The Right Connection - Immigrants/Refugees

Information regarding citizenship and immigration services, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting awareness and understanding of citizenship. Available from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To schedule an appointment visit the website, (800) 375-5283. http://www.uscis.gov

General consultations, family petitions, adjustments of status, asylum and refugee applications, deportation/removal proceedings, citizen and nationality law, non-immigrant visas, work authorizations, translation and housing assistance, transportation, referrals for ESL classes, medical and other refugee benefits, employment services, advocacy for refugees and community education on refugee resettlement is available from the Archdiocese of Detroit Refugee Services Office in Detroit, (586) 416-1113. Website: www.aodonline.org

Help with naturalization through one-on-one appointments with clients in the Catholic Charities of Michigan office (Clinton Township) and through a series of Group Naturalization Workshops. Available from Catholic Chartieis of SE MIchigan, Clinton Township, MI 48038, (586) 416-1113. Website:  www.ccsem.org

Immigration services, citizenship classes, ESL classes, basic and advanced computer classes, translations, interpretations, notary public services, job placement, and vocational classes is available from the Macomb Hispanic and International Service Center, Mt. Clemens. (586) 741-5410.

Immigration/Social Services, Refugee Resettlement, Ethnic Enrichment, Languages/ESL Education is available from The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, Inc., (313) 871-8600 Website: http://www.iimd.org

Assistance for immigrants with visa, documentation and status issues is available from the Piast Institute, Hamtramck. (313) 733-4535 E-mail:info@piastinstitute.org Website:  http://www.piastinstitute.org/about.html

Help in the preparation of documents for the Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for applications for citizenship, asylum, non-immigrant visas and family unification petitions. Clients are also represented before the USCIS and Immigration Court. Available from the Arab American Chaldean Council Immigration & Translation Services in Lathrup Village (248) 559-0960 and Detroit (313) 369-4730. Website: http://www.myacc.org

Citizenship classes are available from the Latin Americans for Special and Economic Development (LA SED), Detroit. (313) 554-2025. Website:  http://www.lasedinc.com

Preparation for qualified individuals for the naturalization process through one-on-one appointments.  Available from the Chaldean Community Foundation, Sterling Heights, (586) 722-7253. http://www.chaldeanfoundation.org

SCHOOL DISTRICT	CENTERS	TELEPHONE
Anchor Bay School District http://www.anchorbay.misd.net	Compass Point Learning Center 51518 Industrial Drive New Baltimore, MI 48047	(586) 725-2205 Ask for Charlene Higgins
Chaldean Community Foundation rachel.hall@chaldeanfoundation.org	Chaldean Community Foundation 3601 15 Mile Rd. Sterling Heights, MI  48310	(586) 722-7253 Ask for Rachel Hall
Chippewa Valley Public Schools  http://www.chippewavalleyschools.org/departments/community-ed/english-as-a-second-language/	Chippewa Valley Adult & Community Education 19230 Cass Avenue Clinton Twp, MI 48038	(586) 723-2000 ext. 7 Ask for Jim Fields
Lake Shore Public Schools http://www.lakeshoreschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=422248&pageId=513121	St. Clair Shores Adult & Education Ctr. 23055 Masonic St. Clair Shores, MI  48082	(586) 285-8880 Ask for Erin Fournier
L'Anse Creuse/Clinton Township	Center for Lifelong Learning at the DiAnne M. Pellerin Center 24001 F.V. Pankow Glvd. Clinton Twp., MI  48036	(586) 783.-6420
Macomb Community College www.macomb.edu	Classes are offered at Center and South Campuses	(586) 498-4121
Utica Community Schools	Utica Adult Education Training and Development Center 7600 18 Mile Road Sterling Heights, MI 48314-3249	586-797-6994 Ask for Debbie Placetta
Warren Consolidated Schools www.wcs.k12.mi.us For ages 20 and up	Flynn Educational Center 2899 Fox Hill Sterling Heights, MI  48310	(586) 825-2900 ext. 29951 (Flynn office) or (586) 698-4305 (Direct line)
Warren Woods (northeast Warren) https://www.warrenwoods.misd.net/our-schools/adultcommunity-education/	Warren Woods Adult Education 13400 12 Mile Road Warren, MI 48089	(586) 439-4408
(No school district)	First Needs Human Care offers ESL classes for Immigrants at Hope Lutheran Church in Warren and Compassion Pregnancy Center in Clinton Township.	(586) 477-1530
(No school district)	ESL classes available for Macomb Community College students only and at the Macomb Community College campuses.	(586) 449-7999 ext. 2

Online classes

A website offering English classes online targeting new U.S. Citizens and Spanish speakers. www.usalearns.org/

Non-Native Speakers

English as a Second Language is available at the English Language Institute (ELI) of W ayne State University (WSU) which teaches English communication, cultural orientation, and academic preparation skills to non-native speakers of English from all over the world. (313) 577-2729. http://www.eli.wayne.edu/

Latinos

ESL classes are available from the Macomb Hispanic and International Service Center, Mt. Clemens. (586) 741-5410.

English as a Second Language is available from the Latin Americans for Special and Economic Development (LA SED), Detroit. (313) 554-2025. https://www.lasedinc.com/

English as a Second Language is available at the English Language Institute (ELI) of W ayne State University (WSU) which teaches English communication, cultural orientation, and academic preparation skills to non-native speakers of English from all over the world. (313) 577-2729. http://www.eli.wayne.edu/

English as a Second Language is available from Latino Family Services, Detroit, (313) 279-3232. http://www.latinofamilyservices.org/

Chinese

English as a Second Language and other language classes are available from the Association of Chinese Americans, Madison Heights, MI. (248) 585-9343. https://acadetroit.org/programs/

Also see “Literacy” Chapter

Elementary, Middle School and High School public education is available through 21 Macomb County school districts to prepare youth for advanced education or the work place.

The following service is also available which provides additional assistance to eligible students:

In-school Individualized Instruction is available free in some Macomb County schools to youth 14 to 21 years who are at risk of dropping out of school.  Services include individualized instruction for students who are deficient in reading and math.  Students must meet income guidelines. Contact your local high school counselor.

GED Certification is available from the Center for Lifelong Learning at the DiAnne M. Pellerin Center, Clinton Township, (586) 783-6420. https://www.lc-ps.org/schools/hs/pellerin-center/

Personal assistance in studying for the GED at the student's pace, not a classroom setting. Students will be ready for the exam when they are done. Available from South Eastern Michigan Indians, Inc., Center Line, (586) 586-756-1350.

Citizenship classes, English as a Second Language classes, social services referrals, translation of documents, interpretation, emergency services program (rent/mortgage assistance, utility shut-off, THAW and MI CAFÉ programs), emergency food assistance, legal assistance, family reunification, National Visa Center Processing, Swearing-In ceremonies, Refugee Medical Assessment Program. The Sterling Heights office offers counseling for victims of torture as well as health services to new immigrants and the community. Available from ACCESS, Sterling Heights, MI, (586) 722-6036. Website: www.accesscommunity.org

Job development and placement, vocational English language training and citizenship services, translation/interpretation services, help with social adjustment, outreach and referral is available from Samaritas, Detroit. (313) 823-7700. Email: info@lssm.org Website: https://www.samaritas.org/

 

Help newly-arrived refugees through their confusing first months in the United States including services such as providing a furnished house or apartment, enroll the children in school, help the refugees apply for Social Security cards and other necessary documents, assist with cultural and social integration into the community, refer the new arrivals to training in English as a second language, and assist with family reunification. Available from Samaritas – Refugee Services, Detroit, MI 48214. (313) 823-7700. Email: info@lssm.org Website: https://www.samaritas.org/

Shelter for refugees seeking political asylum in the United States. Refugees live at Freedom House while their asylum cases are pending before the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Also prepares asylum applications and provides legal representation to refugees before the U.S. Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Federal Courts. For more information, call Freedom House, (313) 964-4320. Email: info@freedomhousedetroit.org; Website: www.freedomhousedetroit.org

Assistance to refugees who are forced to leave their country because of war or political turmoil. Services include sponsorship, immigration assistance, legal services and assistance with resettlement and acculturation, job development and placement, vocation English language training and citizenship services. Available from Samaritas, Detroit, MI, (313) 823-7700 Website: https://www.samaritas.org/

Free legal services to people who are pre-screened and referred by the Eastern Michigan Division of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Detroit. (313) 361-6340. Website: https://www.salvationarmy.org/

Legal services are available for immigrants at the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Detroit, (313) 596-0262. Website: https://lawschool.udmercy.edu/

Acculturation services are available for immigrants or refugees from any country:  

Career services (resume writing, career coaching) English as a Second Language (ESL) Immigration services (Adjustment of status, naturalization, replacement of green card/certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, employment authorization) Information and referrals to other service agenices Mental health services	Available from the Chaldean Community Foundation Refugee Acculturation, Sustainability and Training (RAST), (586) 722-7253. www.chaldeanfoundation.org
Assists new settlers to assimilate/integrate into their new communities ESL classes Sewing classes  Assists with job hunting and job skills preparation Citizenship classes Basic need services (food, clothing, furniture)	Available from the International Friendship Center at Hope Lutheran Church, Warren or First United Methodist Church 5005 Chicago Road Warren, MI For Arabic speakers, call Joy at (586) 277-8820. For more information, call Cynthia Kahn, First Needs Human Care, (586) 477-1530 For basic needs, ESL and Sewing classes, call Cynthia Kahn, First Needs Human Care, (586) 477-1530

An internet site for immigrant services and resources to meet immigrant needs, connect with an immigrant community, or find ethnic events happening in SE Michigan. Go to Welcome Mat Detroit: http://www.welcomematdetroit.org/

A downloadable handbook for immigrants: Welcome to the United States: A Guide of New Immigrants is available at:
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-618.pdf