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Our
volunteers step in to carry out much of the work with these cases. With a
routine case, we have the client come into the office for an
appointment only twice before the application is ready to mail to
Immigration. We try not to revisit the reason why the client has status
as an asylee or refugee, because it is by definition a reason that
involves trauma. But we do enjoy learning about the client and the
family, family members both with them and those still "back home."
Our
volunteer Theresa is working on a green card application for a woman
from Egypt. She earns $576 a month, with which she supports her husband
and their child; she was a homemaker in her home country. Her husband
and child are newly arrived, and the husband is looking for employment.
In addition to working with the client, Theresa has also been working
with the physician that completed the required medical form. The
physician noted that the client was not required to have a flu vaccine
because it is "not flu season." Theresa is working with the doctor's
office to correct this oversight, and save our client months of delay in
the processing of her green card application.
Three
volunteers worked with a family from China at our Tuesday evening
clinic. The sixteen-year-old served as the interpreter; she is the
eldest of three sisters. She has been in the United States for almost
two years and is already fluent in English. We spoke with her about
college, and made calculations with her as to whether she could get U.S.
citizenship before she graduates from high school. We then explained
to the father that we had been speaking with his daughter about
college. He beamed in response, nodded, and said, "Of course! I came to
this country for my daughters."
Priscilla
Ro has served as a volunteer attorney with Just Neighbors since July.
She has office hours three days per week and maintains her own caseload,
including family unification cases and cases for victims of domestic
violence. Priscilla, fluent in Spanish, came to us with immigration law
experience and received her law degree at American University's
Washington College of Law. We are very fortunate to have her while she
pursues paid employment.
Around the Office
Just
Neighbors welcomes the newest member of our family! Staff Attorney
Sarah Selim Milad and her husband, Father David, had their first child
this month, Elijah. They are doing well and are even sleeping
occasionally. We will be glad to have Sarah back with us in January.
Falon Rainey, Legal Fellow at Just Neighbors
I
first became interested in immigration while participating in the
International Baccalaureate program in high school. While attending the
Florida State University, I wrote my honors thesis on the positive
impact that immigrants have on American society, which further piqued my
interest in immigration. During law school at the University of Miami,
I was fortunate to have the chance to learn from many esteemed
immigration law practitioners including Mr. Ira Kurzban. While I was in
Miami, I also had the opportunity to clerk at a full service
immigration firm for a year. It is so rewarding to help immigrants
navigate the legal system and obtain the benefits to which they are
entitled. Since passing the Bar I was awarded a Legal fellowship to
work at Just Neighbors full time for six months and I absolutely love
the work!
Get Involved
Alternative Gift Fairs
Just
Neighbors will be taking part in two Alternative Gift Fairs in December
for those who would like to give to a local organization for the
holidays as part of their gift-giving. The first fair will take place
in Fairfax on December 3rd. More information can be found at www.giftsthatgivehope.org/fairfax. The second gift fair will be in Arlington on December 3rd. More information can be found at www.giftsthatgivehope.org/Arlington.
Both fairs include well-respected organizations throughout the
community. Also, both fairs allow you to shop on-line at their websites
for those who cannot attend in person. Happy shopping!
NAP Program
For
the second straight year, Just Neighbors will take part in Virginia's
Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). Individuals who pay Virginia
income taxes will receive a 40% tax credit on any donation made to Just
Neighbors of $500 or more. The gift cannot be made on-line, and the
number of available credits is limited. For more information, visit www.justneighbors.org/donate or contact Rob Rutland-Brown, Executive Director, at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Client Update
In May 2010, we shared the heart-wrenching story of Arash (see www.justneighbors.org/client-stories),
who was wrongly accused of a violent crime. Although the case against
him crumbled and was clearly unfounded, Arash spent nine months in jail
here. His entire family had green cards, but he needed Just Neighbors'
help to receive his because the arrest had caused Immigration to put his
application on hold. He received his green card last summer.
This
month, Arash had his interview to obtain U.S. citizenship. After his
swearing-in ceremony, he left a brief and emotional message on his
attorney Allison's voicemail, exclaiming "I'm an American!"
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