Thread: MN-Catholic Charities begins immigration services program

Catholic Charities begins new immigration services program
Published Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona is beginning a new program that provides legal services to immigrants. Catholic Charities’ Immigration Services program will operate from the agency’s offices in Austin, Albert Lea and Owatonna.

Martha Diaz, Catholic Charities’ Immigration Services caseworker, was recently accredited to do this work by the Board of Immigration Appeals of the U.S. Department of Justice. Immigration law allows non-attorneys, like Diaz, to practice immigration law but they must be accredited first and they must work for agencies recognized by the board. The Board of Immigration Appeals recently granted recognized agency status to Catholic Charities.

Before she could be accredited, Diaz underwent extensive training in immigration law and Catholic Charities had to demonstrate its organizational capacity to effectively support this new program. Diaz, who is bilingual in Spanish and English, was formerly a certified court interpreter for Minnesota’s Third Judicial Circuit.

The following services will be provided: adjustment of status, family visa services, citizenship services, consultation, translation and other miscellaneous services. Matters beyond the program’s competence will be referred to immigration attorneys outside of Catholic Charities.

According to Robert Tereba, executive director of Catholic Charities, the goal of the program, “is to provide competent, authorized, and affordable legal services to immigrants.â€

How far can the Catholic Church go into political a agenda before operating outside of its tax exempt status. Counseling people on citizenship issues is just as much political involvement as speaking out for a candidate or on a ballot measure----both restricted activities. They may see it as a humanitarian assistance----but citizenship by definition is a political issue.

They should be reported to the IRS on form 13909.

As in this case Big Religion, the hierarchy of the church, is like any other Special Interest Group, just follow the money. Most Special Interest Groups are only concerned for "their" agenda of profit and/or power, not the people they pretend to speak for or save from harm.

Originally Posted by Captainron

How far can the Catholic Church go into political a agenda before operating outside of its tax exempt status.

Only as far as they support the government agenda. If and when (if ever) their actions are not in accord with the governments desired direction they'll get spanked. Gently of course.