Our History
American Gateways has served the Central Texas immigrant community since 1987. Founded as the Political Asylum Project of Austin (PAPA), we began as a dedicated group of volunteers working to serve increasing number of refugees fleeing war in Central America. Since then we have grown to provide a broad range of immigration legal services to low-income individuals and families throughout the region. Our new name reflects our expanded services and our objective of promoting the rights of our clients through every portal of immigration relief.
What We Do
LEGAL SERVICES
American Gateways is one of the largest immigration legal services providers in Texas. Our clients receive culturally sensitive, trauma-informed legal representation from start to finish of a case. Our staff are experts in the areas of:
- Asylum (for individuals and families fleeing persecution in their home country)
- Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) Petitions (for battered spouses, parents, and/or children)
- T Visas (for survivors of trafficking)
- U Visas (for survivors of certain types of violent crimes that occurred in the U.S.)
- Representation before the San Antonio Immigration Court
- Permanent Residency and Naturalization
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Family-based Petitions
American Gateways is also the only nonprofit in the state to provide legal orientation, immigration workshops, and pro bono legal representation at four immigrant detention facilities. Our Austin office serves the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor, Texas. Our San Antonio office serves the South Texas Detention Complex in Pearsall, Texas, the Karnes County Residential Center for families in Karnes City, Texas, and the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EDUCATION
A central feature of our mission is to engage and educate immigrant communities, as well as local stakeholders, about immigration law and process, individual’s rights within this process, and forms of relief for which an individual might be eligible. In addition to regular trainings and presentations within the Austin area, our outreach team regularly travels to more rural communities such as Bastrop, Marble Falls, and Giddings to provide services and speak with local community groups and train social service providers and law enforcement.
Our volunteer network is made up of hundreds of highly-skilled attorneys, doctors, counselors, and other professionals who donate their time and expertise to help us further our mission. This talented group of professional volunteers at American Gateways significantly amplifies the impact of your donation.
Apply Here: http://www.americangateways.org/get-involved/