John, I’m sure you know what it feels like to go through really tough times. That’s where I was eight years ago when I reached out to the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC). My mother and my sister and I arrived in the United States about 20 years ago. We crossed the border walking for three days and three nights to reunite with my dad, who had traveled to the U.S. a few years prior because he wasn’t able to make ends meet in Mexico. In Chicago, my dad never wanted to drive outside of the city because he was afraid that immigration was going to get us. We lived a life of fear, and in the shadows, and really not even wanting to tell anyone about our status. At the time I came to NIJC, I was without income, living in my parents' house, trying my hardest to make ends meet, and my parents were in the same boat. I couldn't imagine being able to afford any legal representation at that time. So when my mom’s friend told me about NIJC, I remember waking up the next morning and going there and meeting with a legal worker. They told me, “You might be able to apply for a U visa, for people without status who are survivors of crimes and who help investigators or prosecutors investigate the crime.” Volunteer attorneys from Latham & Watkins LLP helped me file my paperwork and go through the process, and it took about two years for my visa to be granted. Meanwhile, I left for college for three years to get my degree, but I felt guilty, like I abandoned by daughter. When I graduated college, I really didn’t know what I was going to do – I had this beautiful piece of paper that said that I have a degree, but I couldn’t do anything with it because I didn’t have work authorization. I used to cry in frustration and see my daughter and not know how I would take care of her. And then perfect timing: my work authorization came! My parents were able to apply for work authorization through me and we all got our work permits at the same time. For the whole family, something good came out of such a difficult situation. After I got my work authorization, I started applying to jobs like there was no tomorrow. When I got my first “official” job, it was pretty surreal. In Mexico we really didn’t have much, and to come to a point where I’m making something out of myself, it does something. It gives you a little bit of hope back. Today, I’m a program supervisor at a nonprofit organization where I work with young adults who have graduated from high school and don’t have a plan or had plans that fell through, and I help them get career training and job placements. I also work part-time at an immigration law firm—it’s one of my passions. The immigration process can be so intimidating, and I really like to be that person who can talk people through the process and ease their nerves and then empower them to be able to speak their piece, and hopefully with that be able to adjust their immigration status. I am only one of tens of thousands of individuals who, through NIJC, have been able to adjust their immigration status and who are now able to make their livelihood. Thanks to NIJC, I have work that I’m passionate about that makes a difference for others and I'm now able to provide for my daughter. My life was up in the air until NIJC came along and helped us out, and that was the saving grace for me. I ask you today to make a donation to NIJC to allow others, who are right now in the same difficult position my family was eight years ago, to have access to the same legal assistance that changed my life. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to NIJC before the end of the year here: https://www.immigrantjustice.org/donate My story is proof that your donation will make a difference. Your donation today will allow others like me to receive life-changing legal assistance: https://www.immigrantjustice.org/donate Thank you for your generosity and compassion for your immigrant neighbors! -Alejandra Romo
Nonprofit professional and former NIJC client |