[Green Door]About Us—How We Started

Opening Doors Immigration Services (ODIS) was started in response to an immigration situation with a member of the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church. The congregation responded to this need with passion for its member friend. Need for assistance for immigrants seeking help in Denton County was thus recognized since there was no accredited agency or immigration lawyer in the county at that time. Grants were received from the Presbyterian denomination which enabled persons to be trained in the law and procedures through the Catholic Charities network. The doors opened in April 2003 at Trinity Presbyterian Church with volunteers as staff. In July 2003, the agency was "recognized" by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) in Washington, D.C. and three counselors received "accreditation" by the same board at that same time.