DMCA offering free legal services to Haitians

In an effort to support the worldwide relief effort currently underway to assist Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, the San Antonio-based immigration law firm of DE MOTT, MCCHESNEY, CURTRIGHT & ARMENDARIZ has found a way to help those Haitians living and working here in the U.S. find temporary refuge. The firm announced today that they will submit Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications free of charge for any qualifying Haitians in the South Texas area. TPS – used rarely by the U.S. Government as a way to help countries that have experienced some type of devastating event – is just one of the many ongoing support efforts from the Department of Homeland Security (DPS) for Haitians. “This is a disaster of historic proportions and this [TPS] designation will
allow eligible Haitian nationals in the United States to continue living and working in our country for the next 18 months,” said DPS Secretary, Janet Napolitano (pictured left), in a statement released on January 15, 2010. (full statement can be found at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1263595952516.shtm).

LANCE CURTRIGHT, Immigration and Nationality Law specialist and partner of the nearly thirty-five year old firm, is hopeful that this small service will help the overall relief effort in Haiti. “We here at DE MOTT, MCCHESNEY, CURTRIGHT & ARMENDARIZ are deeply saddened by the events that occurred in Haiti and desire to help. Therefore, we are extending pro bono legal services for Haitians already here in South Texas.” Interested parties may contract CURTRIGHT directly or any of the firms 8 other lawyers by calling or visiting either of the San Antonio locations.