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Catholic Migration Services Inc

EIN 11-2634818 · Brooklyn, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CATHOLIC MIGRATION SERVICES (CMS) IS A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO IMMIGRANTS PRIMARILY IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS, REGARDLESS OF RACE, ETHNICITY, AND RELIGION. CATHOLIC MIGRATION SERVICES IS FOCUSED ON "WELCOMING THE STRANGER IN OUR MIDST," BY BEING COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING UNDERSERVED IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES REGARDLESS OF RELIGION OR ETHNICITY. WE PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY TO IMMIGRANTS TO ADVANCE EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN A CHANGING AND DIVERSE POPULATION.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$5.9 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
55
Volunteers
157
Highest pay
$150,640, director of legal services

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $2.8 million spent. IN 2024, OUR EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND IMMIGRATION UNITS CONDUCTED 3,735 NEW INTAKES AND PROVIDED COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION TO 3,225 COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH IN-PERSON, COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS AND TRAINING, ONLINE INTERACTIVE PRESENTATIONS, AND OTHER VIRTUAL MEANS. IMMIGRATION:OUR IMMIGRATION UNIT PROVIDES A RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING CONFIDENTIAL SCREENINGS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, REUNITING FAMILIES THROUGH FAMILY-BASED PETITIONS, PETITIONING FOR ASYLUM, AND DEFENDING IMMIGRANTS AGAINST DEPORTATION. IT ALSO HOSTS OUTREACH EVENTS AND PROVIDES KNOW-YOUR- RIGHTS EDUCATION. OUR LAWYERS GIVE COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS THAT REACHED HUNDREDS OF NEW YORK RESIDENTS AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT CHANGES IN FEDERAL IMMIGRATION POLICY AND WAYS TO AVOID FRAUDS AND SCAMS THAT TARGET VULNERABLE IMMIGRANTS. IN 2024, OUR IMMIGRATION UNIT SAVED LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANTS $220,730 IN FEE WAIVERS FOR IMMIGRATION FILINGS, HELPED 227 IMMIGRANTS BECOME NATURALIZED U.S. CITIZENS, DEFENDED 109 IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS, AND HELPED 98 YOUNG IMMIGRANTS RENEW DACA (DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS), THEREBY PREVENTING THEIR REMOVAL FROM THE US AND ENABLING THEM TO WORK LAWFULLY.
  2. $1.5 million spent. HOUSING SERVICES:OUR HOUSING UNIT PROVIDES HOUSING LEGAL SERVICES, TENANT ORGANIZING SERVICES, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS EDUCATION TO LOW-INCOME TENANTS IN QUEENS. IN 2024, OUR HOUSING UNIT PREVENTED OR DELAYED EVICTIONS FOR 21 HOUSEHOLDS, ASSISTED 77 RENT-STABILIZED HOUSEHOLDS IN APPLYING FOR SCRIE/ DRIE BENEFITS, AND PROVIDED ADVICE AND COUNSEL TO 158 CLIENTS ON HOUSING MATTERS.
  3. $446,050 spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES:OUR EMPLOYMENT UNIT PROVIDES ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO LOW-WAGE WORKERS ON A VARIETY OF WORKPLACE ISSUES, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE RECOVERING UNPAID WAGES, OPPOSING DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT, OBTAINING SICK AND FAMILY LEAVE BENEFITS, AND ADVISING WORKERS OF THEIR RIGHTS. IN 2024, THE EMPLOYMENT UNIT OBTAINED $2,000,677.90 FOR 151 LOW-WAGE IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN SETTLEMENTS AND JUDGEMENTS FOR UNPAID WAGES AND DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.