November Newsletter

November invites us to count our blessings and, thanks to you, our clients have many blessings to count: reunions with family thanks to long-awaited immigrant visas; new possibilities with the receipt of green cards or employment authorization; newly-acquired U.S. citizenship.

All thanks to your commitment to welcome the stranger, to build strong communities, to keep the promise of opportunity alive.

This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for you!

Congratulations and Welcome!

Sr. Luisa Villegas, pictured here with a former client, became the Vice Provincial of the U.S. Province of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in July. In her four years on the AIS staff, Sr. Luisa began the weekly Food Distribution Program, which now serves over 120 families. As a partially accredited representative, she helped clients achieve citizenship, legal residence, DACA and immigrant visas.

Sr. Luisa still volunteers at AIS and recently prepared a client for a successful naturalization interview Thank you for your dedication!

Sr. Alice Legan joined the AIS staff as administrative assistant and bookkeeper in July, but these titles do not do justice to the many responsibilities she has assumed since then! In addition to her meticulous financial record-keeping, Sr. Alice updates progress of clients' legal cases, spearheads grant applications and coordinates with volunteers for food pickup and delivery for our Tuesday food distribution program.

Sr. Alice, we give you a very hearty welcome to the AIS team!

A Special Ceremony

Thus far in 2023, twenty-six AIS clients have become U.S. citizens! Most clients attended their oath ceremony at a federal courthouse or at the USCIS office in Hartford. But for one client, becoming a citizen required special effort on all sides.

While awaiting his naturalization date, "Anthony" became very ill. He was hospitalized several times, underwent multiple surgeries and experienced general decline in health. AIS maintained communication with USCIS while his family obtained necessary medical documentation. On November 20, 2023, Anthony achieved his dream when a USCIS officer came to the rehabilitation center to administer the oath of allegiance to him. "This was the happiest day we've had in a long time," his wife said, "The whole family came to celebrate with him."

I appreciate all that you did for me. I felt your assistance every step of the way. - Client evaluation.

Clients celebrate citizenship with attorney Michael Gibbons and Lady Liberty!

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Thank you for supporting immigrant families!