Migration & Refugee Services

Featured Story:
Antonio Serru

Before coming to America, Antonio Serru practiced medicine in Cuba. The conditions there were harsh, even for a doctor.

“In Cuba a doctor’s salary was $25 a month. I did not have a car so I had to ride a bike to see my patients. It was difficult to support my family,” he said.

When he arrived in America, Dr. Serru learned that a medical license from another country is not valid. He would have to start over. To stay informed in the medical field Dr. Serru became a medical assistant working for $8 hour. He stayed at that position for eight years until deciding to become certified as a physician in the U.S. Now as doctor with his own practice, he gives back to the community.

“I remember how much I struggled when I came over here. Just because I’m in a good position now doesn’t mean I can forget. I talk with groups in town and ask them to send me patients even if they have no money. There are a lot of things I can do that do not cost much money but can help,” he said.

He also remembers how upon his initial arrival, Catholic Charities provided assistance.

“Even though I started working within 17 days of arriving here, CCSN helped me with funding, food, and clothes. The help they give is awesome. People get clothes, education, and accommodations. I don’t think there’s an institution that can say they do what CCSN does. It’s a gift,” Dr. Serru said.

Migration and Refugee Services

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Contact Us

1511 Las Vegas Blvd North
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-383-8387

** Helping Ukrainian Refugees **
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is the State Office for Refugee Resettlement for Nevada. At this time Ukrainian refugees are resetting in neighboring countries of the Ukraine.
Donations designated for Ukrainian support will be directed to Catholic Relief Services who is currently performing relief efforts on the ground. Click here to make a donation for this effort.

Interested in Helping?

Thank you so much for your interest in helping those resetting here from Afghanistan. At this time, we are preparing for more information about when Afghan Refugees, SIV’s and Parolees will arrive in Nevada and working closely with the Federal and State Offices. In the meantime, our Migration and Refugee Services program needs support in the following ways:

  • If you would like to make a monetary donation towards the Afghan resettlement process and our general resettlement needs, click here
  • Purchase items from our AmazonSmile Charity List to benefit our refugee clients
  • Become a Youth Mentor to assist refugee youth ages 15-24 – to learn more here or contact Orlando here
  • Let us know if you have any rental property contacts to assist with housing needs

We are grateful for your willingness to support our clients as they work to start a new life here in Southern Nevada.

Migration & Refugee Services

During the fiscal year of 2020, 680 refugees were welcomed into Nevada. Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is recognized on the federal level as the State Refugee Office in Nevada. In addition to this, our agency is one of three local agencies to carry out resettlement services in the state of Nevada: Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, ECDC African Community Center and Northern Nevada International Center.

Catholic Charities’ Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) helps refugees from all over the world rebuild their lives after they have been forced to leave their families, homes, and countries behind because of racial, religious, or political persecution, often fleeing for their life. Our goal is to help refugees become self-sufficient and lead independent lives as quickly as possible.

We serve refugees and other refugee-eligible populations such as: Asylees, Cuban Entrants, certified Victims of Trafficking, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders from Iraq and Afghanistan. We provide ongoing assistance to refugees for the first 5 years in starting their new life in America, eventually helping them become American citizens.

MRS provides services such as:

  • Food, shelter and clothing
  • Health services
  • Cultural orientation
  • Case management
  • Employment services
  • Education
  • Citizenship classes

Did you know?

  • As of the end of 2020, more than 82 million individuals have been forcibly displaced from their homes worldwide.
  • According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are more than 26 million refugees worldwide.
  • The top five nationalities that we currently welcome come from: Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Eritrea and Iraq.
  • 70% of  refugees resettled by Catholic Charities come from Cuba.
  • More than half of these refugees are children.
  • Average wage for a refugee’s first job is the U.S. is $10.38

You Can Help Refugees Start Their New Life!

  • If  you have information you would like to share about local affordable housing that could possibly benefit Migration & Refugee Services, please call 702-383-8387.
  • Purchase items from our AmazonSmile Charity List to benefit our refugee clients
  • Become a Youth Mentor to assist refugee youth ages 15-24 – to learn more here or contact Orlando here
  • Sponsor a family – a monetary donation of:
    • $30 can help provide one month’s worth of cleaning supplies or hygiene products for a family of four.
    • $50 can help pay for one week’s worth of food for a family of four.
    • $469 can help provide brand new furniture for a single refugee.
    • $560 could help supply a one bedroom apartment for a refugee couple.
      Designate a donation here.