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Status

ALERT: The CSS and LULAC/Newman filing period ends December 31, 2005. 

Background: Commencing May 24, 2004, and continuing through December 31, 2005, thousands of long-term immigrants around the country have the opportunity to apply for legalization of status under the 1986 IRCA. This legalization opportunity results from settlements reached in the Catholic Social Services v. Ridge and Newman v. Department of Homeland Security (formerly LULAC v. INS) class action cases in 2004.

On January 23, 2004, the federal district court in Sacramento, California, approved a settlement of the CSS class action (PDF document). On February 17, 2004 a federal judge approved a final settlement in the Newman (LULAC) case.

The government issued a formal press release announcing the CSS and Newman(LULAC) legalization program on March 22, 2004. At that time, the government also released a public notice explaining the program and made legalization application forms and instructions available in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("CIS") offices nationwide and its web page. All necessary forms are also available on this site.

Be sure to read the FAQ and the December memorada.

CSS and Newman/LULAC Frequently Asked Questions - Class Member FAQ Updated 12/05.

December 2005 CHRCL memorandum to attorneys re: approaching filing deadline (PDF).

December 2005 CHRCL memorandum to class members re: approaching filing deadline, etc. (PDF; English/espanol).

Forms

I-687 (10/26/05 Edition - fillable PDF)

UPDATED Instructions and Application for Status as a Temporary Resident.  Includes Class Membership Form. CIS WILL NOT accept editions prior to 4/30/04.

Form to Gather Declarations (PDF)

Use this form to gather information for sworn declarations in support of class membership and residency applications

I-690 (PDF)

Application for Waiver of Excludability; LULAC/Newman class members must file I-690 with I-687.

I-765 (Fillable PDF)

Application for Employment Authorization. Class members wishing employment authorization should file with Form I-687. CSS and LULAC/Newman class members who were issued employment authorization under the interim relief programs are entitled to one free renewal of employment authorization. All others should include filing fee.

I-693 (PDF)

Medical Report of Examination; Supplemental to Form I-687.

USCIS Forms and Fees Webpage

Official CIS forms are also available for download at the CIS website. Check CIS website for current filing fees as they change fairly often.

List of attorneys and community-based organizations familiar with the CSS & Newman/LULAC cases.

Below are PDF files containing a list of attorneys and community-based organizations that attended CHRCL's training on applying for benefits under the CSS & Newman/LULAC settlement agreements. Please note that the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law does not endorse any of the attorneys or organizations that appear on the lists. The Center encourages class members to retain counsel knowledable about the settlements and CIS application pro.

• Los Angeles. CA Attorney List (PDF)
• Dallas, TX Attorney List (PDF)
• Orlando, FL Attorney List (PDF)
• Miami, FL Attorney List (PDF)
  
• Houston, TX Attorney List (PDF)
• Monterey, CA Attorney List (PDF)
• San Francisco, CA Attorney List (PDF)
• San Jose, CA Attorney List (PDF)
• San Diego, CA Attorney List (PDF)
  

Background