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November 7, 2024
Dear friends,
This has been a challenging week for many of our clients and for us at AIS. We know that immigrant communities will be facing greater obstacles and threats as they strive to establish new lives in our city, state and country in the years to come. We are committed to standing with them and, with our partners and allies, assisting them in exercising their rights and pursuing the dreams that led them here. Your continued support gives us strength and hope.
We buoy each other up through shared victories: read about some great things happening at AIS and for our clients in the stories below.
Blessings,
Sr. Mary Ellen Burns, ASCJ
Executive Director
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Volunteer Attorney Aids Success for Immigrant Youth | |
Background: Through a special provision of the law called SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status), children under 21 years of age who have experienced parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment may be able to receive immigration relief in the form of work authorization and, eventually, legal permanent residence. However, getting there is a lengthy and difficult process that requires a state court order as well as two rounds of applications to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). AIS receives far more referrals for SIJS cases than we can handle. Thankfully, volunteer attorney David Kenna learned about this need and stepped in to help... | | |
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David Kenna retired from 25 years of practicing law in the spring of 2022. Having participated in Habitat for Humanity builds in Latin America, David already knew he wanted to do something to help immigrants after his retirement, so when he heard about the work of AIS, he was immediately interested.
“I went down to see Sr. Mary Ellen and, when I learned about the SIJS process and the backlog of youth waiting for representation, I got right to work.” He is amazed by the strength and resilience of the youth he represents, whose emotional distress does not hold them back from working hard to create a better future for themselves and others.
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Thanks to David’s help, AIS has been able to assist more young people pursue SIJS. He is currently working with seven clients in various stages of the process. AIS has 17 clients pursuing legal permanent residence through SIJS, four of whom have pending applications for legal permanent residence. In the past year, six clients obtained the requisite orders from the state Probate Court; five submitted their initial USCIS petitions; and five received employment authorization. Thank you, David!
Are you interested in volunteering with AIS? Email us at ais.fairhaven@gmail.com!
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From Client to Accredited Representative | |
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Years ago, staff member Esmeralda (pictured at right) was an AIS client. She was represented by Erika Vergara, the first non-Apostle staff member of AIS. Erika was known for her bright personality, strong work ethic and determination, and Esmeralda took note. “I always admired Erika’s professionalism and compassion,” she says, “and I started to dream that one day I could follow in her footsteps of helping immigrants through legal work.”
That day came in 2021 when Esmeralda herself began working at AIS. In her 3 years as a paralegal and office support staff member, Esmeralda has helped hundreds of clients in their own journeys, focusing on DACA renewals and benefits for victims of crime, among other cases.
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Esmeralda's dream reached a new milestone on October 2, 2024 when she was approved by the US Department of Justice as an Accredited Representative. As an accredited rep, she can now represent her own clients in applications before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Celebration in the office ensued! And though her friend and role model Erika now lives in another state, she was sure to extend her congratulations to Esmeralda on the achievement. (Photo of zoom call with Erika)
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What is an “Accredited Representative”?
"An accredited representative is a non-attorney who has demonstrated to the Department of Justice that they have enough education and experience in immigration law to provide immigration legal services. Accredited representatives must work for a non-profit organization providing immigration legal services to low-income clients. The purpose of the program, begun in 1958, is to improve access to justice by increasing the number of representatives serving low-income immigrants." (Definition taken from CLINIC, Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc's Fact Sheet)
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Expanding Our Capacity - Welcome, Ines! | |
This September, we welcomed to our staff Ines Alvarez, who is completing a 6-month apprenticeship at AIS through the Americorps Public Allies program. According to their website (link), Public Allies is a national organization that activates leaders in local communities to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations, while they gain professional development, a stipend and an educational benefit.
Ines is primarily working on these two projects: 1) expanding outreach through community education, especially for our DACA clients, and 2) evaluating our food distribution program in order to enhance its efficiency, as well as to recruit more volunteers as needed. Ines brings a warm and enthusiastic approach to her role and is passionate about helping people provide food for their families.
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"The best part of this job is seeing how much it truly means to people. They put their pride aside to get the help they need, and that shows you what a necessary service this is." | | |
The AIS food distribution program, which provides neighborhood families with prepared boxes of staples, fruits and vegetables, requires lots of time and resources. The program takes place every Tuesday of the year, come rain, sun, or snow. There are currently 124 registered families, as well as individuals who stop by to benefit from extra food at the “pop-up” pantry. | | |
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FOOD PICKUP HELP NEEDED
Do you have some time on Tuesday mornings, and a vehicle you could use to transport boxes of food?
We are looking for a volunteer who can pick up food from Haven's Harvest warehouse in Hamden at 10:15am on Tuesdays, and transport it to our distribution location in Fair Haven. Volunteers would help you load and unload the boxes. Please email ais.fairhaven@gmail.com if you are interested.
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THANK YOU, Art Bellucci, participating musicians and artists, and everyone who attended the "Songs for New Beginnings" Benefit Concert on October 20th! The event was an impressive display of musical talent and passion, and a delightful way to spend the afternoon. We cannot thank Art Bellucci enough for choosing AIS as the beneficiary of his concert this year.
Click here for a 2-minute video on Facebook with clips from the concert, and here to see the Facebook photo album.
Through the generosity of all present, over $3,000 was raised for AIS! We are so grateful!
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Thank you for supporting immigrant families! |
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