The Ark Immigration Clinic - Welcome!

The Ark at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) provides pro se legal assistance to asylum seekers in NYC. Pro se means that we can assist asylum seekers with applications, but we cannot represent them. Since May 2019, we have held weekly legal clinics to assist asylum seekers to prepare asylum, work permit, TPS, and other immigration applications. Our social work program provides referrals to other critical resources and through our partners we connect asylum seekers to immigration court accompaniment. The majority of those we work with are LGBTQ and/or HIV+.

We are thrilled to celebrate our 69 asylum grantees as of May 2025!

Sanctuary is “the movement and the work of defending immigrants and standing up for their rights.” CBST is actively engaged in Sanctuary work, protecting and supporting our immigrant friends as they face a complex and challenging asylum process. Inspired by the New Sanctuary Coalition, the Ark at CBST is a community of legal workers and non-attorney volunteers who help their neighbors to navigate the immigration system and win legal protection.


What is Sanctuary?

Sanctuary is “the movement and the work of defending immigrants and standing up for their rights.” CBST is actively engaged in Sanctuary work, protecting and supporting our immigrant friends as they face our complex and challenging asylum process, and advocating for undoing the damage caused by the previous administration. 

Our Partners

    • The New York Immigration Coalition (of which we are proud members) advocates for laws and policies to improve the lives of immigrants and all New Yorkers, cultivates immigrant civic leaders and community organizers by offering fellowships and leadership programs, and offers multilingual community education materials for new immigrants as well as training and support for community groups and legal providers.  
    • Immigrant ARC (I-ARC) is a coalition of immigration legal advocates that works on increasing access to justice and access to counsel for all immigrant New Yorkers.
    • QARAVAN (formerly RUSA LGBT)  supports asylum seekers and organizes social events to increase acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ people within the Russian-speaking public. We fight for social justice, human and civil rights for LGBTQ people in America and in the former Soviet Union. Qaravan advocates for justice for asylum seekers and for equality worldwide! 
    • SAFE  (Seeking Asylum and Finding Empowerment) empowers immigrants and vulnerable populations who have been marginalized due to sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors to reach their fullest potential by providing humanitarian assistance while fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse communities. 
    • The Synagogue Coalition and Downtown Jewish Life  is a group of synagogues and Jewish non-profits coordinating and amplifying efforts to engage more deeply. The group collaborates with organizations like  HIAS  and  T’ruah  to advocate for and assist refugee and immigrant families. By partnering with them we are creating a louder voice for justice and equality. 
    • Faith in New York  is a significant multi faith organization that advocates for a number of different issues, including supporting immigrants.
    • The Alliance for Positive Change helps New Yorkers living with HIV and other chronic health conditions with health care, housing, harm reduction, coaching, and economic mobility programs that equip people to navigate systemic inequities and achieve health and well-being.

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