Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)

The Central American Resource Center offers legal assistance with work authorizations; document translations; asylum applications; family visas; and naturalization assistance. The Center also assists with Haiti Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications. Referrals to social service agencies for immigration and non-immigration matters are also available.

Tenant Advocacy

CARECEN acts as a liaison between city agencies and tenants. CARECEN assists tenants in solving housing and health code violations while preventing displacement and abuse. Tenants become familiar with...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal Housing
Service Eligibility: Latinx Race/Ethnicity

Bilingual Dispute Resolution Clinic

As part of an initiative launched in 2011, in partnership with the D.C. Superior Court, CARECEN offers bilingual dispute resolution services on-site twice a month to individuals with employment, consu...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants

Assistance to Crime Victims

Through this program, CARECEN informs Latinos who have been victims of crime or suffered as a result of a crime (such as domestic violence, violent crimes or sexual assault) about their rights and pro...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants

Immigration Legal Services

CARECEN’s legal department helps community members navigate the confusing and intimidating immigration process. The program seeks to facilitate Latino immigrants’ transition to the United States, reun...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants

Civics-focused English Classes

The ESL classes complement the civics classes by providing practice in oral, written and reading English in order to enable candidates to pass the English portion of the citizenship exam. Class activi...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal Education
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants

Citizenship Classes

CARECEN offers quarterly 12-week citizenship classes to prepare eligible individuals for the naturalization exam. The classes cover the knowledge of history and government necessary to answer the 100...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants

Interview Interpretation

Qualified staff members may accompany a citizenship applicant who is eligible for the language exemption (under the 55/15 or 50/20 rule) and provide interpretation services. Those who need assistance...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants

Interview Preparation

Before their appointment, candidates receive an orientation with instructions on what to take to their interview, what to expect, and how to be prepared for their interview. A CARECEN staff member or...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal Education
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants

Tutoring

As the exam date nears, CARECEN offers individual tutoring to those who need intensive practice before their interview. Candidates are paired up with volunteer tutors and they meet at CARECEN, typical...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal Education
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants

Citizenship Loan Program

CARECEN partners with ACCESO, a bilingual branch of the DCGECU, to offer the "New Americans Loan Program", an initiative through which we aim to make naturalization and other immigration related proce...
  • 1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009
Service Category: Legal
Service Eligibility: Latinx Immigrants
Central American Resource Center
1460 Columbia Rd NW Washington DC 20009