Client Story

When most of us think of an immigrant in the United States, we probably do not picture someone like Rusty.  Rusty, a Caucasian with a huge white beard, came to Just Neighbors off the street.  Rusty had mental health issues and said that he had no family or friends to assist him.  At first we thought there was nothing that we could do for him other than refer him to service providers in the area (many of whom, we would later learn, already knew him).  As we listened to Rusty's story and tried to sort fiction from fact, we realized he had a case after all.

Rusty explained that he was born in Canada, came to the United States at a young age with his parents, and was naturalized.  However, thirteen years ago his Certificate of Naturalization was destroyed in the car where he had been living.  This meant he had no proof of citizenship or status in the U.S.  In Virginia, with no proof of legal status, it was difficult for Rusty to access mental health services, Medicaid, housing assistance, or even an ID that he could carry with him.

Our attorneys and volunteers engaged in numerous conversations with Rusty to uncover his story, listening to his involvement in the Waco massacre and various extraterrestrial encounters.  Meanwhile, we had many interactions with Immigration to sort out Rusty's case, including several futile Infopass appointments.  As our patience with both Rusty and Immigration was wearing thin, we discovered military records that supported the veracity of Rusty's story and gave us evidence to present to Immigration that he was indeed a U.S. citizen.

Rusty's Certificate of Naturalization arrived at Just Neighbors in the mail last week.  We are happy for Rusty but have no way to give him the document or the good news.  We hope to locate him soon so he can have a bit more support in his life.  All of us who had a hand in serving Rusty have been reminded that there is no such thing as a "typical" immigrant, and that's what makes this work so intriguing.

What is a "U Visa"?

In 2000, Congress passed legislation aimed at strengthening the ability of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute certain crimes while offering protection to the victims of those crimes. This new law is known in immigration parlance as the "U Visa." In 2007 USCIS finally published regulations permitting qualifying immigrant applicants to apply for a four-year U Visa, and eventually legal permanent residence.

The immigrant essentially has to meet the following requirements to qualify for a U Visa: 1) They must be a victim of certain violent crimes, which are outlined in the regulations. For example, domestic violence, felonious assault, sexual assault, etc.; 2) They must assist law enforcement in the investigation and/or prosecution of that crime (and provide a law enforcement certification attesting to such); 3) They must have suffered substantial harm as a result of the crime; 4) The crime must have occurred in the U.S. or on U.S. soil. Moreover, in December of 2008, USCIS also came out with the regulations for U Visa holders to apply for legal permanent residence. Those applicants must have held U Visa status for at least 3 years; continued to cooperate with law enforcement (if their cooperation was necessary), and prove that the granting of legal permanent residence would be in the best interest of the U.S.

Just Neighbors has been helping U Visa applicants since the early days of the passage of the law in 2000. Those who applied for U Visa status prior to the issuance of the regulations were given "interim relief"- basically a work permit and a place in limbo while the regulations were being written. Since the promulgation of the regulations however, all those applicants with interim relief were required to REFILE for U Visa status. Just Neighbors refiled all those old cases last year and has also continued to file new U Visa cases. Many of those U Visa applicants are women who were victims of domestic violence, who called the police on their abusers, and who went to court to testify against their abusers. Some other applicants include victims of robbery, sexual assaults, felony hit and runs, and child abuse. They include male and female adult and juvenile victims.

Filing for U Visa status is a time-consuming process that involves frequent communication with the courts, prosecutors and police. It also includes compiling medical records, photos, shelter records, counseling records, statements from the victim's friends and family, etc. However, the outcome, if successful, is life changing for our clients. They can legalize their status in the United States and work legally, and they may be successful in obtaining legal permanent residence, and eventually, citizenship. They also may petition for certain family members, especially children, enabling them to bring separated families together again. Just Neighbors currently has over 60 open U Visa cases and we are excited about our ability to help more immigrant victims using this new law. It is a tremendously rewarding experience assisting victims of violent crimes and we are grateful for the chance to do so.

In the Community

On March 25th, Executive Director Rob Rutland-Brown was interviewed by the local CBS affiliate, WUSA Channel 9.  During four minutes of air time he answered questions related to the impact of the economy on Just Neighbors' clients and the importance of all immigrants, regardless of legal status, to take part in the upcoming 2010 U.S. Census.  To view the interview on YouTube, click here.  It can also be found by typing "Rutland-Brown" in a YouTube search.

In March Just Neighbors has taken part in ten presentations to the community, including talks at churches, shelters, and low-income housing apartments.   Last week Legal Assistant Nancy Sharpe spoke to a group of immigrants at the South County building in Fairfax about their rights as immigrants (documented or undocumented) in this country.  Director of Legal Services Allison Rutland Soulen served as a panelist at a discussion hosted by Wesley Theological Seminary and led by NPR's Michel Martin.  Allison shared her perspective as one who interacts with immigrants everyday as part of a forum addressing how to improve immigration laws.

Get Involved

Need a break after work?  Join Just Neighbors on Wednesday April 15th from 6-8:30pm for a light cocktail hour at La Tasca Restaurant in downtown Washington DC!  Come learn about the organization while enjoying delicious complimentary tapas and drink specials. Please invite your friends and colleagues!

La Tasca is located at 722 7th Street NW and is just off the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Stop.  Feel free to contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions.

Just Neighbors is supporting a Citizenship Day on April 18th from 10am to 3pm.  Immigrants seeking citizenship can pay $20 to participate.  The event is sponsored by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and will take place at the Arlington Center of Northern Virginia Community College.  For information about who is eligible and what to bring, please contact Rob Rutland-Brown at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Volunteer of the Month

Just Neighbors would like to recognize the entire PR Portfolio class at American University, taught by Dr. Gemma Puglisi, as our Volunteers of the Month.  The course is centered on providing a range of public relations assistance to a local nonprofit.  Just Neighbors is the lucky beneficiary of the outstanding work of these twenty students for the entire semester.  The class has divided into groups to host a panel discussion, solicit media attention (such as the WUSA interview noted above), recruit volunteers, set up special events, seek donations from local businesses, gather stuffed animals we can give to our clients' children, and even create a promotional video for Just Neighbors.  Each week the class provides exciting new updates on their achievements to spread the word about and further the growth of Just Neighbors.  We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with such an enthusiastic and talented group of students.

Around the Office

We are thankful for a grant from the North American South Asian Bar Association (NASABA) Foundation.  This funding will support our work in the coming year with clients from South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Burma.

We would also like to recognize the ongoing funding from Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  Just as Coronado supports, for example, Guatemalans through mission trips to Central America, it also supports Guatemalans who have come to the United States and are seeking a better life in Northern Virginia.  This church's commitment to serving those from different backgrounds shows that compassion for our neighbors can extend beyond state and country lines.