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.” He added, “Clarifying the legal status of immigrants will promote their well being and security and the well being and security of their families. The program furthers our mission to reach out to the marginalized, the alienated, and the stranger throughout our diocese.”

Catholic Charities is committed to providing these services at an affordable fee, which will not cover the full costs of operating the program. Besides Catholic Charities, other funding sources include the Diocese of Winona, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the Sisters of St. Francis, and United Way of Freeborn County.

Services are available by appointment by calling (507) 440-7786.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Winona serves the 20 southernmost counties of Minnesota, spanning the territory from the Mississippi River to the South Dakota border. With a mission to serve the poor and vulnerable, the marginalized, the alienated, and the stranger, Catholic Charities’ staff and volunteers serve approximately 4,500 people a year without regard to religion, race or gender. Offices within the Diocese of Winona are located in Winona, Rochester, Mankato, Worthington, Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna. For more information, visit www.ccwinona.org.