Services and Programs

Resettlement Program

Since it was first established in 2004, IRIS has helped nearly 12,000 refugees find hope, hospitality, and a safe haven in the Los Angeles. As the Southern California affiliate of  Episcopal Migration Ministries, IRIS partners with the U.S. Department of State to provide protection, relief, and long-term solutions for refugees and conflict victims who seek sanctuary from persecution.

Each year IRIS resettles hundreds of refugees who are fleeing war, persecution, violence, or genocide. Many of these refugees have been persecuted on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Resettlement is not as easy as it may seem. IRIS provides a range of programs that empower newly arrived refugees with support necessary for successfully starting new lives in Southern California. IRIS provides its clients with services and items they’ll need during their initial months in the United States including cultural and community orientation, enrollment in English learning classes, youth school enrollment, connections to social services, and more.

When refugees arrive in the United States, their journeys are not over. Their journeys of plight have ended, but a journey of new beginnings has just begun.

Immigration Legal Services

IRIS is a Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized office with accredited staff and an on-staff immigration attorney. IRIS provides its clients with professional services, representation and assistance in navigating today’s complex immigration system.  

Our immigration services are provided on a pro-bono or low-bono basis and include: Citizenship/Naturalization applications, Adjustment of Status (Green Cards), Family Petitions, Visa Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Employment Authorization, Visa processing, Consular processing and more.

IRIS is a member of the National New Americans Campaign, a groundbreaking national network of legal-service providers, faith-based organizations, businesses, foundations, and community leaders that is paving a better road to citizenship. Since 2016 IRIS has served as a partner of the “One California” Immigration Services Funding program administered by the California Department of Social Services. 

Preferred Communities(PC) Intensive Case Management

The PC Program at IRIS provides intensive case management to vulnerable populations of newly arrived refugees and asylees to facilitate their achievement of self-sufficiency. Services offered include housing assistance, healthcare navigation, financial management, social adjustment services, family wellness, and more.

Eligible populations can include LGBTQ+ refugees, Special Immigrant Visa(SIV) holders, individuals paroled as refugees or asylees(Ukrainians, Afghans, etc.), Cuban and Haitian entrants, certain Amerasians from Vietnam, trafficking survivors(T-Visa), and certain Lawful Permanent Residents. Please contact irisreception@ladiocese.org for more information.

What We Do

How we help