Legal Aid

Office of Immigration of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee

3227 Division St., Knoxville, TN 37919. Phone: (865) 971-3550. Fax: (865) 971-3575. Email: alessandra@ccetn.org www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprofit/

http://www.ccetn.org/Catholic_Charities_of_East_Ten n/Office_of_Immigrant_Services.html

CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BEFORE YOU PAY AN ATTORNEY

Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Humanitarian Parole, NACARA, Naturalization /Citizenship, P1 or P2 for Afghans, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions assistance.

For general information and appointments, please email Dana Gonzalez (oisadmin@ccetn.org)

For Applications for VAWA/ U and T visas, contact attorney Edith C. Johnson (ejohnson@ccetn.org)

LEGAL AID OF EAST TENNESSEE

Provides FREE legal help to the low-income population in Sevier County.

Civil Legal Assistance/Financial Stability.

Contact: Debra House at 865-251-4956 or dhouse@laet.org. If you have Federal tax problems of any kind, the Legal Aid Society thru their “Tennessee Taxpayer Project” can assist you FREE of charge. To find out more or to get an appointment, call 1-866-481-3669.

Obtain or renew your ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). Another Program offered by the Legal Aid Society is pertaining to Your ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) (1) IF it is not any good after January 1st, 2018; (2) IF Your ITIN has 70, 71, 72, 78, 79 or 80 as the two middle numbers (Example: 900-78-0000); OR (3) IF you DID NOT use your ITIN on a 2014, 2015 or 2016 tax return.

How do you get a new ITIN? Go to www.irs.gov/w7 in the internet. Get Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Fill out one for each person. The W-7 tells you what ID papers you must send with it. Send the package by mail to: Internal Revenue Service, ITIN Operation, P. O. Box 149342, Austin, TX 78714-9342.

LEGAL AID OF EAST TENNESSEE (In Morristown)

1001 West Second North Street

Morristown, TN 37814

423-587-4850 (Ext. 1703)

jarmstrong@laet.org

Provides a wide range of civil matters-based on income and assets.

RURAL LEGAL AID

1-800-483-8457

Administer Justice

With the help of a lawyer, you can get: Legal advice on your questions. Confidence though a next step to address the problem. Peace of mind that freedom from your legal situation is possible. Our team of volunteers believes justice should be available to all, not just the rich.

For a one-time copay of $30.00 you will get clear legal guidance and support on next steps. We serve all types of cases:

Divorce/custody. Landlord/tenant. Debt/collections. Estate planning. Immigration. Criminal Records. And more..

Call 855-818-4554, or visit AdministerJustice.org/GetHelp to schedule an appointment today.

You can get an appointment by phone, via zoom, or in person at:

Cokesbury Church

9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922

Second Saturday of the month from 8:45 am to 12:00 pm

They have an interpreter on site, but when making the appointment, the person needs to say that he/she needs an interpreter.

TIRRC – Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition

Offer services for naturalization, citizenship, DACA renewals, DACA replacement, Legal questions, and renewals of residence cards.

3310 Ezell Rd, Nashville, TN 37211

615-833-0384

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The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added section 287g, authorizing ICE to delegate to State and local police offices their authority to perform specific immigration officer functions. The Jail Enforcement and Warranty service programs are designed to identify and process removable non-citizens arrested on criminal charges and booked into state and local facilities, in order to ensure enforcement efforts remain focused on criminal noncitizens, particularly those who pose the greatest risk to public safety.

Knox and Greene Counties are the only jurisdictions in the state that operate under a 287(G) agreement at this time.

As part of the 287(g) program, once someone has been arrested on federal, state, or local charges, ICE flags the individual for removal and decides whether to request a detainer, or hold, on the person. The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement to conduct immigration screenings and request detainers. A federal immigration judge ultimately decides who will be departed.

Governor Lee signed a bill in April that will be in effect on July 1, 2024, that requires law enforcement agencies to communicate with ICE if they discover people that are in the country illegally. The law is very confusing, but it does refer to the Sheriff Dep department that runs jails, to apply this law if they learn the immigration status of someone that is in their custody for another alleged crime.

Basically , this law was in effect since 1996, but Knox County started enforcing it in 2017. What happens is that when somebody is taken to jail because of a crime that is when they apply the law on them. The police officers are not looking for illegal immigrants, but when a crime is committed (rape, domestic violence, drugs, DUI, burglary, killing, etc.), and the person is arrested and taken to jail, then, at that time, the Sherrif department has the obligation to communicate to ICE that they have an illegal immigrant on custody, and ICE has 72 hours to pick him/her up, and to take him/her to a deportation center, which most of the times is Louisiana . Only at that time the family can present a case in Court, represented by an attorney.

In other words, the police is not there to see if the people are illegal immigrant because of their looks, but if they commit a crime, they will take them to jail, and the law will be applied to them.

If you are illegal in our country, you MUST BE A MODEL CITIZEN. You need to avoid any situation or circumstances that will break the law and are a crime, whether it was not in your country. A repeat traffic violation is grounds for arrest. Once in jail, the Sheriff department will communicate with ICE. Avoiding jail is the most, and the only way to do it is with an impeccable conduct.

Even though our police officers here and Sevier County do not enforce to 287g, our jails do enforce the 72 hours ICE hold, and only ICE can determine the future of the inmate. At that time, the family should not place a bail, because they are going to lose the money. The only place to appeal the case is in Louisiana.

How to apply for child support in Tennessee?

1. Go to www.tn.gov/.../child-support-services

2. You will get a page that says Child Support Programs. On the left, there are
many lines with different boxes. Press the last line which is called
"OUTREACH MATERIAL".

3. In the first line you have the option for the Application of Services in
English or Spanish. Check the English and print the form. The form is very
long.

4. Fill out the form with ALL the information you have and mail it to the office
below in Dandridge, which is the office that serves Sevier County.

5. Below the Application there are different Spanish Boxes. We suggest that
you read them all to be better informed of the process and other additional
information very convenient.

Department of Human Services Child Support Unit
1052 S. Highway 92
Dandridge, TN 37725
4th JD - Dandridge Office Directions
Phone: (865) 471-7901
Toll-free: (877) 987-8200
Fax: (865) 397-5013
Judicialdistrict04.DHS@tn.gov

Tennessee's Child Restraint Laws

Children under one (1) year of age, or any child, weighing twenty (20) pounds or less, must be secured in a child passenger restraint system in a rear facing position, in a rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child safety seat has a higher rear-facing weight rating, usually 30 or 35 pounds, it may be continued to be used in a rear-facing position so long as the child's weight permits.
Children age one (1) through age three (3), and weighing more than twenty (20) pounds, must be secured in a child safety seat in a forward facing position in the rear seat, if available
Children age four (4) through age eight (8), and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions
Children age nine (9) through age twelve (12), or any child through twelve (12) years of age, measuring four feet nine inches (4'9") or more in height, must be secured in a seat belt system. It is recommended that any such child be placed in the rear seat, if available.
Children age thirteen (13) through age fifteen (15) must be secured by using a passenger restraint system, including safety belts.
Provision is made for the transportation of children in medically prescribed modified child restraints. A copy of Doctor's prescription is to be carried in the vehicle utilizing the modified child restraint at all times.
The driver of the car is responsible for making sure that children under age sixteen (16) are properly restrained and may be charged and fined $50.00 for violation of the law. If the child's parent or legal guardian is present in the car but not driving, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for making sure that the child is properly transported and may be fined for non-compliance.

Divorce Online in Tennessee WITHOUT an Attorney.

Do You Qualify for an Online Divorce? If the following statements are true, you qualify to complete your own divorce.

Your spouse is willing to sign the divorce papers.
The divorce is uncontested. (You and your spouse agree on how to divide your property, and all issues regarding children)
Having minor children does not prevent you from completing your own divorce.

Grounds For Divorce: While there are several fault-based grounds for divorce in Tennessee, "irreconcilable differences" is the "no-fault" grounds for divorce and is the most commonly used. DivorceWriter provides no-fault (uncontested) divorce forms.

Tennessee Residency Requirements: If at least one spouse has lived in Tennessee for the past 6 months, either spouse can file for divorce there. Otherwise, as long as at least one spouse was living in Tennessee when you decided to get divorced, either spouse can file for divorce there regardless of how long either of you has lived in Tennessee.

Filing Your Tennessee Divorce: The basic steps for filing your Tennessee divorce with DivorceWriter are as follows:

You and your spouse review and sign your documents.
One spouse files them with the Circuit Court Clerk.
The Judge finalizes the divorce by signing your Divorce Decree.

Division of property & debt, child parenting plan (including child support, visitation and custody), spousal support, and more are covered.

Tennessee Documents and Forms: If you purchase a DivorceWriter Tennessee divorce, you are selecting the following forms:

Complaint for Absolute Divorce or Request for Divorce (Complaint)
Spouses' Personal Information or Both Parties' Personal Information Form
Health Insurance Notice or Notice Regarding Insurance Coverage
Marital Dissolution Agreement
Final Decree
Restraining Order for Divorcing Spouses
Notice of Hearing to Approve Irreconcilable Differences Divorce

If you indicate that you have minor children, you are also selecting these additional forms:

Restraining Order for Divorceing Spouses (Statutory Injunction)
Permanent Parenting Plan
Child Support Worksheet
Title IV-D Information
Wage Assignment Order

If you indicate you don't own buildings or land or a business together or have retirement benefits, you are selecting the Tennessee Supreme Court approved forms; blank versions of these forms are available to download at no charge from the www.tncourts.gov website.

"PAROLE" PROCESS (TEMPORARY STAY) FOR CUBANS, NICARAGUANS AND VENEZUELANS, HAITIANS AND UKRAINIANS.

THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE APPLICATION ARE IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES, BUT THE APPLICATION CAN ONLY BE DONE IN ENGLISH. YOU MUST BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION OF THE SPONSOR(S) AND BENEFICIARY(S) BEFORE YOU START FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION.

THE APPLICATION MUST BE FILLED OUT BY THE SPONSOR ONLY AND USING THE SPONSOR'S EMAIL.
THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES IMMIGRATION OFFICE DOES NOT HELP WITH THIS PROCESS. If you have
any questions you can call AIR (Advocates for Immigrant Rights) in Memphis at 901-432-2685. Or visit them in www.airlegal.org. They also will not be able to fill out the Application for you, just answer questions about it.

Please do not use false information, as they require different documents to prove it. USCIS has the right to review your taxes directly with the IRS.

BASICALLY:
This PAROLE only has a 2-year date . Before 2 years, you have to apply for Political Asylum.
You are granted a permit to work.
You must have a sponsor (support person).
REQUIREMENTS FOR "SPONSOR":
Be a citizen or legal resident.
Have resources to "receive, maintain and support.”
Pass a security investigation.
To determine if you qualify as a SPONSOR, review the following Table and add to your current household the ones you are going to claim. That will give you a total. With that new number, see the amount GROSS should earn (without tax) USCA Table for Sponsors and for Active-Duty Sponsors in the U.S. Armed Forces Petitioning for Spouse
or Child

For All Other Sponsors
Sponsor household size /Active Military service / General population
2 $18,310 $22,887
3 $23,030 $28,787
4 $27,750 $34,687
5 $32,470 $40,587
6 $37,190 $46,487
7 $41,910 $52,387
8 $46,630 $58,287

Add $4,720 for each additional person Add $5,900 for each additional person

REQUIREMENTS FOR BENEFICIARIES:
Be of legal age.
Not being in the USA.
Not have asylum, residence, or other nationality in a third country.
Pass security research.
Not have been deported from the USA.
Not have crossed illegally into the USA, Mexico, or Panama after October 19, 2022.
Have a valid passport.
Comply with public health requirements (vaccines).
PROCEDURE
Complete the I-134A form through myUSCIS in its ENTIRETY AND WITH ALL DOCUMENTS ATTACHED IN PDF FORM.
One form per beneficiary.
There is no cost.
Include beneficiary email.
Organization, company or third party can support. In the case of having more than one person as SPONSOR, in the same way you have to enter all the information of the other / other sponsors. At the end of the Application, to be
sure that it is read correctly, attach a letter (pdf) explaining that there is more than one SPONSOR, and the names of each one.
DOCUMENTS
Balance of the last year, with deposits, opening date and current balance.
Employment letter with job description, salary, and duration.
Tax return.

Detailed list of investments.
All these documents will have to be attached to the Application in pdf form.
PROCEDURE
Once the sponsor is approved, the beneficiary will be contacted by email to confirm biographical information through myUSCIS.
The email will have instructions for the BENEFICIARY to create an account in CBP one mobile. You need to confirm the biographical information in CBP one mobile and add a photo.
If approved, CBP will notify via myUSCIS that it has been authorized to travel within the next 90 days.
TRIP
Each beneficiary must pay their travel costs.
CBP approval does not guarantee entry into the U.S. A customs broker has the power not to validate entry at its discretion.
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For Mexican citizens, we warn that the Consulate on Wheels visits different cities, to facilitate their procedures. Look on the "Consulate on Wheels" page and they will give you the Schedule of your visits. There they will also tell you how to make your appointment, which is by calling 615-262-2511, or directly online by computer.

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Additional Legal Aid Information