Online Resources

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

USCIS is part of the US Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. Information and application forms are available on the USCIS website.

US Dept. of State
www.travel.state.gov

The US Department of State contains a wealth of information about travel abroad, US passports, documenting the birth of an American citizen abroad and the acquisition of US citizenship. It also provides information on the international law obligations relating to foreign nationals arrested or detained in the United States.

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
www.aila.org
American Immigration Lawyers Association
918 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004-1400
Phone: 202-216-2400
Fax: 202-783-7853

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national association of immigration lawyers. AILA member attorneys represent immigrants who are applying for an immigration benefit. Their mission is to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members. The AILA website includes a link to an Immigration Lawyer Search web site.

Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
www.cliniclegal.org
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
415 Michigan Avenue, NE, Suite 150, Washington, DC 20017
Phone: 202-635-2556
Fax: 202-635-2649

CLINIC provide a range of legal and non-legal support services to 161 member agencies comprised of Catholic legal immigration programs. Member agencies serve poor immigrants seeking family reunification, citizenship, and protection from persecution and violence.

Crosscare Migrant Project
www.migrantproject.ie
1a Cathedral Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
Phone: 011-353-1-873-2844
Fax: 011-353-1-872-7003
E-mail: info@emigrantadvice.ie

Crosscare Migrant Project provides services to intending, existing and returning Irish emigrants, as well as immigrants and members of new communities in Ireland. Crosscare is an important resource for anyone intending to move to Ireland whether you are a returning immigrant or someone who has never lived in Ireland before. Check out their “Returning to Ireland” section to get full information on issues that you will need to consider before making your decision. Crosscare also provides information on Emigrating to other countries. Their information books on immigration to the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia provide valuable details on all aspects of moving to these countries.

The Safe-Home Programme Ireland
www.safehomeireland.com
Saint Brendan’s Village
Mulranny, County Mayo, Ireland
Phone: + 353 (0) 98 36036
Fax: + 353 (0) 98 36037
Email: safehomeireland@eircom.net

The Safe-Home Program is a national organization that assists older Irish born emigrants to return to their homeland. They work to secure housing in the voluntary sector that is specifically for the older applicants as near to their original home as possible.

Éan – Emigrant Advice Network
www.emigrantnetwork.ie

Éan is an independent emigration network, comprised of statutory and voluntary agencies, as well as individuals and academics interested in emigration from Ireland and return migration to Ireland. Their aim is to improve the quality of the emigrant experience.

Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants
Columba Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Phone: 011-353-1-5053055
Fax: 011-353-1-6016401
E-mail: emigrants@iecon.ie

A number of Irish websites offer information on issues relating to moving to Ireland from abroad.

For information on all aspects of living in Ireland.
Citizens Information Board
www.citizensinformation.ie

Consulates and Embassies abroad
Department of Foreign Affairs
www.dfa.ie

Diversity, equality and social inclusion
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
www.justice.ie

Immigration, citizenship and visas
Irish Naturalization & Immigration Service
www.inis.gov.ie

Taxes Duties and customs controls
Office of the Revenue Commissioners
www.revenue.ie

Labor Force Development, employment rights & enterprise development
The Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment
www.entemp.ie

Social insurance and social assistance programs
The Department of Social and Family Affairs
www.dsfa.ie

Health care and health services
Health Services Executive
www.hse.ie

Assistance to poor and marginalized in Dublin
Crosscare
www.crosscare.ie

Information on schools & colleges
Department of Education and Science
www.education.ie

Local Authorities information, housing and vehicle registration
Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government www.environ.ie

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aa.org

Alcoholics Anonymous is a self help group whose members assist and support each other to maintain sobriety and help other alcoholics achieve recovery.

Narcotics Anonymous
www.na.org

Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 43,900 weekly meetings in over 127 countries worldwide.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Call 1-800-SUICIDE & 1-800-273-TALK

In the US callers are assisted through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s network of over 120 crisis centers across the nation. Confidential assistance is provided to anyone who calls. For more information about how 800-SUICIDE callers are being efficiently assisted through this network, read our FAQs regarding 1-800-SUICIDE. Lifeline has also introduced a profile on MySpace.

Samaritans
www.samaritans.org

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgmental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
1850 60 90 90 (24 hours) in Ireland

TeenLine
www.teenline.ie
1-800-833-634 (Wed 3pm-6pm; Thurs, Fri, Sat 9pm-12midnight) in Ireland

The Irish Association of Suicidology
www.ias.ie

The Irish Association of Suicidology is a forum for all individuals and voluntary groups involved in any aspect of suicidology for the exchange of knowledge gained from differing perspectives and experiences.

Aware
www.aware.ie

Aware has a national office located in Dublin with regional offices throughout the country. It is a voluntary organization formed by a group of interested patients, relatives and mental health professionals, whose aims are to assist that section of the population whose lives are directly affected by depression.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
www.afsp.org
Toll-free: 1-888-333-AFSP
Phone: (212) 363-3500

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those impacted by suicide.

To fully achieve its mission, AFSP engages in the following Six Core Strategies:
› Funds scientific research
› Offers educational programs for professionals
› Educates the public about mood disorders and suicide prevention
› Promotes policies and legislation that impact suicide and prevention
› Provides programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss and involves them in the work of the Foundation
› Provides programs and resources for people with mood disorders and their families, and involves them in the work of the Foundation

Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas
www.catholiccommunications.ie/icpo/
Columba Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
Phone: 011-353-1-505-3154
Fax: 011-353-1-505-3156
Email: icpo@iecon.net

There are more than 1,200 Irish people in prisons throughout the world. The Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) has contact with Irish people in prisons in more than twenty countries. They work to identify and respond to the needs of Irish prisoners abroad and their families.

J-1 Irish Work & Travel Information from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Boston’s Irish Immigration Center

J-1 students who are traveling to the US to work for the summer are advised to plan their trip carefully. Sponsoring organizations will provide information to assist you to plan a successful trip and all Irish Centersin the US will provide information on jobs and accommodation and assistance if you run into problems.

J-1 Students – Are you prepared for travel to the USA in 2009?

Crosscare Migrant Project in Dublin has a helpful advice leaflet for summer students.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has information for J-1 students on their website.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
USCIS is part of the US Department of Homeland Security and is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. Information and application forms are available on the USCIS website.

Health care in the US is excellent but it is not free. The US does not have the state provided public health services that you find in Ireland and Europe. Many immigrants are access medical insurance coverage through their employer or private health insurance companies.

The Medicaid program is available to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. As a general rule, only “qualified aliens” may be eligible for coverage. For detailed information on the current rules governing immigrants’ eligibility for Medicaid and SCHIP click on this link. Immigrants are advised to seek assistance of their local immigrant center for advice on this issue. Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program for people age 65 or older and for people under age 65 with certain disabilities. More information on Medicare is available on the US Department of Health and Human Services website. Many of the Irish Centers provide referrals or direct assistance for those applying for Medicare.

US Government Resources
The official US Government site that lists a wide range of useful resources for seniors. website

AARP
The AARP is dedicated to enhancing quality of life for seniors. They promote positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service. website

Pension
Irish seniors currently living in the US may be entitled to an Irish / part Irish pension, you can access the application form on line on the Department of Social and Family Affairs website or call:
Irish Pensions Services Office
College Road, Sligo: 011-353-71-9169800.

General contact information:

Department of Social & Family Affairs
Oisin House, Pearse Street, Dublin:  011-353-17043000
www.welfare.ie

The Northern Ireland Social Services Agency in Belfast
01144-2890-336958
www.dsdni.gov.uk

Social Security
Everything you need to know about Social Security can be found at http://www.ssa.gov or by calling 800-772-1213

Veterans’ Benefits
Information about Veterans Benefits can be found at the Department of Veterans Affairs at www.vba.va.gov or call 888-838-7697

The Safe Home Programme
For information on affordable housing options for seniors who want to return to Ireland
Phone + 011 353 98 36036
Fax: +011 353 98 36037
Website: www.safehomeireland.com
Email: safehomeireland@eircom.net

Centenarian Awards
The Centenarian Bounty is an award made by the President of Ireland to citizens who have reached the age of 100 years. The eligibility criteria for the Centenarian Bounty include centenarians who are Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland who are resident outside the State.