Daughters of Wisdom Awards $15,000 Grant to Long Island Immigration Clinic

LIIC Program Manager Celia Quiles with a volunteer team.

Daughters of Wisdom awarded a $15,000 grant to Long Island Immigration Clinic. 

The Long Island Immigration Clinic (LIIC) is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. They advocate for immigrants seeking to obtain legal status in the US. Recognized and accredited by the Department of Justice, they help individuals represent themselves in immigration court, complete asylum applications and employment authorization forms, and identify ways to obtain legal relief from deportation and detention. 

LIIC was founded in 2021. They provide services at no cost and operate under the goal of ensuring someone can walk into court with a compelling application, informed, ready to self-advocate, and empowered to do so. 

Volunteer Immigration Attorney Sister Eileen McCann, CSJ helping an individual.

2024 was a big year for LIIC. Some accomplishments included responding to over 1,000 inquiries, holding Know Your Rights workshops for the community, and growing their team. 

Their upcoming agenda includes responding to 1,200 inquiries for services or referrals, recruiting and training 50 volunteers, offering educational opportunities to 300 unduplicated participants, completing and submitting 60 work authorization applications, 110 asylum applications, and continuing advocacy efforts for immigrants. 

Case Manager Noelia Delgado with a client/immigrant friend.

“The grant is being used to support the Director's salary, which to date, has been in-kind of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph,” said LIIC Director Sr. Janet Kinney, CSJ.  

Eventually, they aim to hire a layperson for the role, as a religious sister may not always be in this position. 

LIIC has been a recipient of a Wisdom Grant in the past and was recommended for a 2025 grant by the late Sr. Ann Gray, DW.