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Martes 07 de Julio de 2009 15:00 |
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Happy Clients
A highlight of our work at Just Neighbors is sharing with our clients the good news from Immigration that an application has been approved. This news can bring a certainty they will remain with their families, a knowledge they have the right to work, or the peace to know their immigration status will no longer be dependent on an abuser. This past week we had three happy calls that we've shared below.
Our attorney Allison Rutland Soulen called a client couple from Pakistan that we've been working with for years. They have come to consider us family. We received a letter from Immigration that the husband's green card had been approved; this application was by no means a sure thing. Allison could hear both the husband and wife on the other end of the line, told them they were on speaker phone with Rob listening in, then told them she had good news; his green card was approved!
There was stunned silence for about three seconds, then a gush from both husband and wife:
"I don't even have words to thank you guys and how to express the joy. Wow, so many years. I know you guys happy for me. It's you guys praying and love for us. You don't know that my whole family back in Pakistan, my brothers and sisters, all know you guys. You guys are world-famous! I'm thinking how to promote you guys back in Pakistan to show what kind hearts Americans have. It is really touching. I really feel proud that I have known you guys. It is an honor to know you. It is a pleasure. We have a small place but we want to make lunch to bring to the whole office. It's a miracle. I'm just in love with you. I think God sent you to deliver this message. I don't even have words... this is such a big joy."
Their daughters would be arriving home from their last day of school minutes later, and the couple was ecstatic to share the news, which for them meant a permanently united family in the United States.
Our attorney Dominique Poirier had been working with a client for months who had some horrible experiences here that made her eligible for a U visa. Dominique received her work permit in the mail last week from Immigration, surprisingly early and without any obstacles. She called the reserved young woman to share the news. One could visualize her smiling as she said "Really? Thank you!" She even giggled with joy, the first time Dominique had heard her laugh.
Also last week, a client called us to tell us his green card had been approved, as Immigration had sent him a letter directly. He left the following voicemail on Allison's phone:
"Hi Allison. This is (name). We want to say thank you so much for everything, everything you did. I finally got the message from Immigration that my case was approved. I want to say thank you, thank you so much. Thank you so much Allison! Thank you for Just Neighbors, thank you for everthing." As with the family from Pakistan, this client from Africa could now live permanently with his wife and their baby, who is pictured below with Executive Director Rob Rutland-Brown.
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Rob Rutland-Brown and baby Grace (a client's baby) at Just Neighbors' Meet and Greet at La Tasca in DC. The baby's parents have since learned they can remain together in the U.S. Grace understands French, Swahili, and English, and the parents have yet to find out which language she will use for her first words.
Around the Office
Interns Sarah and Della
Just Neighbors welcomes our two summer interns, Sarah Mirkin and Della Hodges. Sarah will be a senior at Oral Roberts University and is pursuing a degree in Spanish and International/Community Development. Sarah, who has extensive experience traveling and volunteering abroad, joins Just Neighbors through Georgetown's The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) program. Della, fluent in French, is a law student at UVA who comes to us through a partnership with Foley & Lardner law firm in DC. She has two years of paralegal experience in an immigration office and has been able to hit the ground running with casework. We are grateful to have both of them through July.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first on-line auction through eBay. We raised over $1,400 through your support and spread awareness about our mission in the process.
We are thankful for a generous grant from the Weissberg Foundation to continue our work of providing immigration legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees in Northern Virginia. The Weissberg Foundation has been a committed supporter of our work over the past several years and we are thrilled that they will be increasing their funding toward our mission.
Thank you to St. Mark Catholic Church for funding a community clinic that will take place in the fall. This support will enable Just Neighbors staff, along with the help of 8-10 volunteers, to serve 8 clients from around the world with various immigration legal needs.
In the News
For a heartwarming story of a Sudanese girl reuniting with her parents in Brooklyn, check out this June 15th article from the New York Times. The story illustrates the emotional decisions many of our immigrant clients must make as they navigate immigration law.
Volunteer of the Month
Luis Roman has been a fabulous volunteer for Just Neighbors over the past four months. A student at Northern Virginia Community College, Luis sought out Just Neighbors because he could relate to the struggles immigrants in our community face. Always smiling, Luis conducts phone intakes and helps out in numerous ways around the office. He also makes a cameo in our video, which you can watch by clicking here or visiting www.justneighbors.org. Thank you Luis!
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