FAQs
General FAQs
- Can I still access your services if I am not Hispanic?
- Can I still access your services if I am not Catholic?
- How do I get help if I don’t speak Spanish or English?
- Why should I volunteer?
- What volunteer positions are available at Hogar Immigrant Services?
- How many hours do I volunteer each week?
- What should I do if I have more questions?
Education Services
- Who will I teach?
- What will I teach?
- Where will I teach?
- When will I teach?
- What is required to be a teacher?
- Do I have to be bilingual to teach English?
- Do I need previous teaching experience?
- What training is involved?
- How long am I expected to teach?
- What resources are available to help me with my teaching?
- Can I do something else besides teaching?
Legal Services
- How do I start an immigration case with Hogar Immigrant Services?
- How much is a consultation?
- My family member is detained, what can I do?
- Where can I find immigration forms online?
- Does Hogar Immigrant Services do translations?
- Is my priority date current?
- How can I get a green card?
- How can I become a U.S. citizen?
Still have questions? Email us at info@hogarimmigrantservices.org or call 703-534-9805 Tuesday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.
Can I still access your services if I am not Hispanic?
YES! We provide services to immigrants from everywhere regardless of country of origin, religious affiliation, ethnic background, or language. back to top
Can I still access your services if I am not Catholic?
YES! We provide services to immigrants from everywhere regardless of country of origin, religious affiliation, ethnic background, or language. back to top
How do I get help if I don’t speak Spanish or English?
Hogar staff speaks a number of different languages. If you speak a language that is not spoken on staff, please bring a translator with you when you come to the office. back to top
Give back to your community! Reach out and change someone’s life by helping them advance in US society. It is also a great opportunity to meet other wonderful people who care, like you! back to top
What volunteer positions are available at Hogar Immigrant Services?
We need volunteers in all three departments of Hogar-Education Services, Legal Services, and Social Services. All of these positions are essential to the program. Take a look at the descriptions in the Get Involved section and tell us which you prefer. back to top
How many hours do I volunteer each week?
This varies depending on the volunteer position you are interested in and how much time you are able to give. To find out more about the opportunities available go to the Get Involved section. back to top
What should I do if I have more questions?
Call the Hogar Immigrant Services office at (703) 534-9805. We are here to answer all your questions! back to top
Education Services
The majority of our adult students are from Central and South America, but we also have representatives from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. back to top
You will be teaching English that is used in everyday living. We often call it “real-life English.” back to top
Classes are held at 13 sites throughout Northern Virginia, including parishes and the Hogar office. We make every effort to place teachers at sites that are convenient for them. back to top
Classes are held mornings, evenings and weekends. You let us know when you are available. back to top
What is required to be a teacher?
Volunteers must:
- be reliable
- be at least 18 years of age*
- have a high school diploma
- be proficient in the English language
*Minors may serve as Assistant Teachers. Certain restrictions apply. back to top
Do I have to be bilingual to teach English?
No. In fact, we encourage our bilingual volunteers to speak only English in the classrooms to maximize students’ exposure to the language they came to learn. back to top
Do I need previous teaching experience?
No. Just a positive attitude! Hogar Immigrant Services provides training. back to top
Teachers are required to take the ESL Boot Camp, our six-hour orientation workshop. Teachers are strongly encouraged to take at least an additional four hours of training, either through Hogar Immigrant Services or another ESL organization. Teachers receive notices on free trainings in the Hogar monthly email newsletter. back to top
How long am I expected to volunteer teach?
We ask volunteers to commit to one academic year (two semesters). back to top
What resources are available to help me with my teaching?
The Education Services office is open weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and we are available to answer questions and provide support. We have a library of ESL resource materials available to our volunteers and copying facilities as well. We offer periodic trainings at which teachers are provided with teaching materials. back to top
Can I do something else besides teaching?
You can work with the Education team in our Falls Church office. We often need help with administration, advertising and outreach. We especially need bilingual (English/Spanish) volunteers to provide class information to prospective students over the phone. back to top
Legal Services
How do I start an immigration case with Hogar Immigrant Services?
The legal staff of Hogar Immigrant services meets with potential new clients through intake on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Clients MUST be registered by 9:30 A.M. to meet with a Hogar immigration caseworker. Hogar takes clients on a first come, first serve basis. back to top
There is a $50.00 fee for initial consultations and must be paid with either cash, money order, or credit card. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. back to top
My family member is detained, what can I do?
CASA of Maryland has put together a great list of instructions for how to find your family member if they have been detained. See their How do we find them? Locating someone in detention in the MD/ DC/ VA region flier. back to top
Where can I find immigration forms online?
You can visit the website of US Citizenship and Immigration Services at http://www.uscis.gov/. back to top
Does Hogar Immigrant Services do translations?
YES! Hogar does provide translations of birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and baptismal certificates from Spanish to English. The cost is $20 per translation. back to top
First, you need to know what your priority date is, where you were born, and what your petition category is. Then you can check this month's Visa Bulletin on the Department of State's website. back to top
Everyone's immigration situation is very different and Hogar Immigrant Services suggests seeking the advice of an immigration attorney or caseworker to discuss the particulars of your immigration case. back to top
How can I become a U.S. citizen?
To learn more about naturalization, visit Hogar's Naturalization page. back to top