Central American Legal Assistance

Since 1985, Central American Legal Assistance (CALA) has provided free or low-cost legal services to thousands of individuals in New York’s Central and South American immigrant community. The majority of our clients are in danger of deportation. These individuals have fled political, gang-related, and/or state-sponsored violence in their home countries, and many have been subjected to torture. We work tirelessly to ensure that they are recognized for what they are – refugees – and are entitled to remain lawfully in the United States.

CALA has been recognized as one of a few outstanding providers of removal defense in the New York City community. In 2011, the Cardozo Law Review recognized us as one of the largest providers of pro bono/low bono removal defense in the New York City Immigration Court, despite our very small staff of just four attorneys and one accredited representative. See http://www.cardozolawreview.com/content/denovo/NYIRS_Report.pdf In 2014, we were selected by the Immigrant Justice Corps to host two Immigrant Justice Fellows, a selection which recognized us as one of New York’s leading non-profits.