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IIIC launches J-1 Summer Facebook Page (IrishCentral)

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:49:45 PDT

Are you a J-1 summer student up at 3am and needing help searching for a job? Now the IIIC has a Facebook page dedicated to the J-1 summer students in Boston titled “IIIC J1 Summer Guide to Boston"We are excited to be able to expand these resources this year to the online presence on Facebook This page was introduced in order to provide J-1 students with around-the-clock access to information on jobs, housing, safety, and general information about BostonEvery summer, the IIIC provides access to its Cyber Café and to job and housing resources for the J-1’ers, and this Facebook page should help to reach and assist an even greater number of students READ MORE

Volunteers at the IIIC Make the Difference (IrishCentral)

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:49:45 PDT

Neil Hurley and Attorney Dan Harrington, two of the IIIC's legal volunteersEach week, dozens of immigrant families and individuals lineup at the IIIC’s free, weekly immigration legal clinics At the clinic, they are able to consult with immigration attorneys in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole on a wide range of immigration issues This would not be possible without our volunteer attorneys, interpreters, and note takersVolunteers usually attend at least one clinic a month READ MORE

Keep your USCIS employment authorization current (IrishCentral)

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:49:44 PDT

Q: I have an application pending with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjust my status to that of legal permanent resident I received a work card based on a form I filed back when I applied for permanent residence It’s now looking like my work card will expire before I get my green card What should I do?A: Your work card (what USCIS refers to as an “Employment Authorization Document” or EAD) allows you to obtain a Social Security number and work legally in the United States pending the processing of your application to adjust status READ MORE

Understanding the electoral process as an immigrant (IrishCentral)

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:19:41 PDT

Q: I have a green card and am very interested in the issues and candidates in the upcoming elections for US Senator, Mayor of Boston, City Council, etc Am I allowed to take part in any way, or will I get into trouble with the government?A: First, it is crucial to remember that no one who is not a US citizen may legally vote (or run for office) in US elections Registering and attempting to do so would be viewed by US immigration authorities as a false claim to US citizenship, which can have dire consequencesFederal election laws prohibit all financial contributions and expenditures in connection with elections by “foreign nationals,” which includes individuals, governments, corporations, and other organizations READ MORE

'Grief after Suicide: Finding Hope & Healing' (IrishCentral)

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:19:40 PDT

You may have seen the disturbing report written by Dr Noel Richardson and published earlier this year indicating that Ireland has the highest suicide rate in Europe, with over 260 people taking their own lives on the island of Ireland in 2011 aloneIn Boston, 553 people took their own lives in 2011 We here in WES believe that suicide can be prevented and continue to work hard to prevent it READ MORE

IIIC welcomes J1 summer students to Boston! (IrishCentral)

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:19:39 PDT

J1 students at the IIICWe have seen lots of new faces around the IIIC office in the last few weeks and that can only mean one thing, that the summer has arrived and so too have the Irish students on J1 Summer Visas in BostonThe J1 Summer work and travel program allows full time third level students to enter the US on a J1 exchange visitor program to work and travel anywhere in the US for up to four months READ MORE

Citizenship Initiative at the IIIC (IrishCentral)

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:19:38 PDT

Are you interested in becoming a US Citizen? If you have been a Legal Permanent Resident for the past 4 years and 9 months or longer, or are married to a US citizen for the past 2 years and 9 months or longer, you may be eligible to apply for US citizenshipYou may also have a lot of questions about U READ MORE

Boston Irish Immigration Center continues to lie about their role in turning woman in to State Department (IrishCentral)

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:19:14 PDT

Boston IIIC lied about having reported Irish woman to the State DepartmentThe Boston Irish Immigration Center is lying again about how it handled the issue of the Irish intern they reported to the State Department They seem incapable of displaying any integrityI was prepared to let this matter lie hoping they had enough sense to move on as well but they are still justifying their Big Brother tactics In fact they are now blaming me for the entire incident on their website which would be hilarious except it shows how out of touch they have become READ MORE

IIIC Responds to Recent J-1 IWT NYC Visa Program Incident (IrishCentral)

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:49:24 PDT

In relation to the recent J-1 IWT incident in New York when the IIIC ended the internship program of an Irish graduate we wish to communicate the following facts:1 Could the IIIC have handled the situation better?YES – On behalf of the Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC), I want to apologize for the recent incident involving the Irish graduate in New York City on the J-1 IWT (Irish Work and Travel) visa program under our sponsorship My apology is sincere and unequivocal At the same time however, it is also my responsibility as the IIIC’s Executive Director to clarify this situation now that our dedicated, hard-working staff has repeatedly been unfairly maligned and certain untruths seem to have taken hold as “fact” when they are the furthest from it READ MORE

Green card and passport advice from the IIIC (IrishCentral)

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:49:23 PDT

Q: I recently got married and will be applying for legal permanent residence based on my husband’s US citizenship I have taken my husband’s name, but my birth certificate, passport, and other identification show my maiden name What do I do?A: This actually is a simple issue, but it can be confusing First of all, some people believe that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) require a wife to take her husband’s name when applying for permanent residence READ MORE

Confrontational attitude to young Irish immigrants by Boston center is hard to fathom (IrishCentral)

Wed, 29 May 2013 01:27:18 PDT

By: Irish Voice Editorial

The actions of the Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC) in Boston last week, when they turned in a young Irish woman to the State department for an alleged minor violation of her visa, are hard to fathom.

TDP Wider Horizons Group Graduation (IrishCentral)

Tue, 28 May 2013 05:04:25 PDT

TDP Multimedia Wider Horizons graduatesLast Wednesday, the Tyrone-Donegal Partnership Multimedia Wider Horizons group graduated Not only were the program participants in attendance, but they were supported by their host families and employers It is truly amazing to see so many people come together for the success of this group’s program Everyone gathered in the IIIC vault for the celebration and several participants made heartfelt speeches READ MORE

'Upstanding: Stories of Courage' Film Screening (IrishCentral)

Tue, 28 May 2013 05:04:24 PDT

Last Thursday, we were delighted to host the first international screening of 'Upstanding: Stories of Courage' The film is an innovative reconciliation piece for schools relating to previously uncovered ground of the peace building effort in Northern Ireland It featured 10 diverse accounts from people who stood up to violence, discrimination or prejudice in Northern Ireland Their individual strength and the difference that they made through their actions are well depicted in the film READ MORE

Immigration medical exams advice (IrishCentral)

Tue, 28 May 2013 05:04:24 PDT

Q: I am filing for legal permanent resident status, based on my marriage to a US citizen I understand that a medical examination is part of the application process Why is that necessary? Can I just get the exam done by our family doctor?A: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires medical examinations in order to determine whether there are any public health-related issues that would affect a prospective immigrant’s admissibility to the United States The exam can identify medical conditions that require follow-up care and the physician will ensure that required vaccinations have been administered READ MORE

Young Irish woman turned in to U.S. authorities by Irish immigrant support group - Boston-based Irish International Immigrant Center does the unspeakable (IrishCentral)

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:19:00 PDT

IIIC informs on Irish intern in New YorkA Boston-based, Irish government funded immigrant’s rights organization has turned a young Irish girl in to US authorities because she worked in a bar in contradiction of her visa termsThe Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC) received $253,000 in Irish government funding to help immigrants in 2011 READ MORE

Irish International Immigrant Center Citizenship Class (IrishCentral)

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:49:14 PDT

According to recent census estimates, more than half of nearly one million immigrants in Massachusetts are US citizens; 22,812 became citizens in 2011 alone And nationwide, forty-five percent of immigrants are US citizens If you are among those eligible but are apprehensive about the process, let the expert staff of the IIIC help! Our experienced instructors work to prepare students for the 100 question exam and the application interview while taking the time to discuss civic engagement with the class and encourage students to take an active role in their communities US Citizenship has many benefits including no restrictions on travel outside the United States, the right to vote, the chance to sponsor family members to come to the U READ MORE

Film Screening on Northern Ireland, May 23rd (IrishCentral)

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:49:13 PDT

Please join us at the Irish International Immigrant Center as we screen the new Irish film 'UP Standing: Stories of Courage from Northern Ireland' This feature had its premiere two weeks ago in Belfast and the IIIC has been selected to host the next broadcastIn 'UP Standing,' ten diverse accounts of people are exposed as they stood up to violence, discrimination and prejudice in Northern Ireland The event will take place at the IIIC office at 100 Franklin Street, Lower Level 1, Boston 02110 on Thursday, May 23rd at 6pm READ MORE

Wider Horizons Profile: Gemma Harte (IrishCentral)

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:49:13 PDT

Gemma Harte“Beyonce hasn’t got a patch on them,” says Gemma, reflecting on the singers she heard during a trip to Morningstar Baptist Church in Mattapan “It was brilliant, so exciting for a service” The Dubliner was here in Boston on the Springboard Wider Horizons programThe Wider Horizons Program brings young adults between the ages of 18 and 28 to Boston and places them in six week community service internships READ MORE

Congratulations Spring 2013 Home Health Aide Graduates, Teachers and Musicians (IrishCentral)

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:49:12 PDT

We had a wonderful Graduation Party on Tuesday at our Quincy venue, Hancock Park, in Quincy Center This was our 15th Course to graduate with over 460 home health aides being trained since 2009 and over 83% of these all getting work as a result!We had a wonderful evening celebrating, presenting certificates, eating delicious food while enjoying great music of some Irish classic ballads and rousing crowd pleasers played by Maureen McNally and Max Courtney Check out our party pictures on our Facebook page!We are so grateful for all the continued support from the office of the Consulate General of Ireland in Boston as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland!Many thanks to all of our students for your hard work, humor, great food and generous donations! Good luck in the job hunt and keep an eye out for our employment updates via our HHA Facebook page and Employer and Education Open day eventOur wonderful teachers Maureen, Bridget and Norah (helped by Judy!), thank you all so much, again, for your continued hard work and dedication each and every week on each and every course! A special thanks to Richard Welch and Richard Coughlin and their team at Hancock Park for being our wonderful hosts for the last two courses! We are always made to feel very much at home!It was a night of goodbyes as it was the last course Ann Marie Cugno and Kielan O'Boyle would be working directly on for Wellness and Education Services READ MORE

Green card application advice (IrishCentral)

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:34:07 PDT

Q: I’m undocumented and have been married to a US citizen for some time We haven’t gotten around to filing for my green card based on my marriage In the meantime, we’ve had two children born in the US Does this affect my immigration status?A: While your children are US citizens themselves simply by virtue of their birth in the US, this has no automatic effect on your immigration status as the parent READ MORE