Transferring Credentials and Certifications from Other Countries
Career-focused evaluation of credentials, and counseling on professional licensing and career planning.
Foreign Credentialing Grant Program
Grants up to $1000 toward costs of becoming work-ready in the US.
Legal Resources
ILAP (Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project)
The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project helps low-income immigrants improve their legal status and works for more just and humane laws and policies affecting immigrants.
Checking Case Status
Defensive seekers and affirmative seekers who had an interview and were then referred to court
Online
Defensive seekers and affirmative seekers who had an interview and were then referred to court go here and enter their “A number.”
Phone
Call the immigration hotline at 1-800-898-7180. ILAP has a guide for calling this hotline, available in multiple languages.
Affirmative seekers who have not yet had interview
Online
Affirmative seekers who have not yet had interview check status here and do NOT enter A number, rather enter the receipt number for asylum application (properly called 797, commonly known as “A number paper”).
Phone
Call 1-800-375-5283 (USCIS)
After the initial message, press 1 for instructions in English or just wait to hear the instructions in Spanish.
Press 1 for case status.
Enter the receipt number for asylum application (properly called 797, commonly known as “A number paper”).
Certificate of Translation
Your asylum application and all accompanying documents must be submitted in English. However, it is acceptable to have your Declaration and supporting documents translated from your native language into English. If you need your documents translated, download this certificate which explains what you need to do.
Canada/US Border Issues
The Canadian UN Refugee Agency continues to update their factsheets for asylum seekers on a regular basis – English & French
Regarding the new temporary U.S.-Canada border agreement, while the Canadian government has given assurances that asylum seekers turned back to the U.S. will not be refouled by the U.S. authorities while they wait to be called back to the Canadian border, the terms of the agreement have not yet been finalized.
Download September, 2020 Press Release (English, French, Lingala and Portuguese)
Boston Court Contact Information
Boston Immigration Court
U.S. Department of Justice
Immigration Court
JFK Federal Building
15 New Sudbury Street, Room 320
Boston, MA 02203
Phone: 617-565-3080
Hours: 7:50 am – 4:30 pm
Window Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Monday-Thurs) & 8:00 am – 3:30 pm (Friday)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Boston Office of Chief Counsel
JFK Federal Building
15 New Sudbury Street, Room 425
Boston, MA 02203
617-565-3140
Boston Asylum Office
Boston Asylum Sub-Office
JFK Federal Building
15 New Sudbury Street, Room 600
Boston, MA 02203
617-565-9500
Email: bostonasylumoffice@uscis.dhs.gov
Walk-in Hours: Friday 8:30 am to 12:00 pm
Vision
Resources
Williston-Immanuel Church can sometimes provide up to $50 toward an eye exam through their Community Assistance Fund.
Casco Bay Eye Care – each optometrist has a quota, so Portland Free Clinic rotates their referral calls across each of these branch offices.
Vision for Portland Adult Ed students – once per year Portland Adult Education (PAE), Eyecare Medical Group, Maine Lions Club and Friends of Portland Adult Education provided free vision screenings and eyeglasses to PAE students.
Online
Zennioptical – can get eyeglasses for $10-$15 if you have a prescription
Additionally
The financial issue comes to a head when glasses are necessary, the Lions Clubs often have resources to help, including used eyeglasses which might contain a close enough set of lenses to be helpful.
DHHS social workers may have vision rehabilitation resources, especially if treatable eye problems prevent an individual’s employment.
On a limited basis, people with medical eye disorders and no health insurance or funds can be seen at Maine Eye Center.
Primary Care
Greater Portland Health
(Formerly Portland Community Health Center)
180 Park Avenue 207-874-2141
63 Preble Street (walk-ins only)
Maine Medical Center
22 Bramhall Street
207-871-0111
Mercy Hospital
144 State Street
207-879-3040
Maine Medical Center Family Clinic
272 Congress Street
207-874-2466
Care Partners
241 Oxford Street
207-662-7000 or 877-626-1684
Need card to access free emergency care
Maine Access Immigrant Network (MAIN)
237 Oxford Street, Suite 25A
207-552-1800
Community health workers
Pregnancy & Birth
The Community Doula Birth Program is actively seeking pregnant woman in need of a doula to support the pregnant mother and her partner during the birth. Information about their low-cost program connecting doulas-in-training with low-income families is available on their website.
Maine Families
Free program for families who are pregnant/have a young baby. Educators do home visits and speak with parents about parenting and child development. They also have resources to help with cribs, car seats, etc.
Renforcement de Capacites decisionnelles : Mere – Enfant (the Birth Empowerment Project) A series of multilingual videos aimed to educate health and social service providers and empower perinatal parents to utilize their voice and choice when navigating reproductive healthcare systems. The videos are not meant to offer medical guidance, but rather, explanations of common reproductive health practices and procedures in the United States.
Mental Health & Therapy
For crisis call 774-HELP (4357): Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Greater Portland Health
180 Park Avenue
207-874-2141
Primary care, interpreters available
Gateway Community Services
999 Forest Avenue, Suite 7
207-536-1590
Case management and counseling for immigrants – need MaineCare or insurance
Ingraham Mental Health
237 Oxford Street
207-774-4357
Youth Alternatives – Ingraham partners with communities and individuals to deliver a full spectrum of social services and mental health care that begins prenatally and continues throughout the lifespan.
Maine Behavioral Healthcare
165 Lancaster St. 207-874-1030
12 Westbrook Common, Westbrook 207-856-1500
Provides a seamless and compassionate continuum of care through a community of providers collaborating to promote recovery and the overall mental and physical well-being of those we are privileged to serve.
Opportunity Alliance Adult Mental Health Services
510 Cumberland, Portland
207-523-5049 or 207-553-5800
Mental Health Crisis Hotline
207-774-HELP
Family Hope
Website of mental health resources in Maine
Catholic Charities, Support, and Recovery
Offers case management and care coordination for patients with MaineCare
Center for Grieving Children
The Center’s mission is to provide loving support that encourages the safe expression of grief and loss and fosters each individual’s resilience and emotional well-being. The Center reaches individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, and relies on financial contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, United Way, and special events.
Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services (MEIRS)
222 St. John Street
Portland
207-241-8350
Case Management and mental health services to people with insurance.
Medical Bills
Tips Regarding Medical Bills You Receive
If:
You have medical bills that you cannot pay OR
They are bills you believe are not accurate
AND:
You are preparing to file for asylum but do not yet have your “A”-Number issued by USCIS (Immigration) AND
You intend to stay and live in Maine
There is help!
If the bills you received were from Maine Medical Center, Maine Health, Greater Portland Health, Nordx, or Spectrum, follow these steps to cancel the bills:
First: Apply for MaineCare. Online at: www.mymaineconnection.gov. You will receive an application MaineCare ID number showing you have applied, even if you don’t have an eligibility appointment and decision yet. Or you can apply in person at the Maine Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) at the Jetport but you might have a long wait before you speak with someone.
Second: Apply for Free Care. Go to Maine Medical Center (22 Bramhall Street, 207-887-5100 or 335 Brighton Avenue (going towards Westbrook, 207-662-8000). Ask for the Financial Services office, and tell them you need to apply for Free Care.
When you apply for Free Care take with you:
A letter from the shelter (if you are staying there) saying you are living there and that you intend to find a permanent home in Maine; OR if you are living in your own apartment or house, a piece of mail with your name and address on it (an electric bill, a letter from the clinic, or from USCIS);
Your DHHS MaineCare application ID number even if you do not have a decision yet.
A print-out from General Assistance with how much you have received in the past few months.
Maine Health will process an application for Free Care, and will send you a letter saying you are unable to pay and that the bills should stop coming.
Third: Call the Billing Department and explain you applied for Free Care and MaineCare, you are waiting for their decision and you want them to cancel your bill.
Fourth: When you get the decision mail them a copy.
Billing Departments:
Spectrum Medical Group: 800-213-8382
Nordx 207-396-7820 or 888-393-4243
Greater Portland Health at 207-874-2141
Maine Health at 1-866-804-2499 or 207-887-5100
Dental
Community Dental
190 Park Avenue
low cost/free preventative and emergency care
207-874-1028
UNE Oral Health Center
716 Stevens Avenue
207-221-4900
UNE Dental Hygiene Clinic
716 Stevens Avenue
207-221-4900
The Root Cellar Dental Clinic
94 Washington Avenue
207-774-3197
Only for residents of Munjoy Hill
Maine Dental Association
207-622-7900
Free Dental Day – usually in November
Greater Portland Health
207-874-2141
Car Seats
Maine Car Seat Program (document)
Safety seat distribution sites:
Located throughout the State of Maine, these sites provide child safety seats to families meeting WIC income guidelines. Parents are taught to properly fit the safety seat to the child and how to correctly install the safety seat in their vehicle by a certified CPS Technician. You must have a current State of Maine Driver’s License or State Identification.
Safety seat fitting stations:
Located throughout the State of Maine, these sites provide parents with education about keeping their child safe when riding in the car by correctly using a child safety seat or safety belt. One-on-one lessons are offered by a certified CPS Technician explaining the correct use and installation of car safety seats and safety belts.
For a location near you, visit: Bureau of Highway Safety OR Safe Kids Maine
The Maine Law
Maine’s Child Passenger Safety (CPS) law is one of the strongest in the country. The law requires that:
Children who weigh less than 40 lbs. must ride in a child safety seat;
Children who weigh less than 40 lbs. must ride in a child safety seat;
Children who weigh at least 40 lbs., but less than 80 lbs. and less than 8 yrs. old, ride in a federally approved child restraint system;
Children who are more than 8 yrs. old and less than 18 yrs. old and more than 4 feet 9 inches in height should be properly secured in a safety belt and;
A child under 12 yrs. old and who weighs less than 100 lbs. is properly secured in the back seat of the vehicle, if possible.
Newest Recommendations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released recommendations for children including:
BIRTH – 12 MONTHS. Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear facing seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.
1 – 3 YEARS. Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
4 – 7 YEARS. Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.
8 – 12 YEARS. Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.
Miscellaneous
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
2-1-1
Statewide Service Directory
(877) 463-6207
General Assistance
196 Lancaster Street
(207) 775-7911
Department of Health and Human Services
151 Jetport Blvd., South Portland
(207) 822-2000
ProsperityME
309 Cumberland Avenue, #205
(207) 797-7890
Courses, workshops, and counseling
Safelink
Free cell phone and service for those who are income eligible
Preble Street Resource Center
5 Portland Street
(207) 775-0026
Showers, laundry, case management, emergency food, mailing address
Laundry Love (Trinity Episcopal Church)
Wash Tub 2 at 449 Forest Ave, Portland (behind Burger King)
(207) 772-7421
Free Washing, Drying, Detergent and dryer sheets!
NOTE: The dates and times are potentially not consistent. As of this writing, there is one scheduled for Weds, Feb 9th, 2022 and it’s not clear if there are others.
The Opportunity Alliance
50 Lydia Lane, South Portland
(207) 523-5049
Case management and crisis intervention and prevention
Family Crisis Services
(207) 874-1973 or 1-800-537-6066
Intercultural Community Center
After school and summer enrichment programs for students in grades 3-8.
Below are additional links to provide you with information to help your mentees with their new life in Maine:
Eligibility for public benefits – MEJP Note: once asylum seekers have applied for asylum and received notice, they are eligible for food stamps and TANF until their employment authorization comes through, about 6 months.
Mentor Self Care
Recently, a WTS mentor sent the following note to our mailing list voicing a common theme:
Subject: Feeling overwhelmed
Has anyone else ever felt this way? I feel like I’m just not doing a good job. How do you put things in perspective?
Several people answered the message and those responses are compiled and condensed in this document. Some topics are boundaries, limits, self-compassion and burnout.
General Assistance
Overview
This document from Family Promise provides an excellent overview of General Assistance.
2019 – Notice to Appear Rule
The Governor of Maine announced a new rule about General Assistance (GA) on July 18, 2019. This new rule means that you are eligible for GA if you have:
a Notice to Appear (NTA) from immigration saying you will need to go to immigration court AND
are planning on applying for asylum.
Complete Flyer