Client Story
“This is the happiest day of my life!” Naeem exclaimed as he looked at his permanent green card. He was beaming. Naeem is from Afghanistan. He had been recruited to assist the U.S. armed forces in their “surge” in Afghanistan, but because he had a conditional green card the US. Government would not hire him.
A private attorney helped Faiza, a United States citizen, apply for Naeem to come to the United States as her fiancé. Once Naeem was here, the attorney referred the couple to us because Faiza had lost her job; they could no longer pay the private attorney. Although the application was approved, Naeem was given only a conditional green card.
Immigration uses conditional green cards to help detect marriage fraud. If the couple has not been married for two full years at the time of their marriage interview then the immigrant is given status as a “conditional lawful permanent resident.” The condition is that the couple must file jointly to remove the conditions after the immigrant has been a conditional permanent resident for two years. Sometimes there is another interview with Immigration to remove the conditions, sometimes there is not.
Naeem and Faiza had a baby boy last summer (another happiest day in his life), and Naeem has been anxious to improve his employment. He has worked hard on his English, and he is fluent in both Pashto and Farsi. These are languages that the U.S. military desperately needs on the ground in Afghanistan.
Although Naeem is reluctant to leave his baby boy and his wife, he is thrilled to have landed a job with a generous salary and benefits. He is also pleased that he will be able to help the United States, because he is so grateful to be safely here. He hopes that down the road, he will be able to earn a living translating from the safety of the United States. But in the meantime, he is off to his homeland – and is thrilled to be an employee of the United States!
Client Letter
A client wrote two handwritten letters to our attorneys Sarah and Allison, both of whom have worked on her case. She just received a job as a result of our help, and gave $130 cash donation to us so we could help other clients.
Dear Sarah/Allison,
I am very happy to have you in my life. God bless me everyday and make me meet the greatest people. Thank you for your help to extend my work permit and obtain green card. I and my daughter love you very much.
Podcasts on Immigration
This is a link to three podcasts related to immigration court aired in the Bay area. Although Just Neighbors generally does not take on court cases, the topics brought up in each of these reports is very relevant to our clients and the challenges they face. The first podcast talks about the vast need that exists for immigrants seeking court representation, highlighting that unlike in criminal cases, individuals in immigration court are not provided an attorney; they must find one on their own.
The second report discusses the dangers posed by fraudulent immigration attorneys, something many of Just Neighbors' clients have experienced firsthand. The third podcast shares some thoughts on ways the system could be improved for immigrants.
Around the Office
We are grateful to all of you, our donors, who helped us achieve a record-breaking year in a difficult economy. Our individual giving increased by 28% in 2009, enabling us to handle the most cases we have ever undertaken in a year, 840. We are inspired that the community has become aware of the vast need for immigration legal services and that you have given generously in response. Thank you for your support!
We are also grateful for grants from the Herb Block Foundation and the Washington Forrest Foundation and for a generous donation from The Closet of Greater Herndon to support our work in the Herndon community.
Volunteer of the Month
Kevin Lamiell has been an outstanding volunteer at Just Neighbors since September. Kevin, who graduated from George Mason University last May, speaks fluent Spanish and has a strong interest in other cultures. Kevin comes on Mondays and Thursdays to assist with casework, conduct dozens of phone intakes, and interpret for clients. We are fortunate for his help as he begins applying for Master's programs in the field of Foreign Affairs.
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