Milwaukee offers a lot of different immigration services and resources. Whether you’re looking to apply for a visa or find support for living in the United States, Milwaukee has programs to assist you.
To navigate the legal aspects of immigration, you can trust these four organizations:
o The Legal Aid Society offers free or low-cost legal services to low-income individuals, including immigrants. They assist with issues like deportation defense, family-based petitions, work permits, and more. While they have limited resources, they are an excellent first point of contact for anyone in need of immigration legal help.
o Services Provided: Assist immigrants with their citizenship status and individuals who are trying to secure asylum or temporary protection in the U.S. It also assists immigrant victims of domestic violence. Catholic Charities Legal Services for Immigrants provides group information sessions at no charge. Legal services are provided and fees for legal counsel are offered on a sliding scale based on an individual’s ability to pay.
- Voces de la Frontera (some but not all Saturdays, 9 –11 a.m.)
o Services Provided: Basic questions answered regarding immigration issues. Additional immigration services are available at a reduced cost. Appointments are required.
These organizations may also offer legal services, but focus primarily on providing resources such as language assistance, cultural integration, job training, and social services:
- UCC provides services to the Hispanic and Latino communities in Milwaukee. They offer programs related to education, health, and social services, including English language classes, youth programs, and assistance with citizenship applications.
Hmong American Friendship Association (HAFA)
- Serving the Hmong community in Milwaukee, HAFA offers a wide range of services, including cultural education, community integration support, and assistance with immigration applications. They also provide health and wellness programs and a variety of community engagement opportunities.
Becoming a U.S. citizen is important for many immigrants, and in Milwaukee these two organizations can help guide individuals through the naturalization process.
- The International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW)
- As mentioned earlier, IIW helps with the naturalization process, including legal representation and citizenship test preparation classes.
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin
- The ACLU offers resources for immigrants seeking to understand their rights and navigate the naturalization process. They also advocate for immigrant rights at the local and state levels.
Milwaukee is a city that appreciates and supports its immigrant community. Whether its legal assistance and language programs, or cultural integration and workforce development, the city is home to a strong network of organizations ready to assist, and immigrants in Milwaukee have places to go that are designed to help.
