The folks the Guardian Group help are all in the country legally. However, some of the details in the graphic below — such as being able to get drivers’ licenses without Social Security numbers — affect the people we are working with.
This graphic was sent to us by Liz Nelson… thanks!
This infographic came from PM Guardian.com
We spent a lot of time and energy worrying about housing for our refugees.
It is extremely difficult to find appropriate, affordable places for our clients in San Francisco or even in nearby towns!
Today we added a page to this website dedicated to the issue of housing. What are we looking for? What are the common challenges?
Please check out our housing page. Let us know if you can help. If you cannot provide housing yourself, please share the page with your friends by email, Facebook, Twitter… everywhere.
Monday’s mail brought our first refugee, “F”, his Green Card. We’re thrilled!
The refugees the Guardian Group helps are on the path to citizenship as soon as they get into the country. They are allowed to work as soon as they arrive, and they are allowed to apply for permanent resident status and get a Green Card one year after their arrival. They are also allowed to apply for citizenship five years after their arrival.
So, this week’s delivery of our 24-year-old Iranian’s Green Card was not a surprise. But, it was a relief and gratifying.
The man has had identity problems caused by “helpful” bureaucracy in Turkey, and the US in understandably cautious about anyone who comes from Iran. We didn’t know what could go wrong with our client, but the his application for a card was pending for almost a year. Several other of our refugee clients who arrived after “F” received their Green Cards months ago, very soon after they submitted their application.
But, now he has the Green Card in hand. And, we are delighted.
The young man seeking asylum from persecution in Russia received permission to work in the United States on Friday.
He is waiting for final granting of asylum, which would also allow him to work. But, it has been 180 days since he applied for asylum, and US law provides that people who have been waiting like him can receive permission to work. (See more information from NoLo Press.)
We will be going to the Social Security office with him on Monday to apply for a Social Security number.
Our 29-Year-Old Asylum Seeker (now an Asylee!) marched in the 2014 Pride Parade
Good news from the immigration court today!
The 29-year-old gay man who fled his home in Siberia because he was persecuted for his sexual orientation was told at 1 pm today that he has been granted asylum. He will be able to stay in the United States, work, and obtain a Green Card a year from today.
Congratulations to him!
Thank you to his pro bono attorneys, too!
We are very happy.