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Dear Friends,
A reminder that you are invited to join Just Neighbors for our Open House at our new office on Wednesday, October 8th from 4pm-8pm. Drop by anytime to meet our staff, visit our new space, learn about how we serve low-income immigrants in the community, and network. No need to RSVP. We’re at 5827 Columbia Pike, Suite #320 Falls Church, VA 22041. Contact Nancy Sharpe at
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or 703 979-1240 with any questions. We hope to see you then!
Client Story
Eddie arrived a half hour early for his appointment at Just Neighbors’ clinic last Tuesday night in Falls Church. When we sat down and I began to ask him some basic questions before he was to meet with our volunteers, he eagerly pulled out photos of his family back in the Central African Republic. (Eddie is our first client from this country!) The photos showed his brother, who had recently been in a car accident, surrounded by his brother’s eight children in a worn-down hospital room. Eddie also noted that his sister had AIDS and recently passed away. Eddie had been an economist back in his home country and was working here as a security guard, hoping to work his way up into academia over time. Despite the setbacks and tragedies in his life, Eddie was upbeat and was optimistic that we could help him.
Eddie received asylum for his family when he came to the United States because he had been persecuted in his homeland. Two volunteer attorneys met with Eddie during his appointment and learned he had come to Just Neighbors because he had been applying for his green card. However, Immigration had rejected one of his forms for the third time, and he had come to Just Neighbors for help. Each rejection read “You must submit a properly completed Form G-325A, Biographic Information Sheet, for yourself. Your original signature is required on the Form G-325A. Photocopied signatures are not acceptable. Blank immigration forms and information are available online . . . .” The volunteers carefully reviewed the forms that Eddie had submitted; everything was complete. The denials by Immigration were a mystery, as Eddie seemed to have filled out the applications properly.
When Just Neighbors attorney Allison came into the room, she looked at the Form G-325A that the client had completed now for the fourth time and asked, “Did you sign the other forms with blue ink?” He replied, “No, just this one. The others I signed with black ink.” Allison said, “This form will be fine; Immigration just doesn’t like signatures in black ink.” The two volunteer attorneys looked at each other, dumbfounded. One said, “Blue ink? I never would have figured that out.” The other said, “Neither would I. Does it say on the instruction form to sign in blue ink?” Of course not. Allison explained that this was one of the frustrating points of working with Immigration. Just Neighbors had several rejections of the G-325As before catching on; we now buy only blue pens (really!) and sign all forms in blue ink.
Eddie’s Fourth Form has been sent to Immigration and all should go well. He is already scheduled for our October clinic, when we will help with the applications for his wife and four children. With a filing fee of $1,010 for the wife’s application and $600 for each of the children, we will be assisting him in completing fee waivers as well – signed in blue ink!
Around the Office
Just Neighbors is honored to receive a grant from The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, Starbucks Memorial Fund in support of our work with immigrants who have experienced domestic violence. We are also grateful for a grant of $4,000 in 2009 from the Virginia Conference Common Table, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
We have been busy conducting community outreach this month through both presentations and booths at various events. In September Just Neighbors staff has engaged in eleven presentations to groups including shelters for victims of domestic violence, ESL classes, church youth groups, and a group of Court Appointed Special Advocates who work with immigrant families. Feel free to contact us if you know of a group who would like to know more about immigration laws or how Just Neighbors serves the immigrant community.
Do you have any photos from your travels that no longer decorate your walls? If you would like to lend us any pictures you have taken with an international flavor, we would love to put them up in our reception area and create a sort of rotating gallery. We would include your name and the location of the photo. We are looking for photos that are already framed. Contact Nancy Sharpe at
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or 703 979-1240 if you have some pictures to share—thanks!
On Wednesday, November 5th, the Supreme Court will hear an oral argument on an asylum case. The applicant was denied asylum because he gave "material support" to a terrorist. The issue here is that the "support/participation" was given under duress (death threat) and whether that duress should excuse the terrorist connection. This has been a hot issue in immigration law, and most of us at Just Neighbors will be attending. The case is open to the public but you may need to arrive early to get a seat. For more information, visit: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/visiting/visitorsguidetooralargument.pdf
Volunteer of the Month
We would like to thank Jennifer Kurtz for driving over an hour to volunteer at Just Neighbors on Fridays over the past several weeks. Jennifer, a student at Marymount University’s Paralegal Studies program, has assisted with a wide range of things each Friday, including client interviews and phone intakes, and has helped ensure a smooth transition to our new office. Thank you Jennifer!
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Sincerely,
Rob Rutland-Brown
Executive Director
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