What our clinic can do, what needs an attorney, and where we refer cases we can’t take.
This page is a working reference. Use the jump nav above to move quickly, or read top to bottom before your first shift. When in doubt, ask a supervising attorney — never guess.
The clinic’s case management system for volunteers, interpreters, staff, and partner organizations. Sign in with your account, or request access if you’re a trained volunteer without one yet.
Stop the intake. Get a supervising attorney on the phone.
If someone discloses that ICE is at their door right now, that a family member was just detained, or that a removal is scheduled within days: do not wait until the end of the appointment. Stop the intake, get a supervising attorney on the phone immediately, and give the family the Know Your Rights information on the Families page while you wait to connect.
Everything a family tells you stays with the clinic.
A-Numbers, criminal history, abuse, immigration status — all of it is confidential. Discuss cases only with clinic staff and the supervising attorney, never casually or where others can overhear. Keep physical intake notes in the locked case file, not in personal notebooks or phones. Never photograph or forward documents outside Dignity Toolkit OS.
Four categories. Every case lands in one of them.
Tap a category to see the full list. Refer back to this when a family asks what we can do.
We can support this directly
A trained volunteer can complete this start to finish. No attorney sign-off needed.
Motion to Change Venue
Motion for Continuance
Motion to Reopen (In Absentia Order)
Within the 180-day window, or a no-notice/custody claim.
General Affidavit
Country Conditions Cover Sheet
Declaration of Financial Support & Hardship
Physical Presence Checklist
Letter of Support
Family Petition (Form I-130)
Refer if prior removal order, unlawful entry, or criminal history.
Removal of Conditions (I-751, joint filing)
Waiver-based I-751 (divorce, abuse, hardship) needs attorney review.
Sworn Financial Statement (for bond)
Sponsor Letter
Change of Address (Form EOIR-33/IC)
Always file together with a Motion to Change Venue.
Representation / Appearance (EOIR-28, EOIR-61)
Administrative only
Routine USCIS account and paperwork tasks. Any trained volunteer can help.
myUSCIS account setup
Work permit / EAD (I-765), initial or renewal
Refer if eligibility category is unclear or a prior application was denied.
Fee waiver application (I-912)
Asylum clock / (c)(8) monitoring
Refer if the clock stopped or there’s a dispute about cause.
Biometrics appointment (ASC) support
I-94 record retrieval (CBP)
Social Security number application (post-EAD)
We prepare it, an attorney decides
Volunteers gather documents and draft. A supervising attorney or accredited representative reviews and/or files.
Motion to Reopen (general, on the merits)
Motion for Bond Redetermination
Motion for Change of Custody Status
BIA Appeal (Notice + Brief)
The notice/waiver can be prepared by volunteers; the brief needs an attorney.
Motion for Stay of Removal
Urgent. Refer immediately if removal is imminent.
Asylum / Withholding (I-589)
NACARA Suspension/Cancellation (I-881)
VAWA Self-Petition (I-360)
Safety-critical — always refer to an attorney.
U Visa (I-918)
T Visa (I-914)
Trafficking-related — always refer.
Cancellation of Removal (EOIR-42A/42B)
Adjustment of Status (I-485)
Refer if there are inadmissibility issues, unlawful presence, or pending removal.
Inadmissibility Waivers (I-601 / I-601A)
The hardship statement is always drafted by an attorney.
We refer this out
Not something we prepare. Refer immediately to the named partner organization.
Bond payment assistance
→ Envision Freedom Fund; National Bail Fund Network
Naturalization (N-400)
→ CUNY Citizenship NOW!; Catholic Charities Community Services
DACA (renewal or initial)
→ Catholic Migration Services; ASLAN network
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
→ African Services Committee; Catholic Charities Community Services
Federal court litigation / Habeas Corpus
→ National Immigration Project of the NLG; Immigrant Defense Project
Crimmigration screening (any arrest/conviction)
→ Immigrant Defense Project — always screen before filing anything else
General overflow / capacity exceeded
→ Legal Aid Society – NYIFUP; Catholic Charities; African Services Committee; ASLAN network
40+ partner organizations. Confirm current intake criteria before referring.
Criteria, languages, and intake processes change over time. When in doubt, call first.
A missed deadline can end a case.
When in doubt, treat it as urgent and ask a supervising attorney.
| Deadline | Window | Counts from | If missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion to Reopen In Absentia — exceptional circumstances | 180 days | Date of the in absentia order | Likely denied as untimely |
| Motion to Reopen In Absentia — no notice or custody-based | Any time | N/A | Filed whenever discovered |
| Motion to Reopen (general, not in absentia) | 90 days | Final administrative removal order | Likely denied as untimely |
| BIA Notice of Appeal (Form EOIR-26) | 30 days | Judge’s oral or written decision | BIA loses jurisdiction; dismissed as untimely |
| Work Permit (EAD) Renewal (Form I-765) | Up to 180 days before expiration | Current EAD expiration date | Gap in valid work authorization |
| Asylum Clock / (c)(8) EAD eligibility | 150 days clock; 180 days for EAD | Date I-589 was filed | Work authorization eligibility delayed |
| I-751 Removal of Conditions | 90 days before card expires | Card expiration date | Automatic termination of conditional status |
Guides and PDFs now live in one place.
The family guides, in several languages, and the team’s own materials are kept on two pages of this site.
Guides and references from trusted organizations.
Outside resources, opened in a new tab. They are educational, not legal advice.
Dates for volunteer training sessions.
Add yourself to the calendar to get reminders. Every session is led by someone already doing the work.
This page explains our process in plain language. It is not legal advice and does not replace review by a supervising attorney or accredited representative.
When in doubt, ask a supervising attorney. Never guess.
This is a working reference, not a policy manual. The people who run this clinic are the source of truth.