Immigration Justice and Reform
FHC Immigration Task Force meeting on Zoom
January 13, 2022
Attending: Sharon, Gary, Julie, Quentin, Anne, Jeff, Charity, Virginia, Steve You were missed: Ron
Emmanuel, Idrissa and Issoufou
Jeff summarized a discussion that attorneys Brian Hoffman and Maureen DeVito with the help of a Moiré interpreter had with Emmanuel, Idrissa, Issoufou and Jeff. The purpose of the conversation was to inform them of the status of their appeal. This is a summary of Jeff’s summary:
The immigration court system is beginning to have hearings again. A one to three judge panel will review Judge Horton’s ruling (in December 2019, denying them asylum) and examine new evidence provided by the attorneys concerning this case, particularly information about the extent of the violence in Burkina Faso. The lawyers have been gathering information on what is happening in Burkina Faso and documenting why it is unsafe for the men to return. They have a Burkina Faso expert witness that will help them support what they are saying. Briefs are currently being written and will be submitted in February. The panel could take up to a year before making a decision. The attorneys believe the most likely scenario to be a referral back to Judge Horton for a ruling based on the new information. When this occurs, The Guys could apply for work permits. However, it currently takes on average 4 to 6 months for work permits to be approved. In speaking with Emmanuel, Idrissa and Issoufou, Jeff reinforced that this would be a long (over 2 year) process.
Jeff encourages people to come forward with additional work for these men to do, e.g. home projects. Emmanuel is also an experienced auto mechanic. Shoveling snow does not seem to have much interest due to the cold.
John Lentz is working on getting them passes at the Cleveland Heights rec center.
The Task Force discussed the idea of the men preparing a video about life in Burkina Faso. This could be put on the FHC YouTube channel and would be a way of educating the congregation and friends of FHC about their home country while also giving them a constructive way to spend their days during winter. Action item: Task Force members are to suggest topics for this presentation. A suggestion was made to use an interview format to help move the piece along. It was advised to have this completed and shown before Lent. We will aim for late February. Jeff said he would begin work on this soon and begun by consulting with the men to see if this is something they might be interested in doing.
The Asylum Fund has a current balance of $5,447. This fund has been supplemented by three different Endowment and Justice and Mission grants.
Leonor and family
All the necessary documents have been filed to get Leonor a U-Visa. Once it is issued, she can put Jose on her documents so that he can also get a green card and be in line for citizenship. But, for now, we wait. The granting of the U-Visa is not expected until around October 2022.
According to Sharon, Leonor’s health continues to need attention. She had COVID a while ago before their wedding. Jose’s landscaping work won’t get going until Spring or early summer. Eric is doing better. The younger boys are in school.
There is a balance of $3,443 in the Garcia Education Fund and a balance of $933 in the Sanctuary Fund. Leonor and Jose are to be asked if the Education Fund should be rolled into the Sanctuary Fund or if they want to keep it separate to cover education related expenses for the boys.
U.S./Mexico Border tour
Steve gave an update on the survey of FHC members and friends to assess interest in the work of the task force and of a border tour in particular. The survey should be distributed electronically soon. The next task force meeting will be timed to allow for an examination of the results of the survey.
Next meeting
February 17, 7 p.m., on Zoom
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