Dear Friend,

Most of the unaccompanied minors who arrive in the United States are fleeing abuse, war, and even gangs. Such was the story of Tania, an unaccompanied minor from El Salvador who came to the United States in 2020 with her 11-year-old nephew, Fernando. They were both reunited with Fernando’s mother (Tania’s sister), in North Carolina. Our lawyers assisted and represented Tania in seeking asylum due to gang persecution.

They submitted her asylum application in 2021 and attended her asylum interview. In February 2022, Tania was granted asylum and received a work permit, and she will soon become a Legal Permanent Resident. They also assisted Fernando’s mother in obtaining legal custody due to his father’s absence, which was granted in 2021.

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) believes every child who comes to this country seeking asylum should have a right to proper legal representation. Your gift can help us ensure that vulnerable children receive the support they need as they transition to their new home.

USCRI’s goal is to find pathways to permanent residency for children like Tania and Fernando and to ensure they are represented by people who understand and can relate to their individual experiences. Jaquelinne Murillo Figueroa, our Staff Attorney in North Carolina, fits the bill.

  

Jaquelinne was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico and came to the United States when she was 10 years old. She pursued a career as an immigration attorney while living and serving as a teacher in Harlingen, Texas, and later had the opportunity to serve as a Child Advocate for Unaccompanied Children.

Since the beginning of her legal career, she has represented people in removal proceedings, including detained individuals at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, and non-detained individuals in various Immigration Courts throughout the country. In 2020, she joined USCRI North Carolina as a Staff Attorney and now oversees the Nuevo Comienzo Program (New Beginning Program) and represents unaccompanied children in North Carolina state courts, the Charlotte Immigration Court, and the Arlington Asylum Office.

“As an immigrant myself, I not only have a professional connection with my clients but a personal one as well, which has helped in building the trust that an attorney-client relationship needs. I am aware of the difficulties that arise when coming to the United States at a young age, not only the immigration legal implications but the personal barriers such as language and cultural differences. Due to this, I have the unique ability to serve my clients and connect with them. It is a privilege that I do not take lightly to be able to serve my community as their advocate.”

Your donation can help secure legal representation for unaccompanied children like Tania and Fernando, who come to this country with little to no support. YOU can ensure the rights of asylum seekers are protected and their needs met.

Thank you,





 
Kevin Sturtevant, CFRE
Vice President, Strategic Development
USCRI