IASC is a trusted partner for immigrants, agencies, and the community.
Our Mission
The Immigration Advocacy & Support Center (IASC, pronounced “I Ask”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2014 whose mission is to provide low-cost, high-quality immigration-related legal services and to educate communities in Southeast Connecticut on immigration law and policy.
IASC is not affiliated in any way with the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Government.
We focus on “family immigration law”
Permanent Legal Residency
Reuniting parents, children and spouses
Renewing and replacing legal permanent residency cards
Applying for citizenship
Fee Assistance for Immigrant Relief (FAIR)
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) filing fees for immigration cases are prohibitively high for many low-income residents, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. IASC’s FAIR Fund provides direct assistance with fees allowing our immigrant neighbors to reserve limited resources for food and housing. Thank you to donors on behalf of the many individuals and their families who have benefited from FAIR.
$25
consultation
cost
150+
successful
cases
1200+
residents
assisted
200+
consultations
given
Ensuring equal treatment under the law for local residents, regardless of financial status.
Accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice
IASC is the only non-profit in Southeast Connecticut with Bureau of Immigration Appeals accreditation from the Department of Justice. Accreditation allows authorized representatives to counsel immigration clients, complete immigration forms, and represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Other organizations are located an hour or more away and are inaccessible to local immigrants.
Leadership
IASC is led by immigration attorney Joseph Marino, who became Executive Director after Founding Director, Michael Doyle left in September, 2018. Paralegal Angela Florez has greeted clients and led the case filing workflow process since March of 2018. IASC’s active Board provides strategic direction, governance oversight, and financial control.
Volunteers
IASC benefits from the efforts of experienced volunteers, many of whom have worked with the organization since its inception. They provide support services such as bookkeeping and grant writing.
Partnerships
IASC also has benefited from partnerships with many organizations, beginning with the Church of the City (COTC) which provided the initial funding for the organization. COTC continues to provide office space and utilities for IASC. Connecticut College partners with IASC on internship programs, and countless other service organizations refer clients.
Clientele
IASC has served an increasing number of clients each year. In 2020, IASC educated and assisted over 1,050 residents, provided consultations for almost 110 individuals, and managed 119 cases.
Demographics
About a third of clients are from New London, another third from Norwich, and the remainder from surrounding towns. They come from over 40 countries and the majority are either Black or Hispanic.
Donors
Support of generous donors helps immigrants achieve the American Dream. Donations go directly to services for clients including special Fee Assistance, outreach, and administrative support. Click here to see our donors.
Meet the
IASC Staff
Joseph J. Marino, Esq.
Immigration Lawyer & Executive Director
Attorney Joseph Marino is an accredited immigration lawyer admitted to the bar in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Louisiana. Attorney Marino has led IASC since 2018.
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Angela Florez-Penilla
Senior Paralegal & Outreach Coordinator
Angela Florez has a law degree from Universidad Libre in Cali, Colombia. She is an accredited representative with the Bureau of Immigration Appeals.
View Bio
Jeniffer Velasquez
Paralegal
View Bio
Sulfica Taylor
Paralegal & Co-Outreach Coordinator
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Board of Directors.
- Erin Doheny
- Sue Goldstein
- Maureen Hicks
- Kathy Parker
- Carolyn Patierno
- Bill Rivera
- Luis Rodriguez
- Betsy Stevenson
Joseph J. Marino, Esq.
Immigration Lawyer & Executive Director
Attorney Joseph Marino is an accredited immigration lawyer admitted to the bar in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Louisiana. He meets with all clients and is responsible for all case work. Attorney Marino has led IASC since 2018.
Angela Florez-Penilla
Senior Paralegal & Outreach Coordinator
Paralegal Angela Florez has a law degree from Universidad Libre in Cali, Colombia. She is an accredited representative with the Bureau of Immigration Appeals. Angela is bilingual English / Spanish.
Sulfica Taylor
Paralegal & Co-Outreach Coordinator
My name is Sulfica Taylor, I am a Paralegal and Co-Community Outreach Coordinator at the Immigration Advocacy and Support Center (IASC), Born in Haiti, I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialty in Human Resources Management from the University Latina of Panama. Fluent in French, Haitian Creole, Spanish and English, I feel more than happy to be part of IASC and to be able to better serve my community.
As an Immigrant, I always feel sympathy for folks who left their country looking for a better life. Helping them better communicate and understand their immigration process is both rewarding and satisfying.
Non wen se Sulfica Taylor, mwen se yon Asistant legal e Kowòdonatè pou kominate a nan Sant Defans ak Sipò pou Imigrasyon (lASC), mwen te fèt an Ayiti, mwen gen yon Lisans inivèsitè nan administrasyon biznis ak yon espesyalite nan Jesyon Resous Imèn nan Universite Latina de Panama. wen pale franse, kreyöl ayisyen, Panyöl ak Angle, mwen santi mwen vreman kontan pou m fè pati IASC epi pou m kapab pi byen sèvi kominote mwen an.
Kom yon Imigran, mwen toujou santi senpati pou moun ki kite peyi yo kap chèche yon lavi miyo, Lè m ede yo pi byen kominike ak konprann pwosesis imigrasyon yo, pou mwen seyon gro rekonpans ak gran satisfaksyon.
Jeniffer Velasquez
Paralegal
My name is Jeniffer Velasquez. I’m a Paralegal and the Social Media Coordinator at the Immigration Advocacy & Support Center. I’m also a recent immigrant myself from Nicaragua. I began my work at IASC as an intern while completing my studies in Diplomacy and International Relations at Universidad Americana in Managua. The legal processes involved in immigration are complicated and it is important to have good legal representation. I am grateful to IASC for this opportunity to assist immigrants like myself on their immigrant journeys in the United States.
Mi nombre es Jeniffer Velásquez. Soy Asistente Legal y Coordinadora de Redes Sociales en el Centro de Apoyo y Asesoría en Inmigración. También soy un inmigrante reciente de Nicaragua. Comencé mi trabajo en IASC como pasante mientras completaba mis estudios en Diplomacia y Relaciones Internacionales en la Universidad Americana en Managua. Los procesos legales relacionados con la inmigración son complicados y es importante contar con una buena representación legal. Estoy agradecida con IASC por esta oportunidad de ayudar a inmigrantes como yo en sus procesos migratorios a los Estados Unidos.
Community Volunteering.
Food Assistance
IASC volunteers in the preparation of food boxes at the following community pantries, as well as collaborating in the distribution of boxes.
Whalers Helping Whalers
Saturdays 11am -1 pm
81 Washington St., New London, CT
Food for the People – NL Senior Center
Wednesdays 11am – 1pm
120 Broad St,. New London, CT
Hispanic Alliance – Food Pantry
*Registration is required: CLICK HERE
First and third Monday of each month from 4pm-6:30pm
176 State St., New London, CT
