Solidaridad Central Jersey
Our Mission
The mission of Solidaridad Central Jersey is to empower immigrants by providing assistance in filing relevant applications for asylum and other forms of legal status, while supporting them through the legal process.
What We Do
Pro Se Clinic (Pro Se means “For Oneself”)
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We operate a Pro Se Clinic to assist our immigrant neighbors in filing applications for asylum and/or other legal protections for which they might qualify.
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We assist our neighbors in the submission of their claims and remain available to them throughout the legal process.
Our clinic supports the neighbor; they make the decisions about their case.
Work Permits
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We assist our neighbors and their family members to apply for and renew their work permits.
Court/ICE Check-in Appointments Preparation Team (CAPTs)
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We help our neighbors understand what to expect at immigration court hearings and ICE check-ins before they go
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We accompany our neighbors to immigration court sessions
Legal Expertise in collaboration with Make the Road NJ
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We offer twice monthly attorney-led workshops for neighbors about case issues, policy impacts and options.
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Attorneys offer individual legal consultation on a case by case basis.
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We make referrals for legal representation and provide information on legal options, as requested by neighbors.
We are not lawyers and provide no legal advice to our neighbors. Attorneys review applications and provide consultation but are not able to represent individual neighbors. Volunteers receive training from immigration experts prior to beginning their work with our neighbors.
Our Values
No Judgment about:
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Who should be here
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Strength or weakness of case
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Personal story of neighbor, family or community
Respect:
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Human dignity has no levels
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No one is “illegal”
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We don’t save people -we help
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Decisions belong to neighbor
Do No Harm:
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Anonymity
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Confidentiality
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If not sure ask
Solidaridad was created in 2018 by local Princeton/Mercer County volunteers concerned about possible ICE raids that would disrupt the lives of our immigrant neighbors. A rapid response team was created to immediately respond to the home of a neighbor if a raid occurred. It was soon clear that this was not occurring and the primary activity became rides to ICE offices in Newark and Mt.Laurel. By early 2020 a Solidaridad ProSe Clinic was created to support our neighbors with asylum applications. A once a week clinic was established at Witherspoon Presbyterian Church.
When the COVID pandemic caused in-person activity to shut down the Pro-Se clinic went virtual and we have been operating primarily on WhatsApp ever since. We have found this both efficient and flexible and it allows for multiple teams to be operating on independent schedules.