A Pittsburgh refugee resettlement group is expanding its immigration legal services, as some immigrants feel anxiety over the Trump administration’s attempts to ramp up deportation.
Hello Neighbor was limited to helping only the people it had directly resettled. Now, with new funding, the group can serve a wider community.
Founder Sloane Davidson said citizenship isn’t always a priority for immigrants, because it’s time consuming and expensive.
But now, she said people are feeling new urgency as the Trump administration targets undocumented immigrants, sometimes arresting citizens in the process. An investigation by ProPublica found more than 170 citizens have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“They were living good lives. They’re happy here. They’re doing everything right,” Davidson said. “They just didn’t see the need, but they see the need now because they’re scared.”
She said their number one request is from people seeking Green Cards.
“In this administration, if you have a Green Card, you’re going to be able to receive more services, there’s maybe less of a target on your back,” Davidson said. “And so we really felt it was important to do everything we could to get this up and running.”
Hello Neighbor has been looking to expand its legal services since before the new administration took office. Davidson said they spent the better part of a year assessing community needs and what services are offered by other providers, reaching out to resettlement agencies across the country to learn best practices, and raising money.
People can go to Hello Neighbor for help with Green Card applications and replacements, citizenship applications, marriage-based immigrant visa petitions, and petitions to bring family members to join those already settled in the U.S.
The services are provided on a sliding scale, based on income.
The group cannot process asylum applications, represent clients in removal proceedings or family law matters, or help with unaccompanied minors, detainment defense, or employment visas.
Initial consultations are free. Davidson said, if her team cannot help, it will refer people to other organizations.
“ If people have questions, we’re a safe space. They can come, make an appointment, and talk and see,” Davidson said. “And it also, I think, will help us understand more of what the needs are.”