Q&A With RILA President/CEO Natalie Foote
Natalie Foote founded RILA three years ago after an inescapable conviction to love immigrant neighbors and advocate for them legally. Nat, a mom of four and pursuer of God’s work and the renewal of his people, says of the last three years, “I've been changed by experiencing and witnessing this love that lights up the darkest and most painful places.”
What were you doing prior to RILA?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and prior to RILA I was a counselor at Redeemer Counseling Services with Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. I also worked in a community mental health clinic in Brooklyn, New York.
How did you become passionate about helping immigrants?
From the time I first started walking with Jesus, I felt called to work with those on the margins of society and culture. From reading the Scriptures, it was clear to me that the people who society deemed to have no value, rights or voice were especially important to God. Old Testament Scriptures repeat, over and over, that God Himself protects and seeks justice on behalf of those who are poor, widows and immigrants. These latter two groups had essentially no rights in their society. Jesus spent much of his time with people who were cast aside and shut out. I concluded that to walk with Jesus, to know Jesus, is to serve, love and walk with those who are marginalized, suffering and oppressed because this is what Jesus did. This conviction is why I became a social worker -- because I wanted to spend my life for justice on behalf of those who aren't able to advocate for themselves. By doing this work, we at RILA have the privilege of joining God in his work- the redemption and renewal of people, systems and the world.
Why legal aid?
Legal aid is critical to the immigrant community and especially to asylum-seekers. The U.S. immigration system and laws are complex and continually changing, and many times immigrants do not know what kind of legal status they may be eligible for, much less how to apply for a legal status. Asylum-seekers are often still coping with the effects of severe past trauma and loss, and many of them have hardly any material possessions or resources due to fleeing their home countries with nothing. Asylum-seekers often do not speak English. Many of RILA's asylum-seekers are children; some have a parent with them, but many do not. Applying for asylum requires hundreds of hours of work, a complete application, affidavits, supporting evidence, research, and a coherent legal argument. Therefore, most asylum-seekers are not able to apply successfully for asylum on their own. For those eligible for asylum in the U.S., legal aid can be the difference between receiving justice and protection or not.
What do you want people to know about our clients?
RILA families are courageous and resilient, and they are acquainted with suffering and loss. They are simply seeking the opportunity to live in a safe place, free from fear, and the chance to rebuild their lives and heal. Though many of them have been through unspeakable tragedy, they persevere, find joy and persist in hope. RILA families are not perfect, but we don't serve them because they are perfect. We serve them because they are people who are loved by God.
How has the past three years affected you?
Being immersed in stories of suffering, tragedy, risk-taking and perseverance has expanded my heart. My understanding of people and the world has expanded, and therefore my view of God has expanded. I know God to be far more gracious, compassionate, patient and present now than I did before my work with RILA. The suffering in the world is severe and ugly, but God's saving and redeeming love is deep, radical and healing. I've been changed by experiencing and witnessing this love that lights up the darkest and most painful places.