Some of our work involves cases that take years before we can see an impact. U-Visas for survivors of serious crime, in particular, feel sometimes as if we are providing assistance may arrive too late - it may take 5 or 6 years after applying for benefits before USCIS is able to even issue a work permit, let alone issue a final decision. Much of the immediate impact of our work with survivors of crime, then, comes from our advice and ability to help our clients plan for the future. After filing a U-Visa, we may not see a client again for years.

For Rosie, a woman who had escaped a long, abusive relationship with her ex-husband, our last meeting had ended with uncertainty - her abuser had been stalking her and harassing her, creating anxiety and fear in her life even after they had been separated. While we were able to connect Rosie to domestic violence resources for a restraining order and community support, her outcome remained uncertain.

Several years later, after we were able to finally obtain work authorization for Rosie, we were able to check in on her progress. Since our last meeting, Rosie had found a partner that was caring and responsible, and they had started a family together and had recently brought a baby daughter into the world. She had since found stable employment, and had since safely moved away to where her abuser could no longer reach her. She was looking forward to the new opportunities her social security number and employment authorization would now provide. It was an encouraging moment that reinforced one of our core beliefs - that vulnerable immigrants in our community can thrive if they are allowed to live in a safe environment, free from the threat of deportation and violence.

The 9th Annual Stand with Our Neighbors Gala & Auction raised $190,000 to provide low cost legal services to our immigrant neighbors! 

In the months ahead, we look forward to continuing our work with Afghan refugees, DACA recipients and all of our immigrant neighbors with dignity and love! Thank you for supporting this work! We are grateful for you. Check out a slide show of the gala here! A special thanks to all of our faithful volunteers (pictured) who make the Gala so welcoming and fun!

Email jean@ircsgv.org if you'd like more information on how to volunteer for the IRC.

Dear Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley (IRCSGV),

I am writing this letter to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the incredible work that your organization has been doing. It is truly refreshing to see an organization that operates with integrity, ensuring that every resource is utilized efficiently and effectively. In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, your organization serves as a beacon of hope and unity. You remind us that together, we can create positive change and build a brighter future for all. Your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others is truly remarkable, and I am honored to be a witness to the positive impact you create.

I want to take a moment to thank Bree Salthouse for her invaluable assistance with my Advance Parole* application as well as my DACA** application this year. Her dedication, expertise, and support have been instrumental in helping me navigate these processes with ease and confidence.

Traveling to my home country, Mexico, was truly an immersive and heartwarming experience. After 23 years, being able to return and reconnect with my roots has profoundly impacted my life in several ways. It allowed me to revisit the places where I grew up, reconnect with family and friends, and rediscover my heritage. This reconnection has brought a sense of belonging and identity, fostering a stronger understanding of who I am and where I come from.

Overall, traveling to my home country after such a long time has been a deeply emotional and transformative experience. It has allowed me to reflect on my past, adapt to changes, rediscover the country, and appreciate the unique aspects of my home country. This opportunity has contributed to my personal growth, broadened my perspective, and deepened my sense of gratitude and identity.

Once again, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to your organization for the incredible work you do. Thank you for being a shining example of compassion, empathy, and generosity. I am grateful for all that you do.

With heartfelt appreciation,

A.N.G.

*Advance parole is a travel authorization issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, that allows certain noncitizens inside the United States to depart and seek to reenter the country after temporary travel abroad.

**DACA is an administrative relief that gives temporary protections to eligible immigrants who came to the United States when they were children. The program provides temporary work authorization that must be renewed every two years.

Frequently, the IRC is served by volunteers embedded in the same community as our target service demographic. Our hope is that our work is mutually transformative, as we break down barriers that separate immigrant and non-immigrant from joining in authentic relationships. One such volunteer, Fatima, has been serving as a volunteer translator for several years, assisting with countless consultations and helping guide clients towards citizenship. Her own children have been clients of the IRC, and we assisted them with DACA as they continued to attend and eventually graduate college, moving away to pursue their careers. Years after first serving them, one of the children got married and became ready to move past DACA and apply for legal permanent residency. They were concerned that, since they were nonbinary, they would have difficulty proving the authenticity of their marriage and with encountering government officials that would not be accepting of their gender identity or relationships. We were able to help them feel safe and supported as we navigated the application process together, and just recently, we received news that they finally received their green card. They shared with us, “Thank you for always being there and, believe me, that your compassionate approach, your care for our family's well-being and your prompt responses to our questions eased our anxieties throughout this painful process.” We celebrate this milestone that has been years in the making, and continue the work to help all of Fatima’s family eventually become citizens, holding hope for the transformative opportunities that are still yet to come!

As always, the Stand With Our Neighbors Gala & Auction is a night to celebrate the courage and strength of our immigrant neighbors. This year, we will gather at the home of our board chair Mary Ann Lutz's home at 244 Monroe Place in Monrovia on November 4th from 6-9 p.m. Together, we will enjoy delicious food and drink, live music by our former client and renowned Israeli musician Nadav Peled, and hear the powerful stories of clients who have inspired us greatly--all beneath the twinkling stars at the base of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains.

JOIN US!

We can't wait for our biggest fundraiser of the year and we want to see you there! Tickets are $125, Tables of 8 are $1,200 and sponsorships start at $2,500. Email Jean Grant for more information.

AUCTION

Our ever popular auction is going live on October 25th and features some of our best items to date, including luxury getaways, stylish outdoor furniture, sports tickets, wine, spirits, and fun experiences for the whole family or date night! Auction closes November 5th.

LOG ON!

Log onto our auction and gala platform, GiveSmart, to begin to view auction items, register or make a gift. Check back often as we add more leading up to the day of event. 

VOLUNTEER

If you (or your group) want to volunteer, we have fun shifts that include everything from set up to food prep to decor to tear down- email Jean Grant.

DONATE AN AUCTION ITEM

If you want to donate an item for the auction, email Anna Gee or Jean Grant.

MORE

Click here to read our blog.

Click here to see slideshow of last year's fabulous Gala!

Pictured L-R Stephanie Peralta, Bree Salthouse, Rosa Cándida Ramírez

Having a great team is essential to the work that we do at the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley. I’m thankful that I get to work with individuals that not only are really good at what they do, but are also caring, compassionate and provide high quality legal services with such respect and dignity. As a team, I know that there are certain strengths that I bring to the table and in areas that I am perhaps not as strong, my colleagues are able to provide me with assistance and vice versa.

Recently, I had a client that in his younger years experienced a lot of hardship and he made some choices that later led to several DUI convictions. Over 10 years had passed and our client had become sober, but was worried that his past would keep him from ever becoming a US citizen. This client got the help he needed and was able to rehabilitate. Decades later, as his health was deteriorating, he wanted to see if he could become a Naturalized citizen and fulfill his dream of US Citizenship.

Knowing that this client was not the sum of the mistakes that he made in the past and due to his history of rehabilitation, we were retained as his representatives. We knew there was a very high chance that he would not be able to Naturalize. As a legal representative, I had to recognize my own limitations and I’m thankful that I had a teammate that I not only trust and felt comfortable consulting with, but know that is highly skilled. Stephanie is the Senior Paralegal of our organization and is a recent law graduate from McGeorge School of Law. Due to years of experience she brings her extensive knowledge in legal research and writing to the team.

While I oversaw the case management, it was Stephanie’s research and legal writing skills that helped to identify the best legal arguments to support this particular client’s case. This client is now a US Citizen and fulfilled one of his life’s dreams and aspirations.

Gracias,

Rosa Cándida Ramírez (ella/she/her)

Representante Acreditada del Departamento de Justicia | DOJ Accredited Representative

We are thrilled to announce that we have secured our first grant of guardianship for a minor in a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) case. This is a major victory for our client, who is now eligible to apply for her permanent residence and provide stability for her future.

SIJS is a form of immigration relief that is available to certain undocumented minors who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents.

As part of our SIJS petition, we also requested that the court grant guardianship to our client's aunt, who had been her sole provider since her abandonment by her biological parents at an early age. Guardianship will allow the aunt to make decisions about her niece's education, health care, and other important matters and give her the protection she needs.

The Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley strives to provide legal services to the most vulnerable members of our immigrant community, and with our newly expanded scope of services, we can now start providing assistance to SIJS-eligible undocumented minors with their family court proceedings, including guardianship, parentage, and custody, as part of their overall service plan to ultimately secure permanent residence. If you have questions or would like to help, email info@ircsgv.org.

By Jonathan Fung, Director of Legal Services

This month marks the two year anniversary of the chaotic evacuation of Afghanistan, when thousands of Afghans were airlifted to the United States to escape the Taliban. In the years since, the Immigration Resource Center has been on the frontlines of providing immigration legal services to Afghan refugees, helping them to navigate the complex U.S. immigration system and working to reunite them with family members still left behind in Afghanistan.

We have helped Afghan refugees apply for Temporary Protected Status(TPS), obtain work authorization, and adjust their status to permanent residency. We have also helped them petition to bring their spouses and children to the U.S. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have been able to help over 40 Afghan refugees achieve their immigration goals, and assist another 40 of their family members with the reunification process.

We are proud of the work we have done to assist Afghan refugees, but we know that there is still much work to be done. Many refugees are still struggling to adjust to life in America and many of the families that we started assisting 2 years ago, still require legal assistance, as many of them still do not have their permanent residence granted and are waiting for final decisions in their applications. We hope to assist these families until they reach their final goals of becoming U.S. citizens.

Thanks to your ongoing support of this work, we can continue to provide pro-bono support with love and dignity to the Afghan refugee community and help them overcome financial barriers that stand in the way of pursuing their legal rights, their freedom and their safety. We believe in the transformative power of welcome.

questions? Want to help? email us at info@ircsgv.org

From Isabella Henriquez, Scripp College student - IRC Summer Legal Intern

This summer through my internship with the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley I was able to gain experience that allowed me to dream about the type of environment I would want to work in someday. One major highlight was that I was able to meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds, such as our Afghan clients. Before this summer, I had never met someone from Afghanistan. It was so interesting to assist with their legal documents from Afghanistan, read their personal statements about why they were petitioning for asylum in the United States, and meet them in person. It even made me want to learn Pashto or Dari!

I also had the privilege of interpreting during legal consultations for Spanish speaking clients. This also gave me insight into the many struggles immigrants go through just to gain their legal status in the US. It was surprising to learn that the wait time for a U-visa is five to twenty years because the government only gives out around 10,000 U-visas per year. The U-Visa is for clients who have been victims of violent crime and/or domestic abuse. Our clients would sometimes get very disillusioned and distressed over their cases, and it was heartbreaking to see them in such distress. But there were highlights too, such as hearing a client celebrate the arrival of their legal permanent resident card, helping reunite families, and reading thank you messages from our clients. All these things made the experience worth it, despite times of sadness.

I am so thankful that I was able to take this internship. The IRC has been so kind. The entire team accepted me as one of their own, guided me, and taught me so much. I know the lessons I learned this summer will be valuable for the rest of my time at college and wherever I end up in the future. Thank you for the wonderful summer experience!

From the desk of Rosa Cándida Ramírez, DOJ Accredited Legal Representative.

This year we have had the very exciting opportunity to receive funding from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to underwrite the cost of providing Naturalization services and DACA renewal services for over 125 immigrants who are living below the poverty line. Additionally, the funding covers the very expensive filing fees that the US government charges to renew DACA and to become a US Citizen. These fees are so prohibitively expensive that many immigrants must defer or even forgo much needed legal services.

We are pleased to be able to clear away a significant hurdle standing in the way of our client's dreams. As of last week, the IRCSGV has helped cover the application fees for 59 people seeking citizenship (accounting for $42,775 in filing fees) and 68 people seeking to renew their DACA (accounting for $33,660 in filing fees.) That means the IRCSGV has been able to save 127 clients $76,000 in filing fees and over 70,000 in attorney fees.

By opening this door, clients who cannot afford an attorney were able to benefit from high quality, free representation with dignity at the IRCSGV. Thank you for supporting us on this amazing journey!

Did you know...

• Over 800,000 individuals have received DACA since 2012?

• The average age of a DACA recipient is 28?

• The majority of DACA recipients participate in the labor force, contributing an estimated $13.3 billion annually?

• The Majority of DACA recipients work in industries such as healthcare, business services, and education?

• Nearly 40% of DACA recipients are married  and nearly 50% have US born children?

There is no doubt that DACA recipients are deeply rooted in our society, contributing through their lives, education and careers to make our communities stronger. It is an ongoing concern that DACA recipients still face the possibility of deportation. 

The IRC is excited to announce that we have been chosen to receive a grant that allows us to offer 60 free consultations for DACA recipients to renew their DACA. In addition, the grant includes covering the cost for each Dreamer's government filing fee of $495. For a young immigrant, the renewal process can seem pointless as Congress seems to have no appetite to create a pathway to citizenship for these Dreamers. Additionally, to continue to renew every two years to the tune of $495, may also seem insurmountable. We are thrilled to be able to allay fears and frustrations by offering this service to our immigrant neighbors for free! If you know someone who needs to renew their DACA, they can register for an appointment on our new Acuity system here: ircsgv.as.me 

*The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was created under former president Barack Obama, to protect eligible young adults who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation and to provide them with work authorization for temporary, renewable periods.

I arrived early and my clients arrived earlier. I walked up to the party of 7 waiting outside the federal building doors for me. Mom, Dad, 4 young children, an interpreter, and a friend. This was a very important interview. This family was evacuated from the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan during the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal in 2021. The husband and father of this family had worked faithfully for the U.S. military for 8 years. He had already received a high-clearance Chief of Mission Special Immigrant Visa, but stress was high as he was still subject to intense questioning.

Thankfully, the USCIS officer assigned to our case is an expert in Afghan issues. He greeted the family in Persian Dari and spoke the language with them whenever he could. He addressed the wife and mother with respect, and he offered the children candy and stickers at the end of the interview. Our client did very well during the interview, he spoke his truth. I glanced over at the family. Two children sharing a chair, the one closest to the wall asleep, face smushed into the arm rest. We had waited for two hours just to be seen. The children had every reason to be fussy. And yet, the parents treated them with grace and sweetness, in the midst of great stress, recounting the days of evacuation, recounting the years of living in active combat. They were some of the lucky ones--the whole family was able to make it out together. They were able to find each other at the airport, to obtain clearance through several checkpoints, and to not be stopped by the Taliban on the way to the airport. Their unity was palpable, passing the baby back and forth without a question. As our client answered questions, he rocked the youngest baby in his arms. I was struck by the resilience of this family. They have every reason to be bitter and hardened, yet they remain tender and loving. They displayed that their humanity will not be broken by dehumanization. Like many who have lost almost everything, they seem at peace with the fact that they can't always be in control. After four hours, we exited the building.In a display of tenderness and humanity, the family invited me to lunch at their home. We ate and drank with tranquility. Please keep this family in mind in the next few weeks. We wait and hope for a full approval.

by Bree Salthouse

On my first day of highschool, I met a girl named Juliana* in my Freshman biology class who soon became one of my best friends. She lived right across the street from school, with her mother, father, and two sisters. It was not long before I was visiting her house almost every day after school, where I got to practice Spanish with her parents, eat amazing food, and learn to flip hot tortillas with my hands. As a “member of the family”, I watched the World Cup with her family, was invited to dance in quinceañeras, and learned to play games like Lotería at countless sleepovers. My senior year, I learned that Juliana’s family was undocumented and had been living in fear of being deported all this time. When I learned this, my heart broke, and I made a secret promise to myself that one day I would help them and others like them.

Fast forward to 2014, I began working at a nonprofit youth mentoring organization, and became devoted to the community of Azusa and its families. I never forgot about my promise to someday help Juliana and her family. One summer I learned about the Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) program. Accreditation would allow someone like me to be able to operate under an approved nonprofit providing immigration legal services and actually be able to provide legal services under the supervision of an attorney. I knew I needed to be able to get the training without leaving my job, and wanted to be able to accumulate broad knowledge quickly. As I researched, I found a program called VIISTA (Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates), the first of its kind to provide affordable, 100% online, and asynchronous education to train immigrant advocates to become Accredited Representatives. I signed up and started the program in August of 2021.

In September 2022, I found the IRC and started volunteering 10 hours a week. The staff of the IRC immediately began to invest in me, provide training, love, and support. As a result, I am now a Fully-Accredited Representative! My dream to help Juliana was about to come true. Soon, I was able to connect with Juliana again and become her legal representative. Together, we successfully applied for her Advance Parole, allowing Juliana to have permission to legally leave the US and return, and opening up a pathway for her to now apply for a Green Card.

Because of this journey, she will be able to have more stability with her husband, have children, and in a few years apply for naturalization and petition for the rest of her family to have permanent residency as well. I’ve promised her family that I will personally represent them with every part of the process. It will be a long and arduous journey for them, but one that has become possible for the first time since they arrived in the US escaping violence and poverty 25 years ago.

I am eternally grateful for the Accreditation and Recognition Program, and to the IRC, for the gift of being able to give back to a family who has shaped me into who I am, and to serve other families like them.

Brianna Greer

*Name changed for privacy

One of our clients recently paid us the highest compliment ever. He said, “I love coming to the IRC. And even though my case is done, I count the days until I can come back!” This former client, now an “alumnus” of the IRC experience, is in our hearts forever. In his beloved home country, he was tortured, kidnapped and beaten for his beliefs. His story, his passion and his fierce love for his family caused this client to make an indelible mark on us.

Last month, we accompanied a non-verbal, non-ambulatory client to the embassy and advocated for his legal efficacy. The client exhibited his strength, his personal pride and his ability to persevere, not even willing for anyone to push his wheelchair and we couldn’t help but be blown away by him. Despite the many communication barriers, he was able to share his gratitude, kindness and hope to our staff.

This month we had a young lady come to us needing Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) before she turned 21 and became ineligible for this legal remedy. Knowing that time was of the essence, we called in a former board member and her legal team to help us turn this case around in record time. And it happened! We are so proud of her! So young, so brave, so ready to follow her dreams and create a better life for herself and her family. 

The bottomline is this - at the IRC, we do not see ourselves as changing lives, rather, we are being changed by the extraordinary people who walk through our doors every day.

-Jean Grant, Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships

Hey guys! It’s Lily here to give you a little taste of what an average day at the IRC looks like as a Development and Legal intern. Today I arrived at the office with my pastry and coffee ready to work. I first visited with the legal team and then received assignments from different members according to what was needed from me today. Everytime I get the opportunity to fill out a new type of application, waiver, or benefit, I get to learn something new! Today the learning curve was how to file an N-400 for a client that has gone by multiple different names on their various legal documents. 

After working on that case, I began to help Stephanie Perlat with another form, when suddenly we learned from Rosa Ramirez that a client at the IRC needed help! He had made it all the way to his immigration interview, studied hard and passed all of the questions, when he was told that he needed to set up an IRS payment plan. Unfortunately this meant that the legal staff needed to all start over. After the failed interview, he had been unsuccessfully trying to set up the plan. Rosa told me that he would be coming in 5 minutes, and asked me to help him create an IRS payment plan! No one in the office had ever set one up before but luckily the APU  social work  intern Mayrely was able to find some information to help me out. 

After figuring out how to navigate the website and create an account, we then waited on hold with the IRS. Almost 2.5 hours later he was finally able to get a payment plan in place! After a quick high-five, he left the office and we continued to work on his naturalization paperwork. 

My favorite thing about the amazing staff at the Immigration Resource Center is the way in which each staff member truly cares for each person who walks through the door. The IRC is not a legal clinic, but truly a resource center! When I first started interning here I was told that here at the IRC “it’s all about love”. It might sound cliche but, week after week, I have found that love permeates every aspect of the work here. Whether it be sitting with someone on the phone with someone for an hour, buying diapers, helping people feed or house their families or, of course, helping clients receive legal counsel, the IRC strives to meet the needs of the whole person. I am so grateful to have been able to learn from Jean, Jonathan, Rosa, Stephanie, Bree, Gabby, and Samantha: people who really, truly care. 

A client, whom we will call Benjamin, called us desperately looking for an appointment for a DACA renewal. Given the large need in our community, the organization where he normally went for his renewal was not able to help with his renewal. He learned about our organization from a friend and decided to give us a call. Given the uncertainty with the DACA program, our office does everything we can to assist with any DACA renewals that come through the door. We were able to help Benjamin file his DACA renewal the following day and he was very grateful. We were also able to share insight about the Advance Parole process available to DACA recipients and he was taken aback by the information we were able to provide. The following was an email he sent after being notified that his application was mailed out: “Thank you so much for your help! I can’t thank you enough. The work you and your colleagues do is so important and is changing LIVES.” Thank you, dear reader, for your continued financial support, which helps the IRCSGV provide quality care to members of our community.

From the desk of

Stephanie Peralta,

Senior Paralegal

Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley

Prima Facie is a latin term meaning "on its face" or "at first look." In the immigration legal world, it's an important status determination for Violence Against Women Act or *VAWA cases, and often the first glimpse of hope for abused spouses who have applied for the VAWA program. While it's not the final case decision, Prima Facie Determination is a conditional approval that gives petitioners a work permit, as well as eligibility to receive benefits like Medi-Cal, CalWorks and food assistance programs. Vital resources that provide hope, help and dignity on their immigration journey.

I recently let a VAWA client know that she was granted Prima Facie, and this was her response: 

"Muchas gracias por todo el esfuerzo que hace día a día al ayudarnos y mantenernos al tiempo de todo muchas gracias Y estoy feliz también con la noticia. Y espero con entusiasmo que lleguen los demás documentos con ayuda y fe aprobados."

English translation: "Thank you very much for all the effort you do day by day in helping us and keeping us up to date with everything. Thank you so much And I am happy with the news. And I am eagerly waiting for the other documents to arrive, with help and faith, approved."

Bree Salthouse
DOJ Accredited Representative | Representante Reconocida por el Departamento de Justicia

*The original Violence Against Women Act, passed in 1994 and authored by then-Senator Joseph R. Biden, was the first federal legislation acknowledging domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes and provided federal resources to encourage community-coordinated responses to combating violence against women. 

VAWA was reauthorized by bipartisan majorities in Congress in 2000 as part of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (H.R. 3244), and again in December 2005, and signed by President George W. Bush. In 2022, President Biden signed into law the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation passed by Congress as part of the Omnibus appropriations package.

The work of the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley (IRCSGV/IRC) is done en conjunto—in collaboration with—many volunteers, community partners and skilled attorneys. As a result, the IRC has created a network (far bigger than originally imagined) of trusted practitioners that provide comprehensive services to our immigrant neighbors with dignity, empathy, compassion and diligence.

One of the amazing attorneys that we get to work en conjunto with is attorney and former board member, Alma Puente and her associate, attorney Dulce Velazquez.It was thanks to their swift and diligent work that Nicolasa (not her real name), a 20 year old woman who was formally without immigration status, was able to receive Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJS) status. Nicolasa had come to the United States after tragically losing her mother and when she arrived in the United States, her father also passed away.

Before coming to the IRC, Nicolasa had seen an immigration attorney who promised to help her but was charging her thousands of dollars while nothing of substance was ever done with her case. Looking for help, Nicolasa was recommended by a friend to the IRC.

When Nicolasa came to the IRC, the legal team recognized that she was a candidate to apply for SIJS and had not applied for that specific relief before. We referred Nicolasa to attorney Puente’s office who personally met with Nicolasa who was under the time constraint of getting her case solved before aging out at 21. Alma and her team were able to find a way to expedite the case in order for Nicolasa to be served within the deadline.

The swift referral and having a network of trusted immigration attorneys made it possible for Nicolasa to get the help needed, rin the nick of time. For that, we are so, so thankful for the continued work and diligence of our friends, Alma Puente and Dulce Velazquez.

Art Credit: Anna Alvarado

Adriana, a recipient of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from El Salvador, first came to the United States 30 years ago, and has since raised two children. As a TPS recipient, she faced uncertainty about her ability to stay in the US permanently, as the inclusion of El Salvador on the list of protected countries became a political flashpoint over the last few years. So she saved up what money she could to apply for permanent residency and avoided taking personal trips, even to see her mother, who had been separated from her for 30 years.

Adriana received devastating news - her mother had suffered a stroke, and began receiving hospice care. As a recipient of TPS, Adriana has the right to travel to see her mother, but only upon filing a formal application with USCIS, which normally would take months that Adriana wasn't sure her mother had. Adriana had had one last chance to say goodbye.

We worked to request an emergency appointment from USCIS, gathering what documents the family had available on short notice, and met with Adriana and her family at the downtown USCIS office. The outcome of our request would be uncertain - despite Adriana's best efforts, they were unable to obtain any medical records showing evidence of a stroke. After several hours of waiting, we met with an officer to explain the situation, advocating for USCIS to consider the situation a medical emergency, showing letters and pictures and explaining the circumstances in which crucial documents were missing. Thankfully, the officer was understanding, and Adriana was able to purchase a plane ticket that day to reunite with her mother.

Our office was thankful to be able to be part of this process of family reunion, and continues to work to ensure that Adriana will be able to have the right to stay reunited with her daughters in the US so that her cycle of generational trauma will be broken.

Mikhail, a Russian architect who wanted to see his country become more democratic and free, spent much of his youth supporting politicians who opposed Putin's autocratic regime. To his horror, he watched as Russia launched an attack against its neighbor in February of this year, plunging the entire region into violence and chaos. Mikhail, together with his wife and young son, decided to flee as quickly as possible to protect his family, before he was forced to fight in a war that he did not believe in.

It took all of their life savings to leave, as they found themselves faced with closed border after closed border. The family was able to make their way to Turkey, where they found themselves unable to seek asylum, then to Mexico, where they presented themselves at the U.S. border, only to be turned away without their asylum claims being heard, due to ongoing restrictions under Title 42. Left with only dangerous choices, the family made the decision to swim across the Rio Grande River, before finally being able to apply for asylum due to their physical presence inside the U.S.

The IRC was connected to Mikhail through word-of-mouth, as he received assistance from various churches once he entered the US. We provided support with referrals to appropriate asylum agencies in Los Angeles, as well as our network of supporters to help Mikhail find work as an architect. Even when our ability to provide direct legal assistance is limited, the IRC hopes to provide as much holistic care as possible, connecting immigrants to resources that they need to be able to thrive in their new homes.