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 Board 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 Attorney Jay Crowley, who is a solo practice attorney at Jay Crowley Law, succeeding Director, Joseph Marino. Paralegal Angela Florez has greeted clients and led the case filing  workflow process since March of 2018 and Jeniffer Velasquez joint to our team March 2022. 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 2022, 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

Attorney John “Jay” Crowley III
Attorney of Counsel (Interim)

Attorney Jay Crowley is a solo practice attorney at Jay Crowley Law, LLC with a concentration on Labor & Employment law and human resources programs. He currently focuses his practice on providing legal counsel for nonprofit organizations. Attorney Crowley is also a volunteer attorney with the Pro Bono Partnership representing nonprofit employers and the underserved.

 

View Bio

Angela Florez-Penilla
Senior Paralegal & Outreach Coordinator

Angela Florez has a law degree from Universidad Libre in Cali, Colombia. 

View Bio

Jeniffer Velasquez
Paralegal

Jeniffer is a Paralegal and the Social Media Coordinator at the Immigration Advocacy & Support Center. She is also recent immigrant from Nicaragua.

View Bio

Board of Directors.

Carolyn Patierno

Board President

Sue Goldstein

Board Secretary

Kathy Parker

Board Tresure

Bill Rivera

Board Member

Maureen Hicks

Board Member

Luis Rodríguez

Board Member

Betsy Stevenson

Board Member

 

 

 

Carolyn Patierno — Rev. Carolyn Patierno serves All Souls UU Congregation in New London. She has served on various Boards and committees over the years for agencies such as the Homeless Hospitality Center, Alliance for Living and NL Human Services.

 

 

Sue Goldstein — A retired teacher, Sue worked primarily with immigrant students and their families.  She understands the difficulties that families have culturally, linguistically and economically when they come to the US.  Working with these students and their families was a rewarding and humbling experience that has been a gift!

 

 

 

Kathy Parker — With an MBA from NYU’s Stern School, Kathy worked for over 20 years in finance and market research positions at Pfizer, Inc.  Kathy developed an empathy for “the newcomers” after relocating many times while growing up, including spending 2 years in Puerto Rico.

 

 

 

Bill Rivera — Rev. William (Pastor Bill) Rivera is a volunteer associate pastor for pastoral care at Church of City, New London. His extensive career in the military, human services, and immigration affairs administrator for the State of Connecticut, has been dedicated to learning about, walking along side of, and advocating for immigrant children and families. 

 

 

 

Maureen Hicks — Maureen’s interest in immigration policy and advocacy and immigrant rights was sparked in law school when she worked with the border city project and the  survivors of domestic violence (VAWA) immigration program in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

 

 

Luis Rodríguez — After moving to the United States, Luis Rodríguez has spent over 20 years as a professional in community engagement, higher education, and organizational management. He educates and advocates for equity, diversity, human dignity, and fair justice for everyone. 

 

 

 

Betsy Stevenson — An entrepreneur and former communications executive with Pfizer Inc. and General Electric, Betsy came to recognize the challenges for individuals seeking safety and opportunity in the U.S. when she lived and worked in West Africa.

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