“I came in with a box of papers and no idea which ones mattered. Wilkin sorted them with me in one afternoon and told me exactly what to bring to court.”
Ramiro T.Immigration court client
Nonprofit immigration clinic
Tell us what's happening. We'll tell you what's possible.
We're immigration lawyers and an accredited representative in downtown Paterson. Choose the line closest to your situation, or take the two-minute check and we'll call you back.
What's happening for you?
- I want a green card for me or my familyPetitions for spouses, children and parents
- I have a court date or a letter from immigration courtHearings in Newark and Elizabeth
- I'm afraid to go back to my countryAsylum and other protection
- I'm ready to become a citizenNaturalization and the interview
- Someone at home is hurting meVAWA and U visas, in private
- I'm not sure where I fitTake the two-minute check
- Free first screening
- Fees set by household income
- Lawyers, never notarios
- Se habla español
Government filing fees are separate. We'll tell you if you qualify for a fee waiver.
What we handle
Four kinds of cases, one front door
Every case starts with the same free screening. If we can't take yours, we'll say so and tell you who can.
Green cards and family
For spouses, children, parents and siblings of citizens and residents, and for survivors of abuse.
About green cards
Immigration court
You've received a Notice to Appear or have a hearing coming. We prepare your defense and go with you.
About court cases
Citizenship
The application, the fee waiver, and practice for the civics test and the interview.
About citizenship
Who we are
Lawyers and an accredited representative, not notarios
In much of Latin America a notario is a lawyer. Here, a notary public can't give immigration advice, and some people use that mix-up to take families' money.
Silk City Legal Aid is a nonprofit. Our two attorneys are licensed, and our accredited representative is authorized by the Department of Justice to practice immigration law at a recognized nonprofit. We'll show you our credentials before you pay anything, and we'll never ask you to sign a form you don't understand.
Before you hire anyone, ask
Are you a lawyer or an accredited representative?
Can I see that in writing?
Will I get a copy of everything you file?
What families told us afterwards
“My husband's petition had been stuck for two years. Milagros found the missing form and explained every letter to me in Spanish.”
Nelly P.Family petition client
“Derya practiced the civics questions with me three times. On the day of my interview I wasn't afraid.”
Daysi M.Citizenship client
Every case is different. What happened for one family doesn't tell you what will happen in yours.
Questions people ask at the front desk
Is the screening really free?
Yes. The first screening, by phone or in person, costs nothing. If we take your case, you'll get our fee in writing before we start. It's set by household income, and some cases cost nothing at all.
Will talking to you put me at risk?
What you tell us stays confidential, and we don't share it with immigration authorities. Sometimes the safest advice is to wait rather than file, and if that's true for you, we'll say so.
Who speaks Spanish?
Milagros Huamaní, Wilkin Almánzar and our front desk speak Spanish. Derya Karaca speaks Turkish and English. For any other language we bring in an interpreter, at no cost to you.
What do I bring to the screening?
Any letters from immigration or the court, your passport or other ID, and copies of anything you've filed before. If you don't have papers, come anyway.
Can you help if someone in my family is detained?
Call us right away. We take cases at the immigration court in Newark and for people held in Elizabeth. We can't take every detained case, but we'll tell you quickly whether we can take this one.
Not sure which line is yours?
Answer a few questions. It takes about two minutes, and a person on our team reads every answer.