About Us
Our Mission:
Providing comprehensive legal services so immigrants and refugees in Nebraska can thrive.
Our Vision:
Immigrants and refugees in Nebraska are safe, stable and have legal status so we all can enjoy the Good Life.
Our History:
Founded in 2001 to address the growing need for affordable immigration assistance west of Omaha, CLIA made history by filing the first approved U-Visa application in Nebraska. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, CLIA is the only community based grassroots 501(c)(3) certified nonprofit accredited by the Department of Justice. Our dedicated team of experienced attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives are committed to serving individuals across the state.
Who We Are:
We are a team of attorneys, accredited representatives, paralegals, therapists, and support staff committed to helping immigrants and refugees in Nebraska.
As the only nonprofit in Lincoln offering a comprehensive range of direct legal immigration services, CLIA is uniquely positioned to provide the support and expertise our community needs.
Meet the Team
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Mary Choate, Esq.
Executive Director
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Jonathan Rubio
DOJ Accredited Representative & Supervisor
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Alicia Gordin
DOJ Accredited Representative
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Kewan Asaad
DOJ Accredited Representative
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Ellie Woody
DOJ Accredited Representative
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Roxana Luna
Project Coordinator
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Robyn Leatherwood
Staff Attorney
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Francisca Peterson
LMHP, MS
Meet Mary Choate, Esq.
Mrs. Choate, assumed the role of Executive Director at CLIA in 2021. Mrs. Choate's remarkable journey within our organization dates back to her time as a staff attorney in 2017. Her impressive academic background includes a license to practice law in Nebraska and an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Middle Tennessee State University.
Further enhancing her credentials, Mrs. Choate obtained her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Northeastern University School of Law. It was during her formative years as an undergraduate and law student that she first kindled her passion for the nonprofit sector. Engaging in cooperative work, she tirelessly provided invaluable legal services to survivors of domestic violence, solidifying her commitment to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need.
Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Choate has earned the profound admiration of the local immigration community. Her clients consistently express their deepest gratitude for her unwavering support and dedication, underscoring the immense respect she has garnered. With her exceptional leadership and expertise, we are confident that Mrs. Choate will continue to guide our organization towards new heights of excellence.
Whether it's direct legal services, mental health support, education, interpreter training, or employer training, we are dedicated to supporting the immigrant community in Lincoln and across the state.
Our Board of Directors
Laurie Ponce, J.D., Board President, Legal Counsel, Nebraska State Legislature
Katie Bodie, Real Estate Broker for CASA Property Management
Dave Chipman, J.D., Monzón, Guerra & Chipman, Attorneys At Law
Nick Grandgenett, Staff Attorney at Nebraska Appleseed
Jane Langan Mach, J.D., Remboldt Ludtke LLP, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law
Rosanne Liesveld
Jennifer Lorenzen, Ph.D., Professor of Education at Wesleyan University
Kristin Mattson, Ph.D, Assistant Dean of Arts and Humanities and Program Director History Political Science Program
Pim Tubsuwan, Board Treasurer, M.S.-CYAF, Budget Analyst, Department of Health and Human Services.
David Williams, Adjunct Professor of Law at Doane University
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our organization opens doors of equal opportunity for people affected by immigration law through extensive programs and services. CLIA has a staff composed of immigration attorneys, Department of Justice accredited representatives, paralegals, and mental health providers. We offer assistance in Arabic, Dari, English, Pashto, Spanish.
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As a local nonprofit, we are committed to providing accessible legal immigration services to individuals who would otherwise have no access to representation, or who may struggle to afford a private attorney. Our services are designed to be both low cost and pro bono, ensuring that all members of our community have the opportunity to receive the legal assistance they need.
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Fill out an intake form online, which can be found under the become a client page or pick up an intake form at our office.
You should be prepared to provide your phone number, address, the immigration-related concern you have, what country you are from, and when/how you entered the country.
You will be contacted before the following Friday about whether or not we can represent you.
-To become a client follow the link below to fill out an intake form.
-You may also email the form to info@clianeb.org with the subject line New Intake.
-You may also choose to mail us your intake at 3047 N 70th St Lincoln, NE 68507 or drop it off directly.
FORMS HERE
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Our office is not motivated by profit or the bottom line. We were founded to help those who would otherwise not be able to afford quality legal or mental health services. CLIA cares about our clients and our return rate for future services proves that.
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Our office will keep you updated on all notices, appointments, and requests. The client may choose their preferred contact method to better suit their needs.
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-You may contact the office by calling us at (402) 471-1777 during business house. Otherwise you may leave a message and we will return your call.
-You can reach us by email at info@clianeb.org
-You can also reach our staff by filling out our contact form on our website.
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Filing the correct paperwork is an important part of the process of acquiring a visa, getting a loved one residence in the United States and finalizing your marriage to an immigrant, among other procedures. This paperwork is usually extensive and complicated and without the help of an expert, there are lots of opportunities to make mistakes that can jeopardize your entire application permanently.
No matter what your situation is, you have options. Your expert immigration attorney can lay out these options in front of you making sure you understand the full scope of your circumstances.
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CLIA is a nonprofit with services catered to low-income individuals, those who could otherwise not afford legal services, or those who have suffered domestic violence. If you do not meet those criteria we offer a sliding scale to ensure that our services are cost-effective. We have found that our prices are up to 90% more affordable than local immigration attorneys.
Thanks to funding from various donors and grants our office is able to provide direct legal immigration services.
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We have a responsibility to our community and our donors and work hard to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization. We make our IRS Form 990 available for review, as required by law.
-$20 donation will help with mailing
-$60 is our most common donation and helps cover any admin fees
-$100 helps someone apply for work authorization
-$200 helps someone apply for citizenship
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Our office accepts cash, checks, money orders, cashier checks, credit and debit cards.
There is a $30.00 fee for any returned checks. There is also a 3% fee for credit and debit card payments.
Our Partners
