Immigration & Refugee Services
Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey’s Immigration & Refugee Program provides services across the state of New Jersey.
Our main office is located at:
189 South Broad Street
Trenton, NJ 08601
Phone: 609.393.4900
Fax: 609.393.1111
Immigration Program
The Immigration Program of Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey provides a full range of high-quality immigration legal assistance and counseling to low-income immigrants, including: immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, English as a Second Language (ESL) program for refugees, civics and citizenship classes for immigrants, and employment support for asylees and refugees. The Program is accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals and is recognized as a provider of low cost immigration legal services for those unable to afford a private attorney. The Program is staffed with an immigration attorney, a BIA accredited representative, a legal assistant, as well as sseveral support services staff members.
Our Immigration Program has been providing high-quality immigration legal assistance to low-income immigrants since the late 1980’s, always holding to the highest standards of professional, low-cost immigration legal services. Each year, we assist over 1500 persons with a wide variety of immigration legal needs.
In addition to providing direct legal service, we can conduct informational lectures for community groups and agencies upon request. Using our expertise and experience, we also work together with local, state and national agencies to address immigration issues on a policy level and to advocate on behalf of all immigrants.
Refugee Services
Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey Refugee Resettlement Program is the largest program of its kind in New Jersey. For over 60 years, we have extended hope and hospitality to the world’s refugees, those persons forcibly uprooted from their homes and displaced. We receive refugees from all corners of the globe and offer resettlement services without regard to national origin, race, or religion.
LSM/NJ provides a full range of supportive services to newly arrived refugees during their first few months in this country to help ensure the transition from refugee camp to the U.S. is successful. LSM/NJ provides basic support services for newly arrived refugees, including: housing, counseling, interpreting, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, and finding gainful employment. The LSM/NJ Resettlement Program often partners with the refugees’ relatives or local churches to assist with the refugees’ resettlement in the U.S.
The Refugee Resettlement Program is primarily funded by the U.S. Department of State through contracts with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) and Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM). LSM/NJ provides employment services for refugees and asylees with funding from the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement through a contract with the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Family Development.
For refugee facts and statistics, please visit the UNHCR – the United Nations Refugee Agency website at www.unhcr.org.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The difficulties of adjusting to a new country are multiplied when the person is unable to communicate in the language spoken in that country. Learning to navigate the health system, public transportation, the school system, and especially the culture of a new workplace, can be a challenge to any newcomer. Without the language, these tasks can seem overwhelming, even impossible.
LSM/NJ offers an English as a Second Language Program for newly arrived refugees and asylees to provide them with survival English language skills needed to function in the workplace and in the community. LSM/NJ also offers civics and citizenship classes for immigrants.
LSM/NJ’s ESL Program provides a non-threatening environment for refugees to acquire basic English skills while learning about small talk, form filling, talking on the telephone, going to the doctor, shopping, banking, paying bills, transportation and employment. Graduates of the ESL Program can enroll in the ESL Civics class.
LSM/NJ’s ESL Civics and Citizenship classes provide low level ESL, basic computer skills, and multi-level preparation for citizenship, serving refugees and members of the local community, especially those intending to apply for U.S. Citizenship.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our ESL Civics and Citizenship classes, please contact our ESL Program Manager at 609.393.4900, ext 18.
Volunteer Opportunities:
There are several volunteer opportunities available in LSM/NJ’s ESL Program. Work with individuals or small groups within the ESL classes and computer lab. Tutor individuals requiring extra help with their preparation for citizenship. No foreign language skills necessary.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our ESL Program Manager at 609.393.4900.