The U.S. refugee family reunification program was suspended in 2008 because of various cases of alledged fraud in submitting affidavits of relationship (AORs). It is scheduled to restart in 2011 with new guidelines that might reduce fraud, but at the cost of creating high walls between refugees and the loved ones they left behind.
This week Washington is all about DREAMs. And trying to make those DREAMs come true.
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2009, commonly referred to as the DREAM Act, may come up for a vote in the house as early as Wednesday or Thursday, according to congressional insiders.
On an average day, roughly 33,400 detainees are housed … at as many as 350 detention facilities nationwide.
Throughout her trip Susan updated us on what she was observing on the ground. When she got back we sat down with her to talk about the people she met and the struggles she witnessed.
As if preparing for a household death, families who have dug deep roots into American soil must organize their assets and prepare emergency plans in case of a deportation.
On a sunny day near Dallas TX, about 60 people gathered in a church hall to talk about immigration from theological, economic, legal, and personal perspectives as part of a workshop called Who is My Neighbor? LIRS Director for Access to Justice Leslie Vélez, Esq., led the group in a discussion to debunk common myths associated with people in the US without authorization.
Susan is on her way back from her visit to Panama and Ecuador where she was looking at the conditions Colombian refugees are facing on a daily basis. Susan took advantage of a layover in Houston to send us these short text message reflections.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Colombian refugees that live in Quito. Today we visited Colombian refugees and Ecuadorian citizens in the country of San Lorenzo.
LIRS board member Elaine Richter Bryant shared her thoughts on what it takes to move beyond hospitality and truly welcome another person. How have you been welcomed by another? What are your thoughts on how welcome and hospitality differ?