http://www.irishcentral.com/topics/Irish+International+Immigrant+Center IrishCentral Irish International Immigrant Center en-us http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/immigration-processing-times-207637471.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/immigration-processing-times-207637471.html Wed, 15 May 2013 05:48:55 PDT
Q: I’m planning to file an application with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjust my status to that of legal permanent resident, based on my marriage to a US citizen I understand that this can take a long time, and I heard that there is a way to pay a special fee to get an application on the fast track Is this true?A: Currently USCIS offers what it calls “premium processing” for a $1225 fee only with regard to certain employment-based visa petitions Other applications, such as those to adjust immigration status based on certain family relationships, are processed on a first-come, first-served basis READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/massachusetts-stands-strong-for-immigration-reform-207636051.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/massachusetts-stands-strong-for-immigration-reform-207636051.html Wed, 15 May 2013 05:33:53 PDT On Friday, May 10, the Irish International Immigrant Center stood alongside leaders of government, business, labor and faith communities to re-affirm the conviction that Congress should pass immigration reform now to strengthen the safety and further the prosperity of all AmericansHeld the day after markup began of the historic, bipartisan immigration reform bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee, the press conference reaffirmed the support of local government, business, labor, and community leaders at a time of public uncertainty in the wake of the tragic and heinous Boston Marathon bombings The press conference stressed the urgency of continuing to move forward with reform, so that families will no longer be needlessly torn apartThe Greater Boston Citizenship Initiative works in partnership with: the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Centro Latino, Irish International Immigrant Center, Jewish Vocational Services, Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers and MIRA coalition READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/a-wonderful-afternoon-at-the-19th-annual-black-and-green-event-207636041.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/a-wonderful-afternoon-at-the-19th-annual-black-and-green-event-207636041.html Wed, 15 May 2013 05:33:53 PDT From left to right: Vivian Deleon, Father John McCarthy, Councilor Charles Yancey, Janice Galloway, Dr Lorna Rinear, Renata TeodoroOn Sunday, May 5th the Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC) along with the Montserrat Aspirers, Inc (MAI) celebrated their 19th Annual Black & Green The event was held at its signature location, the Montserrat Aspirers Hall on Washington St, Dorchester READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/iiic-welcomes-sarah-chapple-sokol-as-their-new-education-coordinator-206493021.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/iiic-welcomes-sarah-chapple-sokol-as-their-new-education-coordinator-206493021.html Tue, 07 May 2013 02:33:37 PDT Sarah Chapple-SokolSarah Chapple-Sokol, a native of Arlington MA, has recently joined the IIIC as the new Education Coordinator Sarah is a graduate of Colby College, in Maine, where as an undergraduate she studied Anthropology and Music She then continued her education and went onto study a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Relations at Lesley University, Cambridge MAHaving grown up in Arlington, New York and outside Burlington, Vermont, Sarah is a seasoned traveller READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/clanrye-wider-horizons-celebrates-their-graduation-206493011.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/clanrye-wider-horizons-celebrates-their-graduation-206493011.html Tue, 07 May 2013 02:33:36 PDT It was a full house at the IIIC!The past six weeks have flown by for the first Wider Horizons group from Clanrye to arrive this year, and last night they marked the end of their time in Boston The completion of the overseas phase of their program was celebrated, as always, by a great graduation celebration at the IIIC The night included some great highlights with Chris McKevitt entertaining graduates and their guests with his guitar and singing skills while Jonjo Moore added a terrific reading of a personally composed poem to the evening’s entertainmentWe would like to express a great deal of gratitude to all of the host families for opening up their homes and to all of the employers who gave these young adults the chance to work in their organizations READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/wider-horizons-profile-tara-hillman-205496021.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/wider-horizons-profile-tara-hillman-205496021.html Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:03:23 PDT Tara Hillman “I ordered a large, and it came back three sizes bigger than I thought it would!” Tara Hillman excitedly jokes, as she tells me about her recent discovery of popular sugary drinks, Slushies The Slushie is just one of many new discoveries for the West Belfast native, who is working in Boston for six weeks as a part of the Springboard Wider Horizons programThe Wider Horizons Program brings young adults between the ages of 18 and 28 to Boston and places them in community service internships The program fosters mutual understanding and reconciliation between Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland and Ireland READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/hope-and-healing-celebration-for-families-in-south-boston-205493261.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/hope-and-healing-celebration-for-families-in-south-boston-205493261.html Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:33:24 PDT I was delighted to be invited to a wonderful evening with South Boston's community leaders and neighbors in the Laboure Center this past Tuesday, April 23rd The topic was "A Celebration of Hope and Healing for families affected by substance abuse" We watched a powerful video and had a wonderful, hopeful discussion about how the vulnerable children and families of South Boston need a voice now more than ever before According to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, approximately 1 in 4 children in the US are exposed to family alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/come-celebrate-with-sr-lena-deevy-and-the-irish-international-immigrant-center-204372851.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/come-celebrate-with-sr-lena-deevy-and-the-irish-international-immigrant-center-204372851.html Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:48:22 PDT
As Sister Lena Deevy steps down after 24 years of leadership of the IIIC, the Irish International Immigrant Center invites all friends, former staff and volunteers to celebrate the invaluable contribution that she has made to the immigrant community in the Greater Boston areaOn the evening of Friday, May 3rd, a party will be held at Florian Hall in Dorchester to mark the occasion of Sr Lena’s transition Since the Center’s inception in 1989, she has worked tirelessly to better the lives of immigrants from Ireland and from across the world READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center-welcomes-media-trainees-on-marathon-monday-204372841.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center-welcomes-media-trainees-on-marathon-monday-204372841.html Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:48:21 PDT Last week, on Marathon Monday, the Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC) welcomed the Tyrone-Donegal Partnership (TDP) Wider Horizons group of twenty young men and women in the midst of the chaos of last week’s bomb explosions The group arrived in our downtown Boston Center an hour before the incident IIIC and TDP staff and local host families provided a warm, home-away-from-home welcomeThese passionate young people will be working in non-profit volunteer internships for the next six weeks, spanning all of the Greater Boston area READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/immigration-scam-advice-204372831.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/immigration-scam-advice-204372831.html Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:48:21 PDT
Q: I hear that there are a number of scams being practiced on immigrants in the US How can they protect themselves?A: There are indeed many immigration scams, with new ones appearing all the time The latest one to come to our attention involves a telephone call to an immigrant from someone claiming to be from US Citizenship and Immigration Services The caller claims that there is some discrepancy in the agency’s information on the immigrant, and that there is a penalty that must be paid to clear it up READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center---keep-your-address-current-with-us-immigration-authorities-203312251.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center---keep-your-address-current-with-us-immigration-authorities-203312251.html Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:03:14 PDT
Q: I recently filed an application to adjust my immigration status to legal permanent residence, based on my marriage to a US citizen We have not yet heard from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) about an interview with them to decide my case Meanwhile my wife and I are planning to move soon to a new apartment We will be filing a change of address notice with the US Postal Service so our mail will be forwarded to the new address READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/19th-annual-black--green-event-202424071.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/19th-annual-black--green-event-202424071.html Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:48:21 PDT
The nineteenth annual Black and Green community building event on Sunday, May 5th, 2013 is co-organized by the Irish International Immigrant Center and the Montserrat Aspirers as a unique afternoon bringing together Boston’s diverse communities for an afternoon of making new friends, discussion, entertainment and sharing a meal It will take place from 2:00 to 5:00pm at the Montserrat Aspirers Hall, 364 Washington St, Dorchester, MA 02124The program will feature music and presentations centering on the theme Immigration: Our Shared History, Stories and Future READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/presentation-on-current-realities-in-northern-ireland-202424051.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/presentation-on-current-realities-in-northern-ireland-202424051.html Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:48:20 PDT This Thursday, the IIIC is pleased to host Angila Chada, BA, Dip, MSc, Executive Director of Springboard Opportunities Limited, for a presentation and discussion on the current situation in Northern IrelandChada’s work over the years has focused on working with communities in an effort to raise awareness, build peace, and promote diversity In a demonstration of her commitment to charitable giving, she established the Raj Darshna Foundation in 2012, which aims to help local young people and the elderly Chada has been at Springboard since its inception in 1992 READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/goodbye-to-the-paper-i-94-form-202424041.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/goodbye-to-the-paper-i-94-form-202424041.html Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:48:19 PDT
Q: I heard that the government is changing the I-94 form requirement for travelers to the US What’s happening with this form? How will I be able to prove that I entered the US legally in the future?A: Starting on April 30th of this year, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will no longer require travelers to US ports of entry by air or sea, with the exception of certain refugees, asylees, and parolees, to fill out the paper I-94 arrival/departure form Instead, CBP will maintain an electronic record based on the information collected by the air or sea carrier prior to departure The paper I-94 form will continue to be used at land border crossings for the time being READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center-volunteer-profile-kathleen-campbell-201156461.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center-volunteer-profile-kathleen-campbell-201156461.html Tue, 02 Apr 2013 05:33:02 PDT “I love the atmosphere and people have been so friendly and hospitable since I started volunteering in February”Kathleen Campbell, a native of Kingston, Rhode Island, joins the the IIIC as our newest volunteer Kathleen works on special projects at the IIIC under the direction of the Executive Director, Ronnie Millar A graduate of English Literature from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Kathleen is just after returning from Northern Ireland where she was working with the Corrymeela Community, a Peace and Reconciliation project that seeks to bring people of all faiths together in a safe place, where they can talk and learn about one another READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center---gambling-201156451.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center---gambling-201156451.html Tue, 02 Apr 2013 05:33:01 PDT
“Even as I approach the gambling hall, as soon as I hear, two rooms away, the jingle of money poured out on the table, I almost go into convulsions” - Fyodor DostoevskySince the passing of the Massachusetts Gambling Bill in October 2011, the debate rages on about the impact that casinos will have on MA residents The Boston Globe has an entire section online dedicated to updates regarding gambling in MA Depending on who you speak to, it’s either a financial windfall that will boost our cash-strapped state or the beginning of the end of our communities as we now know them READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center---what-to-do-after-you-get-your-green-card-201156441.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/irish-international-immigrant-center---what-to-do-after-you-get-your-green-card-201156441.html Tue, 02 Apr 2013 05:33:00 PDT
Q I have just been granted permanent resident status in the US Can you give a summary of my rights and responsibilities regarding such issues as travel abroad, reentering the US, losing my green card, and registering for service in the armed forces?A With your permanent resident status ("green card"), you can live and work legally anywhere in the US READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/join-us-at-st-marks-church-to-enjoy-an-evening-of-music-connecting-ireland-and-boston-200671841.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/join-us-at-st-marks-church-to-enjoy-an-evening-of-music-connecting-ireland-and-boston-200671841.html Fri, 29 Mar 2013 06:02:47 PDT The Clermont Chorale from Dundalk, Ireland will join with Boston City Singers for a concert in St Mark’s Church in Dorchester on Friday the 5th April This will be a special event to raise funds for the Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC) and both choirs are delighted to support the excellent work that the Center does for immigrants, particularly those from IrelandHeadquartered in Dorchester, Boston City Singers trains and inspires the artist, student and ambassador in each child and shares these developed talents throughout the year in public and private performances while venturing to places such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and Washington, DC for goodwill and performance tours Irish choir, Clermont Chorale, was formed in 2003 and has 35 members; drawn from all parts of County Louth and its neighboring counties READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/the-time-is-now-march-for-a-pathway-to-citizenship-200671811.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/the-time-is-now-march-for-a-pathway-to-citizenship-200671811.html Fri, 29 Mar 2013 06:02:46 PDT The IIIC urges you to rally on April 6th at Faneuil Hall at 11:00am with New England labor, community and faith groups Saturday The time is now for our voices to be heard It very important that Irish immigrants in the Greater Boston area show up at this rally and that our voices are heard We will stand together at Faneuil Hall for 30 minutes, and then march to the Federal Building READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/wider-horizons-alumnus-profile-shay-odonnell-198551591.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-community-connections/wider-horizons-alumnus-profile-shay-odonnell-198551591.html Fri, 15 Mar 2013 06:17:24 PDT “The Gathering” is spreading the word to urge Irish emigrants and their descendants to return to Ireland through a large advertising campaign The IIIC is delighted to have known one of the contributors to this great effort: Shay O’Donnell, a graduate of the Tyrone Donegal Partnership’s Wider Horizons program, facilitated by the Irish International Immigrant CenterO’Donnell graduated just last year from the program and is already making waves back home in Donegal The Boston Wider Horizons program, made possible by the International Fund for Ireland, works to empower and educate unemployed young adults, not only through work placements, but also through cultural experiences READ MORE ]]>