“You shall treat the stranger who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you, have the same love for them as for yourselves; for you too were once strangers in a strange land.” Leviticus 19:33-34

The Migrant, Immigrant and Refugee Assistance Program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse will carry out the Christian mission to welcome the stranger and comfort the afflicted by providing newcomers in the Diocese with legal and administrative immigration and refugee assistance.

Migrant, Immigrant & Refugee Assistance Program

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse established MIRA in 2000 in response to the growing number of immigrants moving to West Central Wisconsin. MIRA is accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide a range of immigration counseling and representation to immigrants and their families. MIRA helps persons in west central Wisconsin to understand immigration law and learn to exercise their rights under the law.

The MIRA program is designed to advise and guide clients through the immigration process in an efficient, effective, and professionally caring manner. MIRA considers client participation critical to successful immigration processing and involves all clients fully in their own cases.

Client Responsibilities

• Full and total cooperation
• Truthful with all information disclosed
• Remain in close contact with us alerting us to relevant changes

Naturalization Services

MIRA accredited staff is available to help persons determine eligibility for United States citizenship. Basic requirements for U.S. citizenship include:

• Lawful permanent Residence in the U.S. for at least 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
• Actually reside in the U.S. for at least one-half of the last five years
• Good moral character
• Basic knowledge of U.S. history and civics
• Ability to understand, speak, read and write basic English, subject to limited exceptions

VAWA Immigration Petitions

VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), immigration petitions for undocumented persons is a service that is available in the Stevens Point office.

Client Fees

With private and public funding for immigration counseling programs being scarce, additional funding is provided by the La Crosse Diocesan Annual Appeal. Our program depends on fees paid by our clients. Fees for service are agreed upon by the caseworker and client. Our fee schedule is reasonable and we ask all clients to cooperate in paying any fees before we complete their cases. Clients must pay all fees required by the U.S. CIS in order to process their case.

Confidentiality

Our Program staff respect the confidentiality of all information disclosed by clients. Information is never released to outside parties unless the client has expressly granted his/her written permission. All clients are given a case number and telephone inquiries are only answered when the case number is given.

How can I get more information or make an appointment?

Services are available in our La Crosse and Stevens Point offices.

Download brochure in either English or Spanish version.

Photograph Courtesy Catholic Charities USA, Alexandria, VA
All prints remain the property of Catholic Charities USA.