Justice for Our Neighbors and the Immigration Assistance Program are teaming up with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) of Michigan for a Naturalization clinic. The clinic will be held in Grand Rapids on Saturday, April 19, 2008. The clinic will allow applicants for naturalization to meet with volunteer Immigration Attorneys to fill out their N-400s. There is a suggested donation of $20, but it is not required. At the clinic the client's eligibility for naturalization will be evaluated by the attorney and if they are eligible, the full naturalization packet will be prepared that day and mailed by AILA via priority mail. A copy of the application will be given to the client.

JFON Holland will not have their regular clinic that day but volunteers are asked to go to Grand Rapids to assist with this Naturalization Clinic next to First United Methodist Church. If you can go, please contact Sally Garrett at 393-9641 or Mary De Ridder at church at 396-5205. P.S. If you want to know what Susan Reed, our JFON attorney, has been up to, you can go to her new blog at http://serccw.blogspot.com.

Client Success Story from Susan Reed, MI JFON Regional Attorney

An asylee came to JFON because he wanted to get work authorization. JFON informed him that because he had been granted asylum, he was entitled to work without an employment authorization document and could begin working immediately. He was thrilled because in spite of being highly educated and having a reasonable mastery of English, he had been struggling to support himself by doing small odd jobs and working in exchange for food or shelter, not knowing that he was fully entitled to be working at a “regular” job. JFON also helped him apply for his green card and he is now a lawful permanent resident.

A JFON Clinic here in Holland was held on Saturday, January 19th and the next one is Feb. 16th. This ministry could not happen without the help and dedication of our JFON volunteers.

National JFON—2007 in Review: As we begin a new year, it is part of our nature to look back and reflect on the accomplishments, challenges and triumphs of the past year. The national JFON network has much to be proud of.

We have served approximately 2,275 clients at over 200 clinics held in 19 cities (plus those held at resettlement centers in Dallas and Fort Worth) across the nation. But, more than these sheer numbers can express, we have helped to reunite families, enabled our clients to access social services, helped immigrant communities better understand their rights, responded quickly to emerging threats such as workplace raids, and advocated on the behalf of our immigrant neighbors before local, state, and national bodies as well as various Presidential hopefuls.

Holland success story: The spouse of a U.S. Citizen and mother of three U.S. Citizen children had applied two times for permanent residence but had been denied. Both times she was assisted by “notarios.” With JFON’s help, she submitted a new, properly prepared application and was approved.

Holland volunteer assistance outside of clinic: Holland volunteers held a very special dinner on a Friday evening, October 28th at First United Methodist Church to celebrate Susan Reed’s first anniversary as regional attorney (she didn’t put them up to it). Nearly 40 volunteers, and the clinic and regional coordinators attended. Susan shared highlights and challenges the Holland clinic and the region have experienced this year.

Grand Rapids success story: The daughter of a U.S. Citizen man submitted an application to be recognized as a U.S. Citizen. Several of her full siblings had applied a few years ago and all were approved and recognized as U.S. Citizens. They had the benefit of having their mother alive to testify about her memory of when their father lived in the U.S. Their mother had since passed away, and immigration denied the woman’s application, but JFON represented her in an appeal. She was approved.

Grand Rapids volunteer assistance outside of clinic: The regional board and Grand Rapids volunteers (with some great Holland folks in attendance to help out) planned a spectacular luncheon for local leaders to tell them about JFON West Michigan and invite them to support us financially. The mayor of Grand Rapids was on our “Blue Ribbon Committee” for the event and about 30 representatives of major law firms, banks, and other local institutions attended.

JFON Celebrates One Year Anniversary with Susan Reed On Friday, October 26, Justice for our Neighbors celebrated a special dinner in our lounge honoring Susan Reed, JFON immigration attorney. It was right about this time last year that she took over for Danny Upton, our former immigration attorney, who moved back to Alabama. Susan has had a busy year and still has dozens of open cases she works on. She recently did a forum on immigration for the League of Women Voters that was also televised locally. On October 11 she was featured on the local radio station (WHTC 1450 AM) on the topic of immigration. On Monday, October 22, Grand Rapids hosted the first fundraising luncheon for Justice for our Neighbors. Susan and Danny appeared together on a One Great Hour of Sharing video about JFON that was shown all over the country. It is an honor to have Susan doing this special ministry in our area as well as all the volunteers who help make this ministry happen. Our next clinic will be Saturday, November 17th.

Justice for our Neighbors Important Dates:

Fall Clinics: October 6th and November 17th

JFON Fall event: Friday, October 26th - 6:30 p.m.—JFON volunteer appreciation dinner and celebrating the one year anniversary of Susan Reed as our JFON attorney.