I am an Afghan national who was evacuated to the United States in August 2021 due to the collapse of my home country, Afghanistan.
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This year we have had the privilege of sharing in the indescribable joy of parents, children and siblings seeing each other again.
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No matter how prepared and educated an asylum-seeker may be, or how strong their case is, the asylum process is always a long and arduous journey.
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“The first time I was told that Josue’s SIJ status case had been approved, I felt very happy because it was another door that had opened for my son.”
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We may encounter more obstacles than before, but that means our work is all the more crucial for ensuring that our clients' claims are heard and adjudicated fairly.
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“As an Afghan refugee in the United States, I find great fulfillment in using my language and legal skills to support others who have faced similar challenges.”
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Amid our current political climate and rhetoric, we were reminded that RILA clients share our same hopes and dreams – security for our families so that we can thrive and contribute in our communities.
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As election season ramps up this year, immigration policy is understandably an important topic of debate and discussion. But many who arrive at the border are asylum seekers like our clients – individuals and families who have been victims of crime, not perpetrators, and are genuinely fleeing persecution.
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Last week, we represented Hugo (now 20 years old!) in Immigration Court as a judge granted Hugo’s application for permanent residency. As a kind and responsible young man, he is deeply invested in supporting his mom and cares for his younger sister. We are so happy for Hugo and this new chapter in his life, and we know he will continue to be a blessing to his family and community.
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The problems with the U.S. immigration system demand more than one executive order or one president or one party can accomplish. While our nation awaits better measures from our lawmakers and leaders, RILA’s mission remains unchanged. We are still committed to supporting the most vulnerable immigrants in our community, those who left their home countries in search of refuge and freedom from persecution.
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Last week, I had the privilege of accompanying an Afghan client “Maria” to their final court hearing where a judge granted them asylum! The former Afghan government and the Taliban-controlled government in Afghanistan persecuted Maria because of her Christian faith.
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While RILA remains focused on providing excellent legal services to our clients, we know there are needs that go beyond what we can offer. And this is why RILA invites churches to partner in our work.
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Two of our clients were recently granted asylum because they suffered severe persecution at the hands of the authoritarian and dictatorial governments in their home countries. They openly opposed their governments by embracing the values of democracy, freedom of speech and expression, and a fundamental respect for human rights.
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How to craft and apply compassionate and just immigration laws in a volatile world is exceedingly complex, but our work is a simple response — a natural outpouring of love and mercy from the love and mercy we ourselves have received.
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A Fairfax district court’s ruling makes these two boys eligible for SIJS, a pathway to legal permanent residence in the U.S. and hope for a better future.
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Like many of our clients Emely continued to believe that God's plan was at work and that the death of her son would not be in vain. She is a mother deserving of justice.
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We welcome this policy change as we believe that this will help limit disruptions to our clients’ employment as they rebuild their lives in the U.S.
[Volunteering] has allowed me to connect with people who have vastly different experiences than my own and put faces and names behind news headlines or political debates.
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Read about the strength and courage of one woman’s journey to seek asylum here in the DC metropolitan area.
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Hear why our legal assistant/interpreter, Mirna, serves at RILA.
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