Agencies and Partners
The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR)
The UNHCR was established in response to a 1951 treaty on refugees.
From their website “We work to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. Since 1950, we have faced muliple crises on multiple continents, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.” Their website has statistics on the international landscape of refugees and asylum seekers.
Major Federally Approved Refugee Resettlement Agencies in Massachusetts
Ascentria Care Alliance
Ascentria Care Alliance is a member of Lutheran Services in America (LSA), the national umbrella network of Lutheran social ministries that together comprise one of the nation’s largest charities. The agency goals: To break the cycle of poverty and build thriving communities where everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential, regardless of background or disadvantage. Their Unaccompanied Minor Program provides unaccompanied refugee youth with financial support and comprehensive services to assist in their resettlement and adjustment to their new culture, provide for them while they pursue educational goals, and prepare them for eventual independence. Services are tailored to the needs of refugee youth, blending their cultural identity with their new American environment. The refugee youths receive the same child welfare benefits and services as other foster children in the state of Massachusetts. This is the only program for unaccompanied minor refugees in Massachusetts. Offices in Worcester, Brocton, West Springfield, and Waltham.
International Institute of New England (IINE)
IINE’s mission is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. Offices in Boston, Lowell, and Manchester, NH.
Catholic Charities Boston
Catholic Charities Upon arriving in Boston, individuals face daunting linguistic, economic, cultural, and legal challenges. We help arrivals integrate into society by offering support and guidance as they adjust to their new surroundings and become active participants in their communities. The newcomers are provided with a modest apartment furnished with basic necessities; and assisted with acculturation, job placement services and English language training. Along with this critical assistance, refugees receive compassion, understanding and positive reassurance from our staff to help in the attainment of independence and self-sufficiency. Hubs in Dorchester, Lynn, Brockton, Lowell, and South Boston, and many other locations delivering our programs, Catholic Charities Boston is here to support children and families across the region.
Commonwealth Agencies or State-wide Organizations
Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project
PAIR provides the premiere free legal services to asylum seekers in Massachusetts. It provides free legal services to asylum seekers and promotes the rights of detained immigrants. PAIR’s Pro Bono Asylum Program is a leading volunteer program in Massachusetts to recruit, mentor and train attorneys from private law firms to represent, without charge, indigent asylum seekers who have fled their countries after suffering from unimaginable harm. . The goal of the program is to secure safety for every client who has tried to exercise freedoms that we may take for granted. PAIR has recruited, trained and mentored over 3,000 volunteer attorneys to represent asylum seekers and detained immigrants. We provide free asylum intake services. Follow this link to make an appointment.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Immigrants and Refugees
ORI’s mission is to promote the full participation of refugees and immigrants as self-sufficient individuals and families in the economic, social, and civic life of Massachusetts.
MIRA: Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Coalition
MIRA is the largest organization in New England promoting the rights and integration of
immigrants and refugees. MIRA Coalition’s mission is to convene, serve, and organize together with our members, community leaders, and allies for the advancement of all immigrants across the Commonwealth and beyond. MIRA Coalition places immigrant and refugee voices at the forefront to advocate for the well-being of our communities.
Harvard Law School Immigration and Refugee Clinic
HLS Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Clinic, in partnership with Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), has sought to advance immigrants’ rights. Law students take the lead in representing low-income immigrants who are fighting deportation and seeking asylum and other forms of humanitarian protection in the United States. Students utilize a range of legal tools on behalf of their clients, including direct representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community outreach. The Clinic’s team is interdisciplinary. A full-time licensed clinical social worker and social work interns work closely with clinical students, staff, faculty, and clients to ensure the Clinic’s approach is holistic and trauma-sensitive. Students are either placed at HLS or at GBLS, Boston’s oldest legal services organization.
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
De Novo provides client-driven integrated legal and mental health services to overcome the impacts of poverty, inequity, and trauma. De Novo provides legal help in the areas of housing and homelessness prevention, family law/domestic violence, immigration law, and disability benefits, as well as a full range of mental health services and case management to help clients cope with the emotional impact of trauma. De Novo provides many of its services through the efforts of over 120 volunteer attorneys, clinical social workers, psychologists, paralegals, interpreters, student interns and other professionals.
Rian Immigrant Center
Rian (formerly the Irish International Immigration Center) assist eligible immigrants in becoming U.S. citizens, guiding them throughout the application process and representing those with complex cases. They have expert legal staff and pro bono attorneys offer free legal consultations to immigrants, refugees, and asylees, and provide full case representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Project Citizenship
Project Citizenship helps eligible immigrants apply for citizenship! To maximize our impact, we utilize volunteers and pro bono attorneys to staff citizenship workshops to help groups of hopeful citizens complete their applications.