FAQs

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has a program that allows non-attorneys to provide legal aid assistance to immigrants in completing applications to be submitted to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for green cards, citizenship, DACA renewals and other benefits allowed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The center operates under the rules and guidance of The Office for Legal Access Programs (OLAP) which is the branch of the DOJ responsible for overseeing immigration courts and legal practices.

 The DOJ allows non-profit organizations to submit their organization to be recognized as an accredited center. The center must be registered with the IRS and state governments and be willing to offer low-cost, legal aid. There are many requirements that the center must meet before the DOJ will grant accreditation. One of the most important is that the center must submit an application for at least one person to become an accredited representative.

A person must take a nationally recognized course in immigration law, complete and pass all assignments and at the end of the course they must take and pass a national exam. They then must participate in 100 hours or more of on-hand training at an accredited center and have multiple hours of continuing education before they can submit their application to DOJ for approval. The accredited representative must continue to participate in continuing education since their accreditation has to be renewed every three years. Only after receiving their DOJ certification as an accredited representative can a person offer legal aid and advice in completing applications to be submitted to USCIS.

No, we can only help those immigrants that have a legal pathway to obtaining a green card or citizenship or other benefits allowed by INA. There are many immigrants that have legal presence in the United States but not legal status. Examples are: DACA, student visas, tourist visas, work visas, etc. Many of those immigrants use services such as ours to obtain green cards to become Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) and then eventually apply for citizenship. We advise all immigrants on the immigration law and what they must due in order to be eligible to obtain legal status in the United States. We do share the gospel with all who are willing and pray with them as appropriate.

No, accredited representatives can only offer legal aid and submit applications to USCIS for immigration benefits allowed by law. More complex cases and those that involve deportation and court appearances must be handled by immigration attorneys.

No, while all Immigrant Hope centers are sponsored by a church, many by an Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) all centers are their own non-profit (501©3) organization under IRS rules. They are responsible for filing Form 990 Tax Returns annually and paying all payroll taxes as applicable. Many centers are housed in churches since the mission is to share the gospel with all people and churches have graciously offered office space to operate in, however, some centers do operate in office space.

Immigrant Hope Sandhills has one staff person and several volunteers, which is the model for most centers. It currently has three accredited representatives that assist clients that are eligible to submit applications for benefits. It is a non-profit organization so its funding comes from donations, grants, and client fees. Immigrant Hope centers do not receive any government funding.

Yes, there are approximately 15 Immigrant Hope centers in the United States, but we are the only one in North Carolina. The next closest center is in Atlanta, GA or Brooklyn, NY.

You can fill out a volunteer application on our website: www.ihsandhills.org, email us and request an application: ihsandhills @gmail.com or call us at (910) 756-1490.

No. While there will be lawyers actively involved with Immigrant Hope – Sandhills, the government is allowing non-lawyers, who complete the required training to become recognized as accredited representatives, to act as non-lawyer advocates on behalf of immigrants before the Department of Justice. The training requirements are governed by the Department of Justice and administered by leading immigration organizations in the United States.  The accredited representative designation gives immigrants access to qualified people and organizations to provide legal assistance at a lower cost.

Please contact Immigrant Hope Sandhills
IHSandhills@Gmail.com

It is in the Sandhills Assembly Church
6481 US Hwy 1, Southern Pines, NC 28387
The telephone number is (910) 756-1490

Immigrant Hope – Sandhills is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Our EIN is 83-0840536. You can get the information on ways to support us by clicking the “Give” button at the top of this page.

Immigrant Hope is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), created to further the EFCA mission of “multiplying transformational churches among all people.”  Immigrant Hope is based out of Minneapolis, MN, and will guide our center in the Sandhills.

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You would need to call (910) 756-1490 and speak with someone at the office. If no one is available, please leave a message and a staff member will call you back.  During the call, the staff member will ask you questions to determine if we can assist you with your case.  If we can assist you, an appointment will be scheduled and the staff person will advise you of the documents you need to bring to the appointment.  All calls and information are kept confidential between the client and staff at Immigrant Hope – Sandhills.

Please refer to the Services → page for a listing of services we accept and those that we would refer out to a trusted immigration attorney for further assistance.

The initial consultation fee is $25 and takes about one (1) hour.  Additional fees will be incurred depending on the type of application and service provided. All clients will be given an estimate of all fees charges associated with their particular case.  The estimate will include the fees charged by Immigrant Hope – Sandhills and the government fees for the application/forms being submitted.