GULFCOAST LEGAL SERVICES, INC. IMMIGRATION PROJECT

Immigration intake appointments are scheduled in the St. Petersburg Office, Bradenton, Sarasota, the Family Justice Center in Tampa and other locations.  Call  1-800-230-5920  extension 229 for an appointment.

  

 

 

     Gulfcoast Legal Services, Inc. (GLS) provides free legal assistance in immigration cases for eligible low-income individuals residing in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota Counties.  GLS will handle the following types of cases:

 

Domestic-violence related cases:

VAWA:  An abused spouse or child of a legal permanent resident or a United States citizen may be able to self-petition for legal status in the United States under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) without his or her abuser’s assistance.

Removal of Conditional Residence:  A conditional lawful permanent whose spouse is abusive and will not cooperate in removing the conditional status may be able to ask for a waiver of their cooperation..

U Visas:  An immigrant who has suffered substantial abuse as the result of having been a victim of certain criminal activity and has been helpful in the investigation or prosecution of that crime may be eligible for a U nonimmigrant visa.  U visa status allows victims of domestic violence who cannot self-petition under VAWA because they are not married to their abuser, or their abuser is not a legal permanent resident or United States citizen, to obtain legal status.

T Visas:  Victims of trafficking in persons may be able to petition for a form of legal status in the United States called a T nonimmigrant visa.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status:  Children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by their parents and no longer live with them may be eligible  for special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS).  They may obtain legal permanent residency on that basis if it is not in their best interest to return to their native country.

Asylum:  An individual in the United States may seek asylum in the United States if he or she has suffered persecution in the past or has a well founded fear of future persecution in his or her country.  The persecution must be based on the individual’s political opinion, race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group.

Immigration Court Cases:  GLS assists immigrants in deportation and removal proceedings if there is a defense or waiver available.  GLS will interview those in removal proceeding to determine this.

 

Disclaimer: The GLS web site is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.  Always recheck this site for updated information and supplements, and use other sources to determine if there are more recent developments than those posted here, or if there are special rules for individual jurisdictions.  This web site cannot substitute for the independent judgment and skills of a competent attorney or other professional.  Non-attorneys are cautioned against using these materials to conduct a lawsuit without advice or assistance from an attorney.  Non-attorneys are also cautioned against engaging in conduct which might be considered the unauthorized practice of law.