About IASC.

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

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.

View Bio

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

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