There are many non-profits that help Buffalo immigrants. Some of these notable nonprofits are:
International Institute in Buffalo
The International Institute in Buffalo serves thousands of immigrants each year. It offers integration, refugee resettlement, and employment programs; provides services to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking; offers translation and interpretation services to break down barriers, presents global education programs for students, adults, and businesses, and hosts international visitors.
Many visitors to the Institute are new to America and come to learn English and job skills. Some learn to become interpreters or to seek refuge from oppression.
The International Institute started after World War I when 15 million people immigrated to America. The Young Women’s Christian Institute (YWCA) established international institutes across the country to provide social and humanitarian services.
The YWCA established the International Institute of Buffalo in 1918 to work with female immigrants. In 1934, the International Institute of Buffalo became a nonprofit organization helping women, men, and children.
“In 2006, the Institute incorporated the former Buffalo/Niagara WorldConnect, an organization that hosted international visitors and provided global education programs to a variety of audiences.
WorldConnect was a member of the World Affairs Councils of America and the National Council for International Visitors). The International Institute of Buffalo maintains these memberships and directs programming aligned with their goals.”
Some of the ways the International Institute in Buffalo helps immigrants are:
New American Integration
“The International Institute believes that refugees and immigrants are critical to the economic strength of Western New York. The foreign-born are reversing population decline, driving workforce and small business growth, supporting innovation and homeownership, and expanding the cultural richness of our community.”
Survivor Support
“If you are a survivor and need help. Please call us at 716.883.1900. Or call the New York State Hotline at 1-800-942-6906. Our services are free. We will not call the police. Survivor Support offers safe, free, and confidential services for those affected by domestic violence and human trafficking.”
Interpreting & Translation
“The International Institute provides reliable, quality foreign language interpretation in more than 100 languages and by multiple delivery methods: in-person, video, or telephone. Interpretation services may be requested for any time, 24 hours per day, seven days a week, independent of the Institute’s business hours.
Translation and localization of written content are available in more than 60 languages from qualified and certified translators.”
Education and International Visitors
“The Institute’s educational programming is designed to enlighten learners of all ages about global events, how the world is represented in Western New York, how culture affects behavior, and how to work with diverse cultures.
Whether the participants are from the US or abroad, they will find engaging resources to help them explore and connect. The programs also promote an appreciation for diversity, as well as understanding, sensitivity, and tolerance for one another.”
Catholic Charities of Buffalo
Another immigration nonprofit in Buffalo is Catholic Charities of Buffalo. Established in 1923, this organization helps immigrants with the:
- Completion of Affidavits of Relationship or Affidavits of Support for individuals attempting to reunite with family members left behind
- Green Card and naturalization applications
- Travel document application
- Citizenship classes
The Catholic Charities of Buffalo help all immigrants, regardless of their religious background. They also help on a non-sectarian basis.
Journey’s End Refugee Services
Journey’s End Refugee Services “is a not-for-profit refugee resettlement agency that provides social and legal services to refugees and low-income immigrants in Upstate New York. The Immigration Legal Services Program at Journey’s End provides comprehensive pro bono immigration legal services to refugees, asylees, parolees, and other low-income immigrants.”
Contact an experienced immigration lawyer in Buffalo, New York to learn more about Buffalo immigration resources and organizations. For any legal issues involving green cards, deportation, and other immigration forms, applications, and cases.
Applicants for a green card (adjustment of status) in the US, normally must have a medical examination. The exam can’t be done by any physician. The medical exam must be done by a physician authorized by a physician approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
“USCIS designates certain doctors (also known as civil surgeons) to perform the medical exam required for most Green Card applicants. Military physicians are authorized to perform immigration medical exams at a military treatment facility within the United States for U.S. veterans, members of the U.S. military and designated dependents.”
Outside of the United States, immigration medical exams must be conducted by a panel physician – which is different than a civil surgeon. The US Department of State designates panel physicians when immigration medical exams are required as part of the processing of a visa at a US Embassy or consulate.
What do applicants need to bring to the immigration medical exam?
Applicants need to bring the following items. An experienced immigration lawyer can explain if anything else is required and what these documents mean:
- “Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- Government-issued photo identification, such as a valid passport or driver’s license. If you are 14 years old or younger, bring identification that shows your name, date, and place of birth, and parent’s full name. Possible forms of identification include your birth certificate (with an English translation) or an affidavit.
- Vaccination or immunization record (such as DT, DTP, DTaP, Td, Tdap, OPV, IPV, MMR, Hib, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella, pneumococcal influenza, rotavirus, and meningococcal disease)
- Medical insurance card (check with the doctor’s office to make sure the office accepts your medical plan).”
- Payment. Applicants should check with a few doctors to find the best price
What happens at the Exam?
The doctor will conduct a physical examination and medical history. The doctor will test for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
When the exam is finished, the doctor will complete Form I-693 and seal the form in an envelope for you to submit to USCIS. The applicants are entitled to a copy of the completed form.
Applicants have the right to notify their local state medical board if the doctor’s behavior or actions are questionable. Applicants can also make an appointment wither the local field office if they question the exam or the form I-693.
Doctors Near Buffalo, New York
A search on the USCIS physician locator form – in May 2020 revealed the following eligible local approved Buffalo physicians.
St. Lawrence Clinic
Dr. Pearay Ogra
25 Roma Avenue
Buffalo NY 14215
716-989-7235
5.67 miles away
Northeast Medical, P.C.
Dr. Tajinder Pal Singh
2865 Genesee Street Suite 1
Cheektowaga NY 14225
716-262-0616
7.95 miles away
www.northeastmedicalpc.com
WNY Medical PC
Dr. Qamrunnisa Rahman
4979 Harlem Road
Amherst NY 14226
716-923-4380
8.81 miles away
Dr. Alfredo Rodes
1310 French Road
Depew NY 14043
716-923-4380
9.42 miles away
Dr. Qamrunnisa Rahman
8770 Transit Road
East Amherst NY 14051
716-689-7546
14.22 miles away
Dr. Kapil Chatrath
325 Essjay Road
Williamsville NY 14221
716-630-1163
11.03 miles away
www.wnymedical.com
Trinity Medical Primary Care
Dr. Peter McQuiller
3041 Orchard Park Road Suite E
Orchard Park NY 14127
716-627-8100
8.91 miles away
www.trinitymedicalwny.org
Preston Health Care
Dr. Adebukola Abiola
626 North French Road Suite 5
Amherst NY 14228
716-564-3600
12.36 miles away
www.prestonianhealth.com
Moog Family Wellness Center
Dr. Lisette Deon
7060 Seneca Street Plt 23 Floor 1
Elma NY 14059
716-687-4000
12.45 miles away
Contact your experienced immigration lawyer in Buffalo, NY to discuss when a medical exam is required, what happens at the exam, and which doctors to see for the exam.
The main jail for ICE detainees in Buffalo is the Buffalo (Batavia) Service Processing Center. This jail is located at: 4250 Federal Drive; Batavia, NY, York
Inquiries about detainees housed in this facility can be made by phoning (585) 344-6500 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Callers should have the detainee’s biographical information available including their full name, aliases, date of birth, and country of origin. Detainees can’t receive incoming calls.
In emergencies, callers who need to get in touch with a detainee should “call (585) 344-6500 and leave the detainee’s full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.”
The facility is accessible to people with disabilities, including detainees.
Posting A Delivery Bond
If a person who been taken into ICE custody and placed into removal proceedings, it may be possible to post a delivery bond. The person posting the bond should have a valid government-issued photo ID, passport, military ID, driver’s license, LPR card, or other proof of identity. The person posting the bond “is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents them self before an officer or representative of this agency whenever a request is made.”
Bonds can be posted at an ICE ERO bond acceptance offices, Monday through Friday (excepting public holidays) from 9 am to 3 pm, New York time. ICE ERO bond acceptance offices can be found at this link- here.
The person posting the bond should know the detainee’s last name and alien registration numbers. Payment for the bond should be made by cashier’s check, money order, or certified check unless the bond payment is $10,000 or more (which requires a cashier’s check or a certified check). The Payee is the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Visiting Hours
Friends and families can visit a detainee:
• M-F. 9 am – 11 am. 1pm-3pm. 6pm-8pm.
• Sat and Sun – 9 am -11 am. 1pm-3pm.
Visitors should check in a half-hour early so they can be processed through security. They should have a valid and verifiable government ID. Visits are only for up to one hour. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Attorney Visits
Lawyers for the detainees can visit their clients between 8am and 4pm or by making arrangements through the facility.
Consular Visits
Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time though prior arrangements should be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible. The consular officials should bring appropriate credentials.
Clergy may also visit a detained at any time – providing prior arrangements are made with the Chaplain’s Office.
Visiting Restrictions
The Buffalo Servicing Center will enforce the following visitor restrictions:
• All family or other social visits are Non-contact.
• No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
• If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
• All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
• Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
• Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.
Visitor Searches
Anyone entering the facility is subject to a:
• Pat-down search of their belongings
• An inspection of their possessions
• A metal search
No weapons of any kind are permitted.
No electronic devices such as cell phones are permitted in the facility’s secure areas.
Incoming mail may be searched. Anyone sending a package to a detainee should contact the deportation officer at the facility beforehand.
Other Nearby Facilities:
• Orange County Correctional Facility
• Albany County Correctional Facility
• Allegany County Jail
• Chautauqua County Jail
• Clinton County Jail
• Wayne County Jail
Contact your experienced immigration lawyer in Buffalo to learn how you can help anyone who is detained at the Buffalo (Batavia) Service Processing Center.
The US Immigration & Customs Enforcement Field Office for Buffalo, New York is located at: 250 Delaware Avenue, Floor 7; Buffalo, NY, 14202. Their contact information is:
- Email: Buffalo.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov
- Phone: (716) 464-5800
Its area of responsibility is – Western, Central & Northern New York State
ICE was created formed in 2003. It currently has more than 20,000 law enforcement and support personnel – in over 400 offices in the US and across the world. The agency’s budget focuses on:
Homeland Security Investigations (HIS)
This department is the main investigative unite with nearly 10,000 employees including 6,7000 special agents and 700 intelligence analysts in 210 US cities and 78 offices overseas.
The HIS, “conducts transnational criminal investigations that protect the U.S. against threats to its national security and brings to justice those seeking to exploit U.S. customs and immigration laws worldwide.”
The legal authority of HIS includes investigating cross-border criminal actions including investigating cash and weapons smuggling, cybercrimes, child sex exploitation, commercial fraud, theft of intellectual property, narcotics smuggling and trafficking, identity fraud, benefit fraud, human rights violations, counterterrorism, transnational gang activity, and visa security.
HIS works with federals, state, and local law enforcement departments.
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
This office focuses on threats to American security and the integrity of the immigration system. It targets convicted criminal aliens, people who have violated the nation’s immigration laws such as people who entered the country illegally after being removed, and “immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.”
Deportation officers of the ERO who are assigned to INTERPOL target foreign fugitives wanted for crimes abroad who and who are now in the US. The ERO manages all parts of the immigration enforcement process such as:
- Identification and arrest
- Domestic transportation
- Detention
- Bond management
- Supervised release – including alternatives to detention.
ERO also removes aliens ordered removed from the U.S. to more than 170 countries around the world.
For example, ERO’s ICE Air Operations Division “provides commercial and chartered aviation support, both domestically and internationally, to all 24 ERO Field Offices strategically located throughout the United States, providing air transportation to transfer aliens to designated detention locations and/or to staging sites in order to accomplish removal flights to aliens’ countries of origin.”
Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA)
This department has more than 1,000 lawyers and serves as “the exclusive representative of DHS in immigration removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review.” OPLA litigates removal cases.
It also advises ICE personnel on “their customs, criminal, and immigration law enforcement authorities, the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, ethics, legal liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act, and a range of administrative law issues, such as contract, fiscal, and employment law.”
Management and Administration (M&A)
This directorate provides the infrastructure needed for ICE operations – such as identifying and monitoring performance measurements, employee recruitment, and coordinate ICE’s administrative and managerial functions.
M&A maintains’ ICE’s budget, expenses, facilities, procurement, and compliance programs. It also provides and implements ICE’s IT infrastructure and it collaborates “with internal stakeholders to increase diversity, guarantees timely responses to Freedom of Information Act requests and supports the agency’s training needs.”
Contact an immigration attorney in Buffalo if you or a loved has been arrested or is being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Buffalo, NY.