Community Steps Up to Help Immigrant Justice Project Client
Recently, one of CAIR-WA's Immigrant Justice Project (IJP) attorneys learned that a client of hers needed extra financial assistance to make his asylum interview in Washington. When our community learned of this urgent need, they stepped up and made it possible for this brother to attend his asylum interview and ensure a better life for himself and his family.
Anessa, an attorney with CAIR-WA's Immigrant Justice Project, learned that her client Abdul (name changed for privacy), who had been struggling with PTSD-like mental health issues had moved out of state to be with his sister and brother-in-law and seek work. Meanwhile, his asylum interview was scheduled in Tukwila in Washington state for August 31, 2023.
Anessa, an attorney with CAIR-WA's Immigrant Justice Project, learned that her client Abdul (name changed for privacy), who had been struggling with PTSD-like mental health issues had moved out of state to be with his sister and brother-in-law and seek work. Meanwhile, his asylum interview was scheduled in Tukwila in Washington state for August 31, 2023.
Asylum interviews at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office are a critical step in the asylum process, which is a form of protection from prosecution in the asylee’s home country and a path to long-term immigration status. In addition to the fact that these interviews are difficult to reschedule and are key in moving a client’s case forward, it can be detrimental to a client’s case if they don’t attend or have to cancel, for any reason.
For Abdul, gaining asylum and, eventually, his green card are especially important as his wife, young child, and parents are still stuck in Afghanistan, struggling with basic needs and safety. Once Abdul’s status is secure, he can petition for them to join him in the U.S.
In order for him to return to Washington for the interview and begin to build some stability, Abdul needed financial assistance for the flight and housing costs for the two nights surrounding the asylum interview.
CAIR-WA put out the call to our community, giving a brief overview of the situation and asking for $1200 to cover flights and hotel costs. The community responded, reaching the funding goal within 72 hours, with 18 donors giving an average of $67. Any extra funds will go towards other needs for IJP clients. You can view the LaunchGood campaign here.
On August 31, 2023, Abdul successfully attended the interview, and is now waiting to receive asylum approval.
Thank you so much to everyone who made it possible for this client to attend this critical step in the immigration process.
If you would like to learn more about the Immigrant Justice Project, or donate, please click here.
To learn more about asylum, attend our upcoming in-person Asylum Presentation. You can find up-to-date event details on our social media channels: Facebook, instagram, and Twitter.