Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) is excited to announce a new program that will provide refugees and immigrants with access to low-cost and pro-bono legal immigration services. The LSC New Americans Immigration Program is available to current LSC clients in North and South Carolina.
The program and its teammates will work together with the LSC New Americans Program offices that are in Raleigh, Asheville, and Salisbury, North Carolina and Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Working closely with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and local faith organizations, these offices welcome refugees and immigrants and help them transition into a new life and a new culture.
“I’m very excited. It’s an affordable service that would be beneficial to the individuals and families we serve,” LSC New Americans Program Columbia Area Manager Seth Hershberger said. “We want to offer wrap around, holistic services for our clients.”
The LSC New Americans Immigration Program is currently providing legal services with the guidance of several supervising attorneys. It is set to become a United States Department of Justice recognized and accredited organization capable of independently providing legal services in the new fiscal year.
Some of the services will include helping clients secure their green cards (permanent resident cards), applying for asylum, and helping them bring their families to the United States.
“We’ve got so many clients coming in that need legal assistance,” Hershberger said. “With this program, instead of paying attorneys, we have been approved to provide the assistance ourselves.”
“I am grateful for the diligent work of Seth and the team to make this dream a reality for the New Americans Program,” LSC New Americans Executive Director Matt Hembree said. “We are excited for the possibilities of what is to come with this fabulous program that will benefit those in need that we serve every day.”
