Services & Eligibility
Direct Services
For more than three decades, St. Thomas University Human Rights Institute (STU HRI) has established an impressive and award-winning record of successfully managing contracts and grants. This includes long-standing agreements with the government of Miami-Dade County, which began in 1991, and federal funding originating from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
In collaboration with our partner organization, Youth Co-Op, STU HRI plays a critical role in the implementation and management of an integrated service delivery system. This system is designed to promote long-term self-sufficiency and social integration for refugees, new entrants, and their families during their first 60 months in the United States. Youth Co-Op has enlisted STU HRI to provide essential legal services to eligible clients under this federally funded program.
The Refugee Services Program, funded through ORR, is dedicated to helping refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency and social adjustment as quickly as possible after arriving in the United States.
Eligibility for Services
Eligibility for comprehensive refugee services is determined by federal law and includes the following groups:
- Refugees: Individuals granted refugee status prior to entering the United States due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country.
- Asylees: Individuals already in the United States who have been granted asylum by immigration authorities.
- Cuban/Haitian Entrants: Cuban and Haitian nationals admitted to the U.S. under specific humanitarian provisions.
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders: Individuals from Afghanistan or Iraq who worked alongside the U.S. military and were granted special immigrant status.
Additional Services
In addition to federally funded programs, STU HRI also receives funding from Miami-Dade County, which allows the organization to extend services to individuals who do not qualify for federal assistance. These services are available to low- to moderate-income residents of Miami-Dade County who require legal support to address their immigration status.
Through the Immigration Legal Assistance Program, STU HRI offers eligible clients:
- Education: Comprehensive guidance on the immigration process, legal rights, and available pathways to adjust their status.
- Documentation Assistance: Help in preparing, submitting, and obtaining necessary legal and identification documents.
- Referrals: Connections to a robust network of local providers to assist clients in achieving their goals of financial independence and community integration.
By delivering these essential services, STU HRI empowers individuals to establish economic self-sufficiency, integrate into their communities, and contribute as productive members of society. STU HRI remains committed to fostering stability and opportunity for those we serve, ensuring that every client receives the support they need to build a better future.