CLINIC at a glance

Established by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 1988, the Catholic Legal Immigrant Network, sometimes known as CLINIC, offers legal and technical assistance to Catholic Charities offices and dioceses in 121 locations nationwide.

These local offices work through the Bureau of Immigration Appeals to provide refugees and immigrants with educational programs concerning their rights, and provide social and spiritual support.

Local programs frequently are funded through foundation grants. The Catholic network raises between $4 and $6 million annually. Its staff of 51 attorneys and experts is supported by U.S. Catholic bishops through the budget of the U.S. Catholic Conference in Washington.

Some network attorneys in regional offices work directly with the detained through a Jesuit Refugee Service fellowship program, which draws students from Jesuit law schools in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and New Orleans.

Contacts: the Catholic network’s Website: CLINICLEGAL.org

E-mail: national@cliniclegal.org

Jesuit Refugee Service, contact:JRSColey@aol.com.

--Arthur Jones