Berkshire Immigrant Center
Our Services
Citizenship Classes
Presentations & Workshops
Clients, Services & Fees
Make an Appointment
Immigration Updates
Know Your Rights
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Support BIC
Our Supporters
Special Events
Annual Benefit | Past Events
Mission & History
Location & Hours
Confidentiality Policy
Team BIC
— Staff
— Board of Directors
Employment
Volunteer at BIC
Newsletters
Subscribe to BIC's Newsletter
Welcome to the Berkshire Immigrant Center
The mission of the Berkshire Immigrant Center is to advocate for the rights of all immigrants by helping them navigate the complex U.S. immigration system with affordable legal services, local resources, and education.
Berkshire Immigrant Center provides its clients with tools to help them overcome financial and cultural barriers, with the goals of strengthening civic engagement and creating equal opportunity for all. Berkshire Immigrant Center supports changes to systems which are unjust to immigrants, and supports state and national immigration advocacy efforts.
Our Services
Immigration Updates
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Highlights from the Center
Upcoming workshops, clinics, and events and other special stories about the Berkshire Immigrant Center.
All Stories
Clinics and Workshops
News
Special Events
Support
News
Berkshire Immigrant Center Announces Executive Director Transition
News
Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) announces that Executive Director Melissa Canavan will step down from her role following three years of strong and steady leadership.
Read More →
News
Support
Everyone Deserves Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Support
Everyone deserves the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. With your donation, we can protect these rights for every one of our clients.
Read More →
Support
Support
News
BIC by the Numbers: Fiscal Year 2025
Support
News
Your generous support has already made a difference in the lives of hundreds of clients and their families. Learn how your support helps our immigrants community by viewing our
2025 Impact + Services Snapshot
Read More →
Support
News
Support
Standing Together Means We Can Build a Better Future
Support
Your support fuels the work BIC does every day to make these ideals real for our immigrant neighbors. By standing together, we can build a better future for us all.
Read More →
Support
News
BIC Welcomes Saruda Simonson to the Board
News
We are thrilled to welcome Saruda Simonson to the BIC Board! Saruda is excited to both her professional expertise and personal immigrant experience to the Board.
Read More →
News
News
Protect Yourself from Immigration Scams
News
USCIS will only communicate with you about your immigration case through official mail. These letters come to your mailing address in clearly marked envelopes from the US government. Learn how to spot real USCIS communication…
Read More →
News
News
Introducing our Interim Executive Director
News
BIC is pleased to introduce Jim Ayres as our Interim Executive Director. In 2024, Jim facilitated the development of our new strategic plan, giving him a strong grounding in the Center’s mission, vision, and priorities.
Read More →
News
News
Welcome Tack Burbank to the BIC Board
News
BIC is excited to welcome Tack Burbank to the BIC Board!
Read More →
News
News
Beware of Fraud
News
Fraudulent activity in the immigration legal field is very common. Many individuals present themselves as "notarios" or immigration “consultants” when they are not authorized to practice immigration law. Protect yourself, always verify that you are communicating directly with BIC.
Read More →
News
Clinics and Workshops
News
Presentations: Voluntary Departure
Clinics and Workshops
News
Join Berkshire Immigrant Center for an important presentation on the legal concept of voluntary departure and the process of "self-deportation".
Read More →
Clinics and Workshops
News
Support
Clinics and Workshops
News
"Standing Together" short film
Support
Clinics and Workshops
News
Berkshire Immigrant Center's short film
Standing Together
highlights how your support helps local immigrants through BIC’s work.
Read More →
Support
Clinics and Workshops
News
Special Events
"Beacon of Hope" benefit photo collection
Special Events
View the photo collection from the 2025
Beacon of Hope
benefit. We are so grateful to those who attended to stand together with BIC and the Berkshire immigrant community.
Read More →
Special Events
Support
Special Events
Thanks to everyone who supported our "Beacon of Hope" benefit!
Support
Special Events
We are so grateful to those who attended this year’s Beacon of Hope benefit for standing together with BIC and the Berkshire immigrant community!
Read More →
Support
Special Events
News
The Risks of Traveling Outside the US with a Green Card
News
If you have concerns about the risks of traveling outside the US with a green card, please consult an immigration attorney or accredited representative before you travel.
Read More →
News
Clinics and Workshops
News
Presentations: Immigration Updates with BIC
Clinics and Workshops
News
Join BIC online to learn about the latest immigration policy changes, legal updates, and government announcements, and to ask questions. Whether you're a community member, service provider, or an immigrant, these sessions are a chance to stay current and informed.
Read More →
Clinics and Workshops
News
Special Events
Beacon of Hope 2025 Benefit Tickets on Sale!
Special Events
Join Berkshire Immigrant Center for
Beacon of Hope
, a live benefit performance honoring cultural diversity in support of BIC’s crucial work serving local immigrants.
Read More →
Special Events
Clinics and Workshops
News
Presentations: Know Your Rights | April and May 2025
Clinics and Workshops
News
Join BIC online to learn essential legal rights of immigrants, how to handle interactions with law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and access resources to protect yourself and your family.
Presentations in English and Spanish.
Read More →
Clinics and Workshops
News
Clinics and Workshops
News
Presentations: Know Your Rights | March 2025
Clinics and Workshops
News
Join BIC online to learn essential legal rights of immigrants, how to handle interactions with law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and access resources to protect yourself and your family.
Presentations in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Read More →
Clinics and Workshops
News
News
President Trump Executive Orders Explained
News
Since January 20, President Trump has issued Executive Orders focused on immigration policies. These directives escalate his administration’s use of executive power to target immigrant communities.
Read More →
News
Clinics and Workshops
News
Workshop: Filing Taxes 101 | February 12, 2025
Clinics and Workshops
News
Learn about filing taxes, Social Security number (SSN) vs. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), reporting income, who counts as dependents, avoiding penalties due to lack of health insurance, and risks of tax fraud.
Read More →
Clinics and Workshops
News
News
BIC's New Location
News
Berkshire Immigrant Center has moved! Our doors have officially opened at 141 North Street, Suite 303, Pittsfield, MA. We look forward to welcoming you to our new space!
Read More →
News
Support
News
Immigrants Trust BIC, but Your Generosity Makes Our Work Possible!
Support
News
Your generosity makes BIC's work serving local immigrants possible!
Read More →
Support
News
News
We're Moving!
News
We’re excited to announce that starting January 13, 2025, BIC’s new office will be located in the Brothership Building at 141 North Street, Suite 303, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Read More →
News
Clinics and Workshops
News
Workshop: Filing Taxes 101 | January 22, 2024
Clinics and Workshops
News
Learn about filing taxes, Social Security number (SSN) vs. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), reporting income, who counts as dependents, avoiding penalties due to lack of health insurance, and risks of tax fraud.
Read More →
Clinics and Workshops
News
Clinics and Workshops
News
Workshop: Know Your Rights | December 2024
Clinics and Workshops
News
Learn essential legal rights of immigrants, how to handle interactions with law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and access resources to protect yourself and your family.
Read More →
Clinics and Workshops
News
News
Clinics and Workshops
Community Message | Post-Election 2024
News
Clinics and Workshops
BIC stands strong in our mission. We know this week’s news brings a mix of emotions and uncertainty for many of you. We are here — ready to support, uplift, and advocate for all who rely on us.
Read More →
News
Clinics and Workshops
Special Events
News
Naturalization Ceremony | October 2024
Special Events
News
Berkshire Immigrant Center and the Norman Rockwell Museum hosted a naturalization ceremony, where 28 individuals from 20 countries became US citizens.
Read More →
Special Events
News
News
Team BIC Welcomes Anny Lopez Urquizo
News
BIC welcomes a new Team members: Anny Lopez Urquizo, Assistant Case Worker!
Read More →
News
Clinics and Workshops
News
Immigration Fair: Free Consultations and Resource Info | October 19, 2024
Clinics and Workshops
News
Discover valuable resources, meet with local service providers, and get the guidance you need from an experienced immigration attorney.
Read More →
Clinics and Workshops
News
News
BIC Team Welcomes Two New Staff Members
News
BIC welcomes two new Team members: Karen Carrillo Cordova, Intake Coordinator, and Jacob Greer, Assistant Case Worker!
Read More →
News
Support the Berkshire Immigrant Center
The Berkshire Immigrant Center is dedicated to serving the more than 10,000 immigrants who make our region their home.
Please stand with the Berkshire immigrant community.
Be a Supporter
Financial contributions
are essential to sustaining our work and operations, and help provide assistance to families and fund immigration application costs.
Make a Donation
Be a Community Connector
Following and sharing updates from BIC on
and
helps spread reliable information.
Be a Volunteer
Volunteers
play a vital role at BIC, serving as connectors and bringing compassion to help the communities we serve.
Volunteer
Our Services Are Completely Confidential
The Berkshire Immigrant Center is not the federal government, we are a nonprofit immigration legal services organization. The Center is here to help and we understand that immigration can be a sensitive topic. Our staff want to ensure that clients feel welcome and are able to speak freely so we can best assist everyone and protect their information. Read our full
Confidentiality Policy
Please do not be afraid to access the services you need.
Subscribe to BIC’s Newsletter
Subscribe to Berkshire Immigrant Center’s free monthly newsletter for the latest immigration news or information regarding upcoming events and activities!