Our Process
Learn more about what happens when you contact us.
We use a series of steps to assist you. The information below shows what happens at each step, along with timeframes to help you plan ahead. Please be patient, we are working for you. You are not alone on your journey.
1.
Contact Us
- Please review the Do I Qualify requirements first.
- Contact us via email at jamlac@jamlac.org or by calling 303-839-1008.
Once you contact us, our advocate will be in touch with you within two business days.
2.
Meet with Advocate
- Bring all documentation to your appointment.
- Please do not bring children to your meetings.
After meeting with our advocate, we will let you know if we are able to provide you with more services within two weeks.
3.
Consult
You may be scheduled to meet with an attorney.
- This meeting does not guarantee representation; it is an opportunity for the attorney to gather more information and provide legal advice.
- We strongly recommend that you bring all the legal documents necessary to evaluate your case.
After the consult, JAMLAC attorneys will take two weeks to review your documents and determine if they are able to take your case.
4.
Get Representation
If we are able to take your case, we will provide free legal representation for you.
- If a JAMLAC attorney is not able to take your case, we may connect you to a volunteer attorney through our Pro Bono Program.*
*For Pro Bono Program referrals, we cannot help with cases that have a court date within 3 weeks, since that is not sufficient time to get the case matched.
Remember:
Potential Costs
Stay in touch with your attorney/legal team to get informed about the costs associated with some legal cases, including:
- Court filing fees
- Immigration filing fees
- Notice by Publication
- Mediation
- Translation/Interpretation
- Parenting Classes, etc.
JAMLAC does not charge for legal services and we will always work with you to see if fees can be reduced or waived.
You can track your Immigration case status online.
If you have an immigration case pending, click here to check the general status of your case online with your USCIS Receipt Number.
Refer to your receipt notice to find your form, category, and office. For more information about case processing times and reading your receipt notice, visit the More Information About Case Processing Times page.
Here are answers to some of your most frequent questions.
If you do not find the answer you are looking for, feel free to contact us.
PLEASE NOTE: Those requesting our services far outweigh our capacity; therefore, we cannot provide legal representation to all who seek our services.
General Information for Clients
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What cases do you take?
Primarily Family Law and Immigration cases, but through our Pro Bono Program we may be able to help with most general civil legal matters. Click here to learn more.
Do you have a referral list for non-legal services?
We work closely with many organizations in metro Denver to try to help our clients get wraparound services. Please contact our Bilingual Navigator, Aide Salazar (asalazar@jamlac.org) to get referrals for partnering organizations that may be helpful for you.
How can I get an attorney to help me? Do you provide walk-in services or do I need an appointment?
Please review the Do I Qualify requirements first.
To start the process of obtaining an attorney to represent you, you will need to schedule an intake appointment. Contact us via email at jamlac@jamlac.org or by calling 303-839-1008.
If you qualify, the intake appointment will be with our intake advocate, and she will gather all the information regarding your case. Then she will present your case to our family law or immigration attorneys depending on what help you are seeking help for. After, we will get in contact with you to let you know if we will be taking your case or not.
Visits are by appointment only.
Location / Hours
JAMLAC
Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center
913 North Wyandot Street
Denver, CO 80204
303-839-1008
Closed 1st and 3rd Friday of the month
Mon. 9am-12pm, 1-4pm
Tues. 9am-12pm, 1-4pm
Wed. 9am-12pm, 1-4pm
Thur. 9am-11:30am, 1-4pm
Fri. 9am-12pm (2nd and 4th Friday)
What is an ROI (Release of Information), and what does it mean if I sign one?
A Release of Information (ROI) is a statement signed by the client authorizing JAMLAC to speak to another person or organization regarding a client’s case and to request or provide information to them. The ROI gives JAMLAC the ability to provide information or discuss your case only with the specific person or organization authorized.
Is participation in Christian activities required?
JAMLAC clients and volunteers do NOT need to identify as Christians or partake in any religious activities in order to receive our service or volunteer.
Immigration
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Do I have a legal immigration option?
See our green card info sheet.
Prospective applicants should always speak to an experienced immigration attorney before applying for any of the above legal options. Although it may seem like a fairly straightforward process, these applications and processes are highly technical and require careful and thorough legal analysis. Your answers on any application could have long-term implications to your immigration case.
What is DACA?
On June 15, 2012, the secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status.
The U.S. Government is not accepting new DACA applications.
How do I apply for DACA?
The U.S. Government is not accepting new DACA applications, so JAMLAC is not helping people submit first time DACA applications. The U.S. Government is processing renewal DACA applications, so JAMLAC will consider DACA renewal clients.
Please call (303) 839-1008 or visit the Do I Qualify section of this website to fill out the form to request an intake.
What is a U Visa?
In 2000, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act created the U visa to protect non-citizens who have been victims of certain crimes and who have aided law enforcement. The law was created to encourage victims to cooperate with police and prosecutors without the fear of deportation. A U visa provides legal status, employment authorization, and can also provide a path to permanent resident status (green card) in some circumstances.
What are the requirements for a U-Visa?
What is a non-LPR cancellation of removal?
A final option for deportation defense may be available to certain undocumented individuals who have lived in the United States for a long time and have been placed into removal proceedings. You may be able to obtain lawful status and a green card through Non-LPR Cancellation or Removal.
To qualify for cancellation, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You have been living and continuously physically present in the U.S. for at least 10 years
- Your being removed (deported) from the U.S. would cause “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship” to your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, child, or parent; You can show that you have good moral character for the past 10 years
- You have not been convicted of certain crimes or violated certain laws
Unfortunately, you cannot proactively sign up for this benefit. It’s only available to someone facing removal in immigration court. Meeting all the requirements above is just the minimum criteria. There’s also a limit of 4,000 green cards issued annually under this law. In other words, there are many people who satisfy all the requirements but do not receive the cancellation of removal. It’s incredibly important to get the assistance of an immigration attorney experienced with deportation defense and establishing the merits of your hardship.
Victimization
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What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence refers to violent behavior between current or former intimate partners – typically where one partner tries to exert power and control over the other, usually through fear.
It can include physical, sexual, emotional, social, verbal, spiritual and financial abuse.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone. We encourage you to:
• Learn More: thehotline.org/identify-abuse/power-and-control/
• Identify Abuse: thehotline.org/identify-abuse/
• Create a Safety Plan: thehotline.org/plan-for-safety/
• and get help!
What is stalking?
Stalking is the willful and repeated following, watching or harassing of another person. Unlike other crimes, which usually involve one act, stalking is a series of actions that occur over a period of time.
Repeated and unwanted communications through phone calls, mail, emails, or social media sites. Following the victim to work, school, home, or other places where they frequently visit. Repeatedly sending the victim unwanted gifts. Posting information, or spreading rumors.
Supporters
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How do I get involved?
We’d love for you to join our mission and vision by becoming a:
• Donate
• Become a monthly Rise Partner
• Get your business involved as an Impact Partner
Contact our Director of Development, Nikki Koster (nkoster@jamlac.org) to set up a tour and start the conversation.
How is JAMLAC funded?
JAMLAC is funded through a variety of funding sources including individual and family donations, church and corporate partners, foundations, event revenue, and government grants. In addition, JAMLAC relies on volunteer attorneys to extend the mission by providing in-kind professional services. In FY22, JAMLAC had 90 volunteers provided over $190,000 worth of in-kind donated services.
View our annual reports for more specific financial information. We are always open and transparent about our financial situation. Please feel free to email Nikki Koster (nkoster@jamlac.org) with any questions.
Is JAMLAC connected to Mile High Ministries?
While still maintaining a tremendous friendship and partnership with Mile High Ministries, JAMLAC separated from its “parent” non-profit on July 1, 2021, to become its own independent non-profit charitable organization. This was a positive and healthy move for both organizations, and an important milestone in JAMLAC’s history.