UUCC, as a sanctuary support congregation, is providing material and financial support to one refugee family, a young mother, Julissa and her son Nestor living with a sponsor family in Columbia and one immigrant, Rosa, currently in sanctuary in the Cedar Lane UU Church in Bethesda, MD.
Rosa:
Rosa, an immigrant from El Salvador, who has lived in the U.S. for years and faithfully reported to U.S. immigration authorities, sadly was again denied a stay of her deportation and remains in sanctuary at the Cedar Lane UU Church, separated from her three U.S.-born children. We sent $900. to Cedar Lane. Some members of our congregation have visited with and accompanied Rosa.
Julissa and Nestor:
This report is from Ros Zinner with whom Julissa and Nestor are living.
Julissa and Nestor, escaping the violence in Honduras, are safely living with a sponsor family in Columbia for one month now. We are relieved that Julissa and Nestor’s check-in with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) was uneventful and the next check-in was set for 1 year from now. This doesn’t change her need to apply for and be granted asylum, which will require an immigration lawyer. We have an appointment with one coming up, but even those who accept reduced fees are expensive. The wait for free help at the legal clinics is long. Most financial help Julissa receives will go toward legal fees.
Julissa is very adaptable and her English comprehension is improving. She likes to be busy doing productive things while Nestor is in school. Her first pre-natal visit was today at St Agnes clinic. We are looking at ESL classes this summer, but not sure we have enough people to get her to class and back 4 mornings a week for a month and babysit Nestor once school is out. She is motivated and follows through on things, so maybe home tutoring or an on-line class until the fall? We’ll see if it’s possible to get there by bus also.
Nestor is doing great! He does not need more toys, clothes, or books, thank you all so much! He is playing with the neighborhood kids and enjoys going to Deep Run Elementary on the school bus. He has learned to ride a 2 wheel bike and we are working on making him more afraid of cars.
A big thanks to those who have taken Julissa and Nestor to appointments, church, and just for dinner to meet other folks. You are an important part of our team. We are relieved that Julissa and Nestor’s check-in with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) was uneventful and the next check-in was set for 1 year from now. This doesn’t change her need to apply for and be granted asylum, which will require an immigration lawyer. We have an appointment with one coming up, but even those who accept reduced fees are expensive. The wait for free help at the legal clinics is long. Most financial help Julissa receives will go toward legal fees.
If anyone wants to be on the volunteer list, please email Ros Zinner, rozzinner@gmail.com. Mostly we need people to drive Julissa to appointments or English lessons, Spanish not required. Anyone that would like to invite them for dinner, especially Spanish speakers, so they can get to know people, would be super fantastic.
We have sent $1100 to Ros and David Zinner who are sponsoring Julissa and Nestor. Some of our members have provided material support as well.
You may help Julissa and Nestor with a contribution by giving online at https://uucolumbia.net/giving/ then scroll down and select Refugee Family from the list.
Thank you for your support and for more information about UUCC’s immigration activities, please contact Jim Caldiero or Tammy Spengler at immigration@uucolumbia.net
Jim C.
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