Alessandra Ceccarelli / Catholic Charities of East Tennessee

Latino Ally

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From left to right: Luis Mata (administrative assistant), Alessandra Ceccarelli (Program Manager), Laura Sanchez Ramirez (DOJ Accrdited Representative), Edith Coral Johnson (VOCA Attorney)

The Office of Immigrant Services (OIS) at Catholic Charities of East TN provides low bono immigration legal services to the local immigrant and refugee community. The only legal service provider in East Tennessee with DOJ-accredited staff, their Knoxville team is comprised of an attorney, two legal representatives and one administrative assistant. They handle cases ranging from naturalization and family reunification to assistance for crime survivors under VAWA.   

With their partners, OIS facilitates events such as Citizenship Day and DACA clinics, and provides information sessions and Know Your Rights events to educate our East TN community on immigration-related issues.  

In the last year alone, OIS Knox assisted over 700 individuals. Serving their clients, especially now, is both challenging and motivating.  In the end, seeing clients receive a life-changing immigration benefit is the best gratification for their work!