Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the most frequent questions we are asked at the Berkshire Immigrant Center. If you don’t see the information you need, please Contact Us.

Interested in visiting the Center? See Hours & Location.

Where is BIC’s office located?

Our office is located at 141 North Street, Suite 303 (3rd floor), Pittsfield, MA 01201. Take the elevator in the lobby, and once you arrive, our office is just down the hall to the right.

What are BIC’s hours of operation? 

We are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9am-5pm and Wednesday from 10am-6pm, with a daily break from 12-1pm. 

BIC is closed on most federal and state holidays. Please visit our Location & Hours page for a full list of holiday closures.

I’m unable to come to the office in person. Do you offer online options for appointments and classes?

We want to make our services as accessible as possible, whether you live far away or simply feel more comfortable meeting from home. We offer online options for all appointments and classes. You are also welcome to have a supportive person join you during your session if that helps you feel more at ease.

How do I make an appointment?

Appointments can be made by calling the office at (413) 445-4881, filling out an Appointment Request on our website, emailing us at info@berkshireic.org, or by walking in and inquiring.

Please note all appointments must be made in advance. Walk-ins are only available for Change of Address the first Wednesday of each month from 4-6pm.

Are these staff members lawyers?

No. The Department of Justice Recognition & Accreditation program was specifically created to increase the availability of legal services by allowing non-lawyers to represent immigrants. While they aren't attorneys, "fully Accredited Representatives” can do almost everything an immigration lawyer can, including representing clients in immigration court.

At BIC, our caseworkers are partially Accredited Representatives. A partially Accredited Representative may represent individuals before USCIS only.

If BIC caseworkers are Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representatives, are they government employees?

No. The "DOJ" refers to the authority that grants our caseworkers the right to practice law. Think of it like a driver’s license: the RMV authorizes you to drive, but that doesn't make you an employee of the RMV. BIC is an independent non-profit that has been vetted by the DOJ to ensure we have the knowledge and integrity to provide legal services.

Why would someone choose an Accredited Representative over a private lawyer?

As a recognized organization, BIC is required to charge only "nominal fees," making us much more affordable than private firms.

Can I trust BIC to keep my information private and confidential?

BIC is not the federal government. We are a non-profit organization and the trust and confidence of our clients is important to us. Personal information remains private and confidential; we never sell client information. We do not share client information unless authorized by the client to do so.

Do you provide interpretation?

We provide full language support for our clients. We offer in-house Spanish interpretation, and for all other languages, we utilize a professional on-demand service to ensure clear and accurate communication in any language you speak.

Do you provide translations?

BIC offers $5 translations from Spanish to English for birth certificates, consular IDs, or driving records needed for RMV appointments.

Does BIC accept physical donations like clothes, furniture, or household items?

No, we do not accept physical item donations.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. All new clients begin with an initial consultation. This ensures we have dedicated time to focus on your specific needs. Visit our Appointment page to get started.

What happens during the initial consultation?

You will meet 1-on-1 with a caseworker to review your situation, receive tailored advice, and get answers to your questions.

What if I just have a quick legal question?

Because every situation is different, even a "quick" question requires a review of your specific details to give you accurate advice. We ask that you schedule an appointment so we can give your question the attention it deserves.

Do you offer fee waivers or reduced fees?

We are committed to helping everyone. If our fees present a hardship, please reach out to our office so we can discuss potential payment plans or fee adjustments.

Do I have to pay the consultation fee again if I need additional advice?

A new consultation fee is only required if you would like to consult about a different case or if your original consultation was more than three months ago. This ensures we have the most current information to give you accurate advice.

I need to book an appointment, but BIC’s office hours do not work for my schedule.

We understand that our regular hours of operation may not work for you. Please visit our Contact Us page to connect with our staff to find a time that works for both you and our counselors.

Do you help people who live outside of Berkshire County?

While we prioritize serving residents of Berkshire County, we can assist individuals in other areas with online appointments. If you would like to find immigration-specific legal help closer to you, visit immigrationlawhelp.org.

What type of immigration issues does BIC help with? 

BIC focuses primarily on family-based immigration. We assist with a range of immigration services including Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Green Card Renewals, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). We also help complete and file most USCIS forms.

For a complete list of services, visit our Services & Fees page.

Does BIC accept every case?

While we strive to help as many people as possible, we cannot accept every case. To provide the best possible service, we only take on matters that fall within our specific legal expertise. We also conduct a "conflict of interest" check to ensure we can represent you fairly.

If your case involves complex humanitarian matters or is outside our current scope, we will refer you to a trusted immigration attorney who specializes in those areas. Our goal is to ensure you get the right help, even if it isn't from us.

What is needed to begin work on my case?

Once we have determined we can assist you, we need a few things to begin: a signed contract, all required documents for your case, and the pre-payment of any applicable fees. We begin work once we have received all your necessary documents and the required fees.

How long will it take to complete my forms?

Once we have your documents and fees, it typically takes 3-6 weeks to complete your forms. Because we prioritize accuracy and attention to detail, some cases may take longer. Your caseworker will provide a more specific estimate after reviewing your needs.

My application was filed by BIC, but I haven't heard from USCIS. What should I do?

Once an application is filed, USCIS handles the timeline for the process. You can visit the USCIS website to view their estimated processing times: egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. If you have received a receipt notice, you can also enter your receipt number into the USCIS case status tracker to see the current stage of your application: egov.uscis.gov.

Please understand that these online tools provide general updates, so if your case feels significantly delayed or if you have specific concerns, you should contact your caseworker to discuss your situation.

Can BIC help me with legal issues that aren't related to immigration?

While our legal expertise is focused on immigration, we can review your issue during a consultation to determine how best to help. If we cannot assist you directly, we will refer you to our non-immigration law clinics or one of our trusted local partners or community organizations that specializes in the support you need.

Is there a fee for BIC’s Citizenship classes? 

Citizenship classes are free of charge at BIC, please join us! Visit Classes to learn more.

When can I start classes?

We are always accepting new students. Depending on scheduling and availability, you may be able to start classes within as little as three weeks. To get started, please contact Education Director Donovan Snyder at donovan@berkshireic.org.

What is the class schedule?

Classes typically meet once per week for an hour, and we run multiple classes each week to accommodate different work schedules. During your initial meeting, we will try to find a class schedule that is convenient for you.

I have already studied for my citizenship interview, but I want to make sure I’m ready. Do you offer mock interviews?

Yes! Please get in touch and we would be happy to schedule you for a mock interview.

I don’t speak English. Can I enroll in citizenship classes?

We encourage you to contact us and set up an initial meeting with our Education Director. We will assess the skills and knowledge you already have so that you leave with a clear understanding of what you will need to learn to prepare for your interview.

Classes are conducted mostly in English, but we provide visual aids and study materials designed for beginning English learners. You can build your English skills while you study for your interview.

I have not applied for citizenship yet. Can I enroll in citizenship classes?

Yes!

Do you offer one-on-one classes or group classes?

Most of our classes are conducted in small groups of five or fewer students. We will do our best to group you with other students who are at a similar level so that everyone is comfortable with the pace of the class.

How long does it take to prepare for the citizenship exam?

This depends on many factors, including your English language skills, your prior knowledge of the civics content, and how much time you are able to spend studying outside of class. Some students are able to prepare in a few months, while others need more than a year.

Do you offer information about immigration topics?

Yes, BIC works to educate and empower immigrants and the broader community through our presentations and workshops. Visit Presentations & Workshops for details.

Are your presentations and workshops free of charge?

All public presentations that we organize are free of charge to ensure broad access to this information. We charge fees for private presentations to cover the cost of providing these services. If our fees present a barrier for your organization, we will do our best to accommodate. Please contact Education Director Donovan Snyder at donovan@berkshireic.org with any questions.