Starting October 1, 30 locations throughout the five boroughs will offer free legal services for immigrants.
“Thousands of immigrants who contribute to our economy, our culture, our city are often unable to pursue full citizenship because of prohibitive legal costs,” said Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who announced the services Monday.
Quinn, who was joined by Council Committee on Immigration Chair Daniel Dromm and Committee on Finance Chair Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., said that the confidential, quality counseling will help those applying for green cards, deferred action and U.S. citizenship, and with other legal services.
The City Council secured $600,000 in funding for the program and has partnered with CUNY Citizenship Now!, which already provides free legal services for immigrants at six full-time centers and one part-time.
The program that launches next month will offer weekly or monthly access to lawyers at Council district offices over the next year.
“By placing attorneys in Council district offices where the need for reliable legal services are most needed, Citizenship Now! will have a tremendous impact on our immigrant communities. These services are desperately needed and CUNY Citizenship Now! is extremely well equipped to provide them,” said Dromm.
Seven offices in Queens will have weekly free services, including Dromm’s Jackson Heights office, and two will have them monthly.
Queens Council district offices with weekly services:
James F. Gennaro
185-10 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, 718-217-4969
Daniel Dromm
37-32 75th Street, Jackson Heights, 718-803-6373
Ruben Wills
95-26 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, 718-206-2068
Julissa Ferreras
32-33A Junction Boulevard, East Elmhurst, 718-651-1917
Leroy Comrie
113-43 Farmers Boulevard, Albans, 718-776-3700
Eric Ulrich
93-06 101st Avenue, Ozone Park, 718-738-1083
Peter Koo
135-27 38 Avenue, Suite 388, Flushing, 718-888-8747
Queens Council district offices with monthly services:
Daniel J. Halloran
166-08 24th Road, Whitestone, 718-631-6703
Karen Koslowitz
118-35 Queens Boulevard, 17th Floor, Forest Hills, 718-544-8800
For a full list of locations, visit www.council.nyc.gov/immigration.
