Christian Immigration Advocacy Center

The Christian Immigration Advocacy Center (CIAC) is a non-profit law firm headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The organization provides high-quality, low-cost immigration-related legal services to immigrants and refugees both in the Pittsburgh region and across the United States, often through virtual services.

Mission

CIAC is driven by a Christian mission to welcome and serve immigrant and refugee communities based on biblical principles. The organization believes it is called by Jesus to serve these communities by providing legal support and advocacy in immigration law.

Services Provided

CIAC offers a wide range of immigration legal services, including but not limited to:

• Adjustment of Status
• Asylum applications
• Consular Processing
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Employment authorization
• Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions
• Family-based petitions
• Naturalization/Citizenship
• T visas
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• U visas
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
• Assistance with completing forms
• Representation at asylum interviews and before the immigration court

CIAC serves diverse populations, including domestic violence victims, human trafficking survivors, individuals without legal immigration status, those with criminal histories, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, juveniles, LGTBQ+ individuals, and survivors of torture.

Languages and Accessibility

The organization provides services in Portuguese and Spanish and has access to commercial interpreting services to accommodate other languages.

Financial Model and Support

CIAC operates on a nominal fee basis and also offers pro-bono services to low-income immigrants and refugees. The organization is dependent on donations and support to maintain its low-cost legal practice.

Growth and Impact

Despite launching with modest goals, CIAC has experienced significant growth. From serving a small initial client base, the organization has expanded to serve over 250 clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth underscores the increasing need for immigration legal services in the community.

Charity Rating

The Christian Immigration Advocacy Center has earned a 4/4 Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong performance and transparency as a charitable organization.