The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo (LABB) and the Ontario County Public Defender’s Office (OCPD), both providers of criminal defense services, are very pleased to announce that we have been awarded funding from the NYS Office of Indigent Legal Services to establish a Regional Immigration Assistance Center (RIAC) serving the 7th and 8th Judicial Districts.

The mission of the RIAC is to support mandated providers of criminal defense, criminal appellate practice, and family law representation by providing advice and training on the immigration consequences of potential case resolutions. We plan to have a regular presence in all of the counties of our region, though we will be based in Buffalo and Canandaigua.

Sophie Feal, a public defender at LABB, who practiced immigration law for almost 30 years before joining LABB, will be our Supervising Attorney. Sophie is available immediately for consultations on the immigration consequences of criminal convictions and family court proceedings affecting parental rights. All questions regarding immigration consequences should now be directed to Sophie at sfeal@legalaidbuffalo.org or at (716) 853-9555 x269 during the “pause.” The former is the fastest way to reach her, since she is working from home at this time.

At some point in the near future, we will have a dedicated line at both LABB and OCPD for such calls, and will have an additional Staff Attorney and support staff available to assist you. Rest assured that your inquiries will be quickly and thoroughly addressed. Please note that this funding does not allow for direct representation of noncitizens.