2022 Annual Report

Embellishmentsareadigitized versionofembroiderybyLegal AdministrativeAssistantNetra Rastogi.

Wearewoven together

ByTessaLemosDel Pino

TheCambridgeDictionarydefineswovenassomethingformed“fro differentthingsortocombineseveraldifferentthings,inac way.”Inthisreport,youwillreadhowTennesseeJusticeforOurNeighborshas grown,howindividualstaffmembershavedevelopedprofessionally,andhowour staffandvolunteersworkedinpartnershiptoprovidefreeorlowcostimmigration legalservicestoindividualsseekinghumanitarianrelief,educatedthecommunity aboutimmigrationmattersandadvocatedfortherightsanddignityofimmigrants. Thisrequiredamassiveeffortofpartnershipswiththelawschools,foundations, donors,othernot-for-profits,thelegalcommunity,andcommunitymembers steppingforwardwhenrecognizingthatitisonlyinworkingtogetherthatwecan evertrulymakeadifference. ThiswasmostevidentintheworkofourAfghan AsylumProject,butitwaswoventhroughalloftheareasofourwork.

Somedaysitfeelsliketherearetoomanymovingparts,whetheritisrespondingto aneedinthecommunitylikewhenwebeganhelpingAfghanevacueeswhowere resettledinthearea,orwhenwearerespondingtoanewimmigrationpolicyor courtrulingaffectingourclients.Butasourteamhasgrown,ourpartnershipshave expandedandstrengthened,wehavebeenabletodomorethaneverbefore.

WhileourAfghanAsylumProjectresponsetothehumanitariancrisisdrew significantattention,weweresteadfastinourworktoservechildrenwhohavebeen abused,abandonedorneglectedbyaparent,survivorsofdomesticviolence, traffickingorotherseriouscrimes,andpeoplewhowerebroughttotheUnited StatesaschildrenandaretemporarilyprotectedundertheDeferredActionfor ChildhoodArrivalsProgram. Thisworkdoesnotgarnerthesamesympathetic attentionbutitmeritsthesamecare.

Ourlegalteamexpandedwiththeassistanceofanhistoricsubcontractgrantfrom MetropolitanNashvilleDavidsonCountyGovernmentinJune2022.Thisincreased capacityhelpedusprovidelegalservicestomorepeoplethaneverbefore.Withthe additionof2staffattorneyswenowemploy20%ofthecharitableimmigrationlegal serviceattorneysinthestateandarethelargestimmigrationlegalserviceprovider inthearea.Thisgrantalsofundsthepositionforourpartiallyaccredited DepartmentofJusticeRepresentative.Laterinthisreport,youwilllearnmoreabout whatthatmeans.

Weareproudthatoureducationworkcontinuesforthreeprimaryaudiences: attorneyswhoareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutimmigrationlaw,community memberswhowanttolearnmoreaboutimmigration,andimmigrantswhowantto learnmoreabouttheirrights,responsibilities,andinformationtohelpthemtake careofthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Someofthisworkisdonethrough partnershipswiththelegalcommunitythroughcontinuinglegaleducation seminars.Someisdonethroughinvitationstoeventsandopportunitiestospeakto thecommunity.Wesometimesdothisworkinprivateeventsandothertimesin partnershipwithotherorganizationsservingtheimmigrantcommunity.Wealso remaindedicatedtoprovidingSpanishlanguageclassesinourFamiliesTogether courseandinourSpanishlanguagepodcast.

YouwillalsohearfromourEducationandAdvocacyCoordinator,HannahSmalley, whojoinedTennesseeJusticeforOurNeighborsinthesummerof2022.Inthe annualreport,Hannahdetailssomeofthestepswetooktoadvocatefor immigrantsin2022.Whileourabilitytohonorourmissiontoprovideimmigration legalservicesandworkwithintheexistinglawsisstrong,werecognizethatitwill takeadvocacytochangeouroutdatedandcomplicatedimmigrationsystem.We canonlydothisasacommunity.

WewerehonoredlastfallattheCenterforNonprofitManagementSaluteto ExcellenceAwardswithTheFristFoundationTeamBuildingAward.Wewerealso honoredalongsideProfessorKarlaMcKandersattheTennesseeAllianceforLegal ServicesAccesstoJusticeAwardswiththeB.RineyGreenAwardforour collaborativeworkontheAfghanAsylumProjecttomobilizethelegalcommunityat astate-widelevel.YouwillhearmoreabouttheAfghanAsylumProjectthroughout thereport.

Thisworkinvolvedaconsiderableamountofteamtime,anditcouldnothavebeen donewithoutprobonolawyers,volunteerinterpreters,communitymemberin-kind donations,ourpartnersandfunders.Oneexampleofthiscommunity-wide dedicationistheworkofBass,BerryandSims,LLC.Thevalueoftheexpenses incurredintherepresentationwas$6,238butthevalueofthehoursworkedforpro bonorepresentationforTNJFONwas$762,621.Ofthat$657,305wasdedicatedtothe TNJFONAfghanAsylumProjectalone.Theywereoneofthemanypartnerswho steppedforwardtojointhismassiveefforttoprovideimmigrationlegalservicesto ourAfghanallies.Asyouwilllearninthepieceonthisproject,legalservicesarethe mostsignificantwaytohelpournewneighborsachieveeconomicstability.

Whileyouwilllearnaboutthedatainthetypesofcasesandnumbersofnewclients fromourlegaldirectorreport,Ihopethatyouwillalsofeellikeyouknowourstaff better,whattheymightbeliketoworkwith,andhowmeaningfulthisworkis. Becausetheethicalrulesofourprofessionalpracticerequireconfidentiality,itisn’t alwayseasytodemonstratetheimpactofourwork.Weareoftenlimitedtosharing theoutcomeofourworkwithnumbers.Butourclientsarenotjustnumbers.They arehumanbeingswithhopesanddreams,familiesandresponsibilities,and connectionstoourcommunity.

Weareproudofallweaccomplishedin2022,thankfulforwhatthatmeansforour clientsandthankfulforyoursupport.Wehopethatyouareasinspiredasweare afterreadingthisannualreport.

Amessagefrom ourPresident

Whatyouwillreadinthisannualreportisa testamenttothecommitmentandpassionof thoseintheTennesseeJusticeforOurNeighbors (TNJFON)“abrazo”(hug).Ourstaff,BoardofDirectors, volunteersandcommunitypartnerscametogether toserveourcomunidadlikeneverbefore.

Ispenttheearlypartofmycareerasaclassroomteacher.Oft mystudentstheyfelttheyhadinsurmountablelearninggaps.Thereasonsforthose areforanotherpieceofwriting,butgrowthagainstalloddsi withthemandwhatIwillwithyou.

IjoinedTNJFONasaboardmemberin2020.ItwasthenthatImetthesmall,but mightystaffofthreefulltimeandoneparttime.Iwasmovedthatsuchasmall staffcouldmovesuchmountainsforindividualsseekinghumanitarianreliefinthe cityIcallhome.In2022,theTNJFONstaffhasgrowntotwelvewildlytalentedpeople. IfitwerenotfortheforwardthinkingofExecutiveDirector,TessaLemosDelPino,this wouldnothavebeenpossible.

Asaresultofthegrowthofourstaffthecapacityoftheorganizationhasgrown. UnderthewisdomandleadershipofourLegalDirector,BethanyJackson,we opened713newcases-morethanwedidinanyotheryearinthehistoryof TNJFON.

Lastly,ourfinancialsupportershavegrown.IntimeswheretheneedsofNashville feelinsurmountable,many(likelyincludingyou)decidedthatgivingyourmoneyto payforimmigrationlegalservicesfortheirneighborswasworthit.Weaskedalotof oursupportersin2022andwillneedtodosoin2023.Ihopeyou’llfindthisreport showsyouitisworthitagain.

Thosewhobelieveinourmissionaregrowing,buttheresultofallthateffortis undeniable.

OurBoard

President Vice President, Treasurer Secretary

Lefttoright,toptobottom:NicholeDavari,EmilyKonouchi,ClayPetrey,MaureenAguilar, MelanieArnold,THopeCollins,CaseyDeFord,NedGibson,JackieGutierrez-Jones,Jesse FordHarbison,William"Paz"J.HaynesIII,SarahHead,LizHernandez,JanieLynnLankford, GabeMarrero,DavidMartinez,JeremyQuiñonez,JeffSheehan,HannahWebber,Merrilee Wineninger

Amessagefrom ourLegalDirector

ByBethanyJackson

2022broughtnewneighbors,newpartnerships,andnewstaff.Wh AfghanevacueeswereresettledinNashville,wepartneredwith resettlementagencies,theVanderbiltLawSchoolImmigrationPracticeClinic,law studentsfromarealawschools,anddozensofvolunteerattorneystoevaluate immigrationoptionsandrepresentAfghansonasylumapplications.Wepartnered withvolunteerlawyersfromBass,Berry&SimsandCASA(CourtAppointedSpecial Advocates)volunteerstoensurethatvulnerablechildrenobtainedlawful immigrationstatus.OurWoodbineImmigrationClinic,astudent-ledcliniccreated in2019inpartnershipwithVanderbiltLawSchool'sOfficeofPublicInterest,continues tohelptrainthenextgenerationoflawyersinimmigrationlawandexpandthe availabilityoflegalrepresentation.

TobetterserveournewNashvilleneighborsaswellasourexistingcommunity,we grewourlegalstaffbyonefull-timeadministrativeassistant,aparalegal,andtwo staffattorneys.Inaddition,AllenKing,whojoinedusinOctober2021astheGeorge BarrettSocialJusticeFellow,transitionedtoastaffattorneyposition.Ourlong-time LegalAdvocatebecameanaccreditedDepartmentofJusticerepresentative, allowinghertorepresentclientsbeforetheUSCitizenshipandImmigrationServices underthesupervisionofanattorney.

Webegan2022with327activecasesand,overtheyeartookontherepresentation ofanadditional525clients–children,women,andmenfromAfghanistan,Chile, China,Colombia,Congo,CostaRica,Cuba,ElSalvador,Gambia,Ghana, Guatemala,Haiti,Honduras,IvoryCoast,HongKong,India,Jamaica,Japan, Kazakhstan,Kenya,Mexico,Nicaragua,Nigeria,Peru,Russia,SouthAfrica,Spain, Ukraine,andVenezuela–allseekingasecure,stablelifeintheUnitedStates.

In2022,ourclientsreceivedasylum,Uvisas,SpecialImmigrantJuvenilestatus,relief undertheViolenceAgainstWomenAct,DACAgrants,workpermits,permanent residence(greencard),andhadtheirremoval(deportationproceedings) dismissed.Forourclients,thesedecisionsfromUSCISmeanopportunity,stability, and,mostimportantly,peaceofmind.

2022broughtlong-awaitedvictoriesforclientslikeXimena,ayoungwomanwhowe haverepresentedsince2015.XimenawasinthecustodyoftheTNDepartmentof Children’sServicesafterhavingbeenneglectedandabusedbyherfather. RecognizingthatXimenaneededlawfulimmigrationstatus,Ximena’sCASA volunteercontactedusforhelp.Since2015,wehaveobtainedanorderfrom DavidsonCountyJuvenileCourtfindingthatXimenawasanabused,abandoned, andneglectedchild;filedapetitionforSpecialImmigrantJuvenilestatuswithUSCIS; waitedseveralyearsforavisatobeavailablesoXimenacouldapplyforpermanent residence;representedherbeforetheMemphisImmigrationCourtonarequestto vacateapreviouslyenteredremovalorder;andfiledanapplicationforpermanent residence.Sevenyearslater,Ximenahasagreencard!Overthatperiod,wehave seenXimenagrowfromanuncertainteenagerintoalovingmotheroftwoyoung children.Ximenaisastrongyoungwomanwhohasthrivedagainstallodds.

Whilewecelebratethevictoriesforourindividualclients,weknowthatitis impossibletosolvetheworldwidemigrationcrisisonacase-by-casebasis.In2022, thedisplacementofpeoplecontinuedforreasonsincludingwar;oppressivepolitical regimes;climatedisasterssuchasdrought,flooding,andhurricanes;famine;and direeconomicconditions.

Ourcountrycontinuestofailtomeetthemoment.PoliticiansinWashingtonhave increasinglyusedimmigrationasanissuetodrivevoterturnoutandasacudgelto bashpoliticalopponents.Indoingso,theyignoretheessentialhumanneedsof peoplewhoaredoingexactlywhatmanyofourancestorsdid-seekingasafer, moresecurelifeforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Thelabor,drive,andingenuityof immigrantsarecriticaltoourcountry’sstory.Immigrantsnotonlyprovidelabor,but theyalsobuildbusinesses,createjobs,paytaxes,makeourcompaniesmore productive,andproduceproductsandideasthatenrichourlivesandimproveour standardofliving.Weareacountryofampleresourceswithplentytoofferand plentytogainthroughthewelcomingofimmigrants.Wemustdemandthat politiciansacknowledgetherealityofthemigrationcrisisandformulateeffective, humanestrategiestoaddressit.

Intersectionality inadvocacy

ByHannahSmalley

IcarealotmoreaboutwhatisrightthanIdoaboutwhatist thetwoaren’tthesamewhenitcomestoourunjustimmigration immigrationjusticerequiresustokeepchangingwhatislegaluntilitmatcheswhat isright.Ourlegalworkhelpsourcommunitiessurviveinanun advocacyworkhasthepotentialtochangethesystemitself.As EducationCoordinator,I’vespentthelastsixmonthslistening,reading,andbuilding relationshipswithothersdoingthisworkatthelocal,state,andnationallevels. Creatingcompassionateimmigrationpolicyisanuphilljourney,butthisyearwe tookdailystepstowardsthevisionofjusticewesharewithourallies.

Thisfall,someofourstaffmetwithlegislativeaidestoSenatorsBillHagertyand MarshaBlackburnaspartofWelcomeWithDignity’svirtualfly-intosupportthe AfghanAdjustmentAct(AAA).TheAAAwouldprovideapathtopermanent residencyforthemorethan75,000Afghanevacueesadmittedunderhumanitarian paroleinthesummerof2021.TNFONLegalClerkHashmatullahAzizisharedhis personalexperiencesasbothanAfghanevacueeandaninterpreterworkingdaily withAfghanasylumseekersinNashville.AdvocacyandEducationCoordinator HannahSmalleyandinternMeganLombardidrewontheirknowledgeofHagerty’s andBlackburn’splatformstoframetheAAAintermstheSenatorscould understand,highlightingitspopularitywithveteransandpositiveimplicationsfor nationalsecurity.WhiletheAAAhasgottensignificanttractioninCongress,ithas notpassedasofJanuary2023.

In2022,TNJFONsignedsevenlettersandpetitionspushingforpolicychanges. Thoughdiverseinsubjectmatter,theirdemandshighlighttheintersectionalityof ourvisionandourwork.

TNJFON2022 ANNUALREPORT

ThreelettersaddressedtheU.S.government’sneglectofBlackmigrants,urgingthe BidenadministrationtodesignateTemporaryProtectedStatus(TPS)forEthiopia, redesignateTPSforSomalia,andestablishahumaneprocessfreefromoffshore detentionandprocessingforHaitianasylum-seekers.Thefirstcampaignswere successful,withTPSdesignatedforbothEthiopiaandSomaliainto2024.InJanuary 2023,theBidenadministrationannouncedanadvanceparoleprogramforHaitians, Venezuelans,Nicaraguans,andCubans,thatwouldallow30,000peoplepermonth toenterlegallywithfinancialsupportfromasponsor.Thoughopeningthedoorto some,paroleisnosubstitutefortherobust,compassionateasylumprocessthat Haitiansandotherimmigrantsdeserve.

Twolettersaddressedreproductivehealthcareforimmigrantsfollowingthe overturningofRoev.Wadethissummer,urgingDHStoprovidetimelyabortioncare todetainedimmigrantsandtodisregardabortion-relatedcriminalchargeswhen consideringeligibilityforimmigrationrelief.ThoughtheBidenadministration releasedguidelinesinNovemberinstructingofficialstotransferpregnantimmigrant youthstostateswithbroadaccesstoabortion,theoveralllandscaperemainsgrim forimmigrantsseekingreproductivecare.

OneletterurgedtheU.S.Congresstoallocatefundingforappointedcounselin immigrationproceedings.Whilefederallawprovidesfortherighttolegalcounselin immigrationproceedings,itdoesnotguaranteethatthegovernmentwillprovide oneforpeoplewhocannotaffordtopayprivatecounsel.Asaresult,46%ofallcases pendinginimmigrationcourtsareremovalproceedingswherethenon-citizenhas nolegalrepresentation.Whilesomestateshaveimplementedarighttocounsel programforimmigrationproceedings,nonationalprogramseemstobeonthe immediateagenda.

Onepetition,bytheOurState,OurLanguagesCoalition(OSOL)demandsincreased languageaccessontheTennesseedriver’slicensetest.Currently,thetestis availableinEnglish,Spanish,German,Japanese,andKorean,leavinganestimated 160,000Tennesseansunabletotakethetestinalanguagetheyspeak.Thiswinter, TNJFONjoinedOSOLasapartnerorganization,providingcommunicationsand volunteersupporttothecoreorganizations(ElmahabaCenter,NeverAgainTN, AsianPacificIslandersofMiddleTN,SomaliCommunityofMiddleTN,Ethiopian CommunityAssociationofNashville,andAmericanMuslimAdvisoryCouncil) representingimmigrantcommunitiesacrossthestate.

OurpartnershipwithOSOLispartofabroadershiftfrominformationsharingto actioninouradvocacywork.Inthepast,werespondedtoeachindividualeventina relativelyisolatedway,withoutclearlystatinghowtheyconnectedtoourbroader policystrategy.Wesharedwhatwashappening,butnotwhatourreadersand followerscoulddoaboutit.Inthelastsixmonths,thishasbeguntochangeaswe shiftthefocustowardswaysourcommunitymemberscanfightforchangeand investinourcommunityallies.

Forexample,ournewsletternowfeaturesa“Takeaction”section,encouragingour followerstonotjustlearnaboutimmigrationrights,buttoactivelyparticipateinour movement.Anypolicyupdateornewsstorywesharecomeswithacalltoaction andtheresourcestogetitdone–whetherthat’sascripttocallyourSenatororalink toapetition.Westillhavealongwaytogoinengagingourcommunity,butmetrics fromourQRcodegeneratorshowthattheseresourcesaresomeofourmostclickedlinks.Thesesimplestepsarebeginningtoshiftouradvocacyeffortsfroma relativelyinsularendeavortoacommunity-orientedmobilizationeffort.

Immigrationjusticeisinextricablylinkedwithreproductive,racial,linguistic,religious, andeconomicjustice.Untilweaddressthewayssystemsofoppressionoverlapand intertwinetodoublyharmwomen,queer,Black,indigenous,non-Englishspeaking, Muslim,poor,anddisabledimmigrants,wewillnevermakemeaningfulchange.Itis notenoughtoaskthoseinpowertopasspiecemealimprovements.Weneedtoact dailyinsolidaritywithdirectlyaffectedcommunitiesfightingtoredistributethat power.Thesearetheprinciples–intersectionality,action,andsolidarity–thatwill guideouradvocacyin2023.

Growthin outreachand education

ByHannahSmalley

In2022,oureducationoutreachreachednearly2,000people.Ourstaffspokeat conferences,appearedinthemedia,visitedlocalbusinesses,andhadtablesat culturalfestivals.

OurFamiliesTogetherprogramcontinuedtoevolve,movingfromsynchronous, onlineclassestoavirtuallearningplatform.Currently,wehave10videosavailable inSpanishaboutkeyaspectsoftheimmigrationlegalsystem.Enrollmentmore thantripledoverthelastsixmonthsaswespreadthewordatcommunityevents.

FamiliesTogetherisonthevergeofasignificantexpansioninbothcontentand languageoptionsthankstoourvolunteertranslators,graphicdesigners,narrators, andresearchers.OfthetenvideosavailableinSpanish,sixhaveEnglishversions readytopublishandfourhaveEnglishtranslationsinprogress.Sofar,our volunteerstranslatedfourscriptsintoMandarin,oneintoKorean,andthreeinto Arabic.Othervolunteershaveresearchedandwrittenscriptsonimmigrationlegal topicsnotcoveredinourcurrentcontent,suchasTPS,asylum,andpubliccharge rules.Stillothershavehelpedusexpandourcontentfocustoengagewiththe immigrationexperiencebeyondthelegalfield,writingabouttopicslikehealth insuranceformixedstatusfamilies,accessingfinancialinstitutions,andaccessing otherpublicbenefits.

Inshort,2022wasayearofhardworkbehindthescenesthatpositionedthe FamiliesTogetherprogramtogrowin2023.

TNJFONkeeps podcasting

ByAlvaroManrique Barrenechea

TheOyeVecinopodcastlaunchedin2020,anditishardtobelievethatweare abouttoenterourfourthseason.In2022,AinethMurguiajoinedmeasaco-host, whichwasaveryexcitingmove.Wesharedinsightfulinformationtotheimmigrant communityandhadwonderfulgueststotalkwithabouttheamazingthingsthey dofortheNashvillecommunity.

Wearebrainstormingthefourthseason,andwaystoimproveourpodcasting experience.Podcastingisnoteasy,andittakestimenotonlytoprepareour episodes,butalsotoeditthemafterrecording.Ofcourse,timeisascarceresource inouroffice.

Wearehopefulthatin2023,forourfourthseason,wewillbeabletouseour experienceandtrynewapproachestothepodcasttokeepitdynamic, entertaining,butalsoinformative.AsAinethentershersecondseasoninthe podcast,Ihopethatwecanfindwaystomakechangestoitsothatitalsofeels moreAineth-esque.

2 hosts 14 episodes

GLOBALAUDIENCE

TOP EPISODE

UNITEDSTATES,SPAIN,BELGIUM,BULGARIA, MEXICO,INDIA,ICELAND,ITALY,PERU,UKRAINE, GERMANY,BOLIVIA,CANADA,COLOMBIA, PANAMA

S2E7:OFICINADE

APRENDIZAJEDEINGLÉS

Welcomingour Afghanneighbors

ByNetraRastogi

OnAugust15,2021,theTalibanseizedcontrolofKabul,comple Afghanistan.Immediately,thenewswasfloodedwithstoriesaboutAfghanstrying tofleetheirhomesandfindsafetyincountrieslikeours.Dayslater,theUnitedStates startedevacuatingAfghansunderOperationAlliesRescue(OAR),andwesawour firstarrivalsreachrefugeecampsacrossthecountry.Bytheendof2021,theyhad reachedNashville.TherefugeeresettlementagenciesinNashvilleacceptedthese newarrivalsinordertohelpthemgetsettledintheirnewhome.Theyquickly realizedthatalong-termsolutionfortheseAfghanswouldinvolvelegalsupportfor immigrationstatus.WeatTennesseeJusticeforOurNeighbors(TNJFON)partnered withtheVanderbiltImmigrationPracticeClinic(VIPC)andtherefugeeresettlement agenciestoscreentherecentAfghanarrivalsforasylumeligibilityandpairthem withprobonolegalrepresentationonasylumapplications.

Throughthiswork,wedevelopedastrongerpartnershipwithlocalrefugee resettlementagencies,whichreferredrecentlyarrivedAfghanindividualsand familiestoTNJFONtobescheduledforascreeningappointmentandhopefully connectedwithprobonorepresentation.MembersoftheNashvillecommunity wereeagertohelpthenewlyarrivedAfghancommunity,includingmanyAfghans whohadlivedinNashvillesincebeforetheevacuationin2021.Theycameto TNJFONasvolunteerDariandPashtointerpreters.Asweincreasedthenumberof Afghansweweremeetingwitheachweek,webegantorelyheavilyonvirtualDari andPashtointerpreters.WelaterdevelopedapartnershipwiththeWelcomeSouth Coalition,whoselawyershavetakenonasylumcasesofAfghanevacueessettled intheNashvillearea.

TNJFON2022 ANNUALREPORT

TNJFON’sinvolvementintheevacuationofAfghanstoNashvillehasbeencriticalin helpingthemfindpermanentsafetyandachieveeconomicstability.TheAfghans wehavebeenmeetingwithwereallgrantedhumanitarianparolethroughOAR, givingthem2yearsofpermissiontoliveandworkintheUnitedStates,butno protectionafterthat.Inordertohaveamorelong-termsolution,theseevacuees needtoseekothermeansofstayingintheU.S.,suchasasylum.Theasylumprocess islongandcomplicated;theU.S.governmentcreatedanexpeditedprocessfor Afghanevacuees,butforotherapplicants,itcantakeyearsbeforeadecisionis made.Generally,asylumapplicationsneedtobesubmittedwithinoneyearofthe asylum-seekerbeingintheU.S.DuetoOARasylum-seekershavingatwoyear parole,however,theyhaveuntiltheirparoleexpirestoapplyforasylum.Intheir applications,asylum-seekershavetoprovidesufficientproofthattheyhave sufferedpersecutionorfearfuturepersecutionbasedontheirrace,religion, nationality,politicalopinion,ormembershipinapoliticalgroup.

Tohavethebestchanceatbeingapproved,asylum-seekersneedtoworkwith licensedpractitioners,whichcaninvolveseveralmeetingsinwhichtheclienthasto discusseverydetailoftheirlifeinAfghanistan,theirtravelstotheUnitedStates,and theirlifesincecominghere.Often,thesemeetingsinvolveevacueeshavingtorelive theirtraumas.Aftertheapplicationissubmitted,applicantswillbescheduledforan interviewwithanAsylumOfficerwheretheywillbeaskedquestionsabout everythingintheirapplication.

AccordingtoUSCIS,Afghanasylum-seekerswhowereparoledunderOARshould receiveadecisionontheirapplicationwithin150daysofitbeingreceivedbyUSCIS. However,thathasnotbeenthecaseforthemajorityofOARapplicantssofar.Asof January2023,USCIShasreceivedover13,000OARasylumapplicationsbutissueda decisioninabout1,800cases.Onceanasylumapplicationisapproved,theasylee canpetitiontobringtheirspouseorunmarriedchildrenunder21totheU.S.Afterone yearintheU.S.,theasyleeisabletoapplyforagreencard,whichwouldfinallygive themthepermanentabilitytoliveandworkintheU.S.

TohelpfacilitatetheprocessforAfghansresettledinNashville,TNJFONworkedwith VIPCtoconductintakeinterviewsandconsultationswith192individuals,mostof whomwereheadsofhousehold,fromFebruarytoJune2022.Nearlyeveryweekend duringthattime,wewereatCasaAzafran,coordinatingtheshufflebetweenclients, interpreters,lawyers,andvolunteers.VIPCstudentsworkedwithinterpretersto conductintakesonclients,thenreportedthefactstothelawyerswhowouldprovide aconsultation.Ifthelawyers’evaluationindicatedthataclientmaybeeligiblefor asylum,weworkedtopairthemwithprobonorepresentation.

TNJFON2022 ANNUALREPORT

Bymid-March,westartedseeing9individualseachweekand8ateachweekend clinic.Behindthescenes,Ispenthourseachweektryingtomakesurewehadthe correctnumberofinterpreterswhospoketheappropriatelanguages.Negar Ahmadi,ourformerDari-Englishbilinguallegalclerk,tooktheroleofcoordinating appointmenttimeswithreferrals.Theclinicphase,whichwrappeduparoundJune, pushedthelimitsofourteamasourlawyerstriedtoserveasmanyAfghan evacueesaspossiblewhilealsomaintainingourexistingclientbase.Workingwith ourAfghanclientsremindsusthatthedifficultiesweencounteredtryingto coordinatelegalrepresentationpaleincomparisontothestrugglesourclients facedtryingtoreachtheirnewhomeinNashville.

HashmatullahAzizi,orHashmat,isTNJFON’strilinguallegalclerk.Hemanages communicationswithallofourAfghanclientsaswellasotherAfghanevacuees whoneedhelp.Hashmathasadifferentimmigrationsituationthanotherevacuees anddidnotneedtoapplyforasylum,allowinghimtoconnectwithTNJFONasan employeeratherthanaclient.Hashmatunderstandsthatsharingacultural backgroundwiththisclientbaseisincrediblyimportant.HeisfamiliarwithAfghan customs,governmentandmilitarysystems,andculturalnorms.Thisbackground informationallowshimtomoreeffectivelycommunicateimportantfactstothe lawyers.Healsounderstandstheirfears,concerns,andexperiencesashesaw firsthandthechaosofthe2021evacuationsandhasabrothergoingthroughthe asylumprocess.Everyday,Hashmatlistenstotheirworries–firstabouttheone-year asylumfilingdeadline,andnowwiththeparolestatusexpiringthisyearformany evacuees–andshareswhathelearnswiththeteamsowecanhelpmeettheir needs.

Hashmathastheimportantjobofcommunicatingwithclientsaboutupdateson theircases–whentheyhavebeenpairedwithanattorney,whentheyneedtocome inforanappointment,whentheyhaveaninterviewscheduled,andultimatelywhen theirasylumhasbeenapproved.Hesharesequallyinthefeelingsofstressand happinessthatourclientsexperience.WithoutHashmat’shelp,TNJFONwouldnot havebeenabletoreachsomanymembersoftheAfghancommunityorrepresent somanyclientsinasylumcases.HehopesthattheAfghanswithoutlegal representationwillsoonbepairedwithprobonolawyers,andthatthosewith pendingapplicationstobeapprovedsotheycanfocusonadjustingtolifeinthe U.S.

Amainchallengeofthisprocesshasbeenthelanguagebarrier.Becausethe Afghancommunityisagroupourorganizationhadnotservedenmasseinthepast, wehadlimitedknowledgeofthecircumstancestheyfacedinAfghanistanand limitedresourcesfortheirlanguages.ToeffectivelyrepresentAfghanevacuees,we notonlyhadtolearnasmuchaspossibleaboutAfghanistanbutalsohadtofind interpretersandtranslatorstofacilitatecommunication.DariandPashtoarethe mainlanguagesspokenbyAfghans,butsomemaypreferadifferentlocal languageoraparticulardialect.ThenumberofDariandPashtospeakersalsofluent inEnglishinNashvillewaslow,andfurtherlimitedbytheneedtoprotectinterpreters fromsecondarytraumaandaUSCISrulepreventingindividualswithpending asylumclaimsfrominterpretingatasyluminterviews.However,wewereableto managecommunicationthroughexternalinterpreterservices,community members,andbyhiringNegarandHashmat.

Ourclientshavealsofacedmanychallengesthatwehavetriedtoovercome together.Formanyofthem,itishardtounderstandtheAmericanlegalsystemand immigrationsystem.ManyofthemwerehighlyeducatedinAfghanistanbuthaveto completelystartoverintheU.S.Theyhavetolearnanentirelynewsystemof transportation,healthcare,culturalnorms,etc.Theuncertaintyoftheirimmigration statusaddsanadditionalstressor.Manyofthemwerefirstconcernedabout connectingwithanaffordableattorneybeforethepassingoftheone-yearfiling deadline.Nowthatthatone-yearmarkhaspassedformostOARevacuees,some arestillwaitingforprobonohelp,whileothersareconcernedabouttheirparole expiringin2023.Oncetheparoleexpires,theirworkpermitanddriver’slicensewill alsoexpire,meaningtheywon’tbeabletolegallywork.Manyalsostillhavefamilyin AfghanistanwhotheywanttobringtotheU.S.,buttheevacuationshaveceased.

Throughitall,we’vestillmanagedtoaccomplishincrediblefeats.AsI’mwritingthis, wehavepaired273ofthenearly500referralswithsometypeofprobono representation–eitherWelcomeSouthattorneys,TNJFONattorneys,orotherpro bonoattorneys.Ofthatnumber,89arerepresentedbyTNJFON.Hashmatfeels proudwhenheseesmembersofhiscommunitybuildinganewlifeintheU.S.after havingtoleavetheirhomes,jobs,andfamily.Weallshareinfeelinggladthatwe candosomethingtoalleviatethestresstheevacueesarefacing.Inthenewyear, wehopeformoreasylumapprovalsandcontinuedsupportfromNashvilletomake ourcityawelcominghomefortheAfghancommunity.

DACA'suncertain future

ByAllenKing

andEmilyWebb

AcoalitionofconservativestatesischallengingthevalidityoftheDACAprogram. TheultimateaimofthesestatesistopermanentlyendtheDACAprogram.

OnJuly16,2021,afederaldistrictcourtinTexasruledthattheDACAprogram,as createdbytheObamaadministration,isillegal.OnOctober5,2022,theUnited StatesCourtofAppealsfortheFifthCircuitagreedwiththedistrictcourt.TheFifth CircuitorderedthedistrictcourttoconsiderasecondversionoftheDACAprogram, ascodifiedinthefederalregulationsbytheBidenadministration.Thedistrictcourt hasnotyetissueditsdecision.

Inthemeantime,USCitizenshipandImmigrationServicesmaycontinuetoapprove applicationstorenewDACAgrantsandapplicationsforDACA-basedadvance parolebutitmaynotgrantDACAtofirsttimeapplicants.

ItislikelythatthedistrictcourtwillissueitsdecisionontheBidenadministration’s DACAprograminmidtolate2023.Thedistrictcourt’sdecisioncouldendtheDACA programcompletely.TheBidenadministrationmayappealthedistrictcourt’s decisiontotheFifthCircuitagain,butitisunknownwhethertheFifthCircuitwill agreewiththedistrictcourt.

Allofthisuncertaintyhasanegativeimpactonourclientsastheyworryabout whethertheywillcontinuetobesafeintheonlycountrymanyofthemhaveever known.DACAenablesourclientstheauthorizationtowork,togetadriver’slicense, andtoparticipatefullyinsocietytwoyearsatatimefora$495fee.

Withoutworkauthorization,manyclientswilllosethejobstheycurrentlyholdandbe preventedfromapplyingforpositionsthatmanywenttoschoolandworkedhard fortoeventuallyattain.Totheconservativestateswhohavefoughtsohardtoend theDACAprogram,theexpectationisthatDACArecipientswillreturntotheir countriesofnationalityiftheprogramends,butforindividualswhohavegrownup intheUnitedStatesandwhoknowtheUnitedStatesastheironlyhome,thisisan unrealisticandunlikelyoutcome.Instead,manywillstayintheUnitedStatesandbe forcedtorelyonoddjobsinordertosurvive.

ItisnotuncommontohearfromDACAclientsthattheyhaven’tbeenpaidforwork they’vedonejustbecausetheemployerknowsthatimmigrantcommunitiesare oftentimeshesitanttogotothepolice,andthatproblembecomesexacerbated withindividualswhodon’thavestatusatall.EndingDACAwillonlyemboldenthose whopreyonimmigrants.Italsopotentiallycreatesbarrierstoobtainingfuture immigrationbenefitsasworkingwithoutemploymentauthorizationconstitutes accessinganimmigrationbenefitwithoutauthorization.

TheendofDACAwouldbeasdevastatingtothecountryasitwouldbetothe individualbeneficiariesoftheprogram.DACArecipientsaredoctors,nurses,lawyers, businessowners,andotherintegralmembersoftheircommunities.Theycontribute totheeconomyandtotherichdiversityoftheUnitedStates.

WorkingwithDACAclientsunderscorestheabsurdityofourimmigrationlaws.Allof ourclientsdeserverespectandtheopportunitytocreateabetterlifeforthemselves andtheirlovedonesintheUnitedStates.Itisparticularlyridiculoustoseehowour immigrationlawsapplytoindividualswhosoclearlyhavestrongertiestotheUnited Statesthananyothercountryintheworld.Ourcurrentimmigrationframework uprootspeoplewhowerebroughttotheUnitedStatesasyoungchildren,whohave neverreturnedtotheircountryofbirth,whodonotspeakthelanguageofthat country,andwhohavebuiltcountlesstiestotheirlocalcommunities.

Werecentlymetwithaclientwhohadjustfinishedcollegeandstartedanewjob. WhenwegaveherthenewsabouttheDACAlitigation,hereyesimmediatelyteared up.WewereabletoapplytorenewherDACAstatusfortwomoreyearsofwork authorizationandprotectionfromdeportation,butbeyondthat,nothingiscertain.It isincrediblydishearteningforsomeonewhoisdoingalloftherightthings-goingto school,workinghard,followingthelaws-onlytofindthateverythingthatyou’ve accomplishedmightbetakenaway.

WhatisaDOJ accredited representative?

ByAinethMurguia

Lastyear,TennesseeJusticeforOurNeighbors,appliedforrec DepartmentofJustice(DOJ)RecognitionandAccreditationprogr existstoincreasetheavailabilityofaffordablelegalrepresentationinimmigration casesinlow-incomeareas.Ingeneral,onlynon-profitorganizationscanapplyfor recognition.Arecognizedorganizationcanapplyforastaffmembertobecome DOJaccreditedrepresentatives.DOJaccreditedrepresentativescanrepresent clientsandprovideadvicelikeattorneysbutarelimitedtoimmigrationmatters. Theyarealsolimitedtoprovidingrepresentationwithintherecognizedorganization. Theirworkissupervisedbyanattorney.TheDOJapprovedTNJFON’sapplicationfor recognitionandmyapplicationforaccreditationinNovember.Thisrecognitiononly allowsmetorepresentimmigrationclientsatTNJFON.

AspartofmyapplicationforaccreditationIneededtodemonstratethatIhave sufficientknowledgeinimmigrationlawandprocedure.Todoso,Isubmitted evidenceofnumeroustrainingsIattendedovertheyears,lettersof recommendationsfrommypeersaswellasmyresume.Myaccreditationis renewedeverythreeyears.Duringtherenewalprocess,IwillhavetoshowthatIam competentinimmigrationlawbyprovidingevidencethatIhavecontinuedto attendrelevanttrainingstiedtoimmigrationlawandpolicies.AsaDOJaccredited representative,IcanrepresentclientsbeforetheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity (DHS)whichincludestheU.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices(USCIS).Ican alsoattendinterviewswithclientsatUSCISofficesandadviseclientson immigrationmatters.Icannotrepresentclientsinfamilyorcriminalmatters.

IdecidedtoapplyforDOJaccreditationtoincreaseourcapacitytoservemore clientsinourcommunity.ImmigrantslivinginTennesseehavelimitedoptionsin accessingaffordablelegalrepresentationinimmigrationmatters.Inthestateof Tennessee,thereareonlyfifteenDOJaccreditedrepresentativesandfive recognizedagencies.Tennesseeranksamongthestateswiththelowestcapacityto servetheimmigrantcommunity.Unfortunately,thislackofoptionsleaves immigrantsvulnerabletounscrupulousindividualswhoscamimmigrantsposingas attorneys.Asourcommunitywelcomesmoreimmigrants,theneedforthese serviceswillcontinuetogrow.Assomeonewhowasonceundocumented,I understandhowimportantitistohavecompetentlegalrepresentationwhen navigatingourflawedimmigrationsystem.InmyroleasaDOJaccredited representative,Ihopetocontinueservingourclientsandassistevenmorefamilies thanyearsprior.

Theroleofa paralegalat TNJFON

ByZoeyHamm

In2022IstartedvolunteeringwithTNJFONasafirst-yearlawstudent.Iparticipated inweekendclinicsconductingintakesforAfghanrefugeesandquicklyfellinlove withtheorganizationandthework.ThoughIhadexperienceworkingwiththe immigrantcommunity,IappreciatedTNJFON’smissiontomakemeaningful changesinthelivesofthoseseekingpermanentstatusintheUnitedStates.Inmy previousrolesinotherinstitutions,Isawfirst-handthestrugglesthatimmigrants faceinnotonlynavigatingacompleximmigrationsystem,butfindingaffordable, reliablelegalrepresentationtohelpthemdoso.Aftercompletingasummer internshipwithTNJFON,Iwasthrilledtojointheteamasaparalegal.Butwhat exactlyisaparalegal?Moreimportantly,howdoeshavingaparalegalonstaffhelp anorganizationlikeTNJFONexpandtheircapacity?

Aparalegalcanbethoughtofasalegalassistant.Itissomeonewhouses knowledgeoflegalconceptstoperformtasksbutdoesnothavethefullexpertiseof thelaworalicensetopracticelikeanattorneyorDOJAccreditedRepresentative.A paralegalcanalsobedistinguishedfromanadministrativeassistant.Theworkofa paralegalfocusesonmoredirectclientcontactandattorneycollaboration.Itmay includeconductingintakes,researching,assistingwiththepreparationof governmentformsandapplications,andprovidingsupporttotheattorney.A paralegalmaynotofferlegaladviceorrepresentclientsinanyway.

InanorganizationlikeTNJFON,havingaparalegalonstaffgreatlyincreasesthe capacitytoservemoreclients.Thenumberofpotentialclientsoftenexceedsthe capacityoravailabilityofthenumberofattorneysonstaff.Toalleviatetheworkload, aparalegalmayconductintakeswithpotentialclientsandprovideasynopsisto helpanattorneydeterminewhichcasestheyareabletotake.Inaddition,a paralegalmaytakeonmoretime-consumingtaskssuchasresearchor investigation.Inthisway,anattorneycanallocatetheirtimeandattentiontothe areasthatonlyalicensedattorneycanperform.

AsamemberoftheTNJFONteam,Ihavehadthedistincthonorofwitnessingthe impacttheorganization’sworkhasonthelivesofothers.Youcanhearaboutthe greatthingsanorganizationdoes,butitisanentirelydifferentexperiencetowitness itorbeabletocontributetoitinanyway.MostlegalpathstopermanentU.S.status orcitizenshiparelengthyintimespanfromstarttofinish.Whathasbeenmost memorableinmyshorttimewiththeorganizationisseeingsomeoftheAfghan clientswithwhomIhelpedconductintakesasavolunteer,nowbeinggranted asylumandhavingapathtoremainpermanentlyintheUnitedStates.Asa paralegal,Ihavebeenabletoconductresearchorcompletevarioustasksour attorneysusewhenassemblingandsubmittingasylumapplicationsand successfullyrepresentingtheseclients.

Distinguishingbetweenthedifferentrolesourstaffplays,thoughsometimes confusing,isanimportantsteptounderstandingourorganization.Asaclient, knowingtherolesofTNJFON’svariousteammembers,allowsyoutobetter understandhowwecanbestserveyou.TNJFONishappytoansweranyadditional questionsyoumayhaveaboutwhataparalegaldoesorthevariousotherrolesour staffmembersplay.

Ourteam

HashmatullahAzizi AlvaroManrique Barrenechea

BrittanyGiven

ZoeyHamm

JillHoyos

BethanyJackson

LegalClerk StaffAttorney StaffAttorney Paralegal LegalAdministrative Assistant LegalDirector

AllenShaoKing

TessaLemosDelPino

AinethMurguia

NetraRastogi

HannahSmalley

EmilyWebb

StaffAttorney ExecutiveDirector

DOJAccredited Representative

LegalAdministrative Assistant AdvocacyandEducation Coordinator StaffAttorney

NegarAhmadi LegalClerk

Ourinterns

MaxAdams

JohnCham

LilyChuck

AnnaCoplon

IngramScholar

SummerIntern

SpringIntern

LegalIntern

TNJFON2022 ANNUALREPORT

VanessaDemaral PatrickFlaherty

MeaganLombardi

LegalIntern

HODCapstoneIntern

AshleySettergren

SummerIntern

Awards

FristFoundationTeamBuildingAward from

theNashvilleCenterforNonprofitManagement

Thisawardrecognizesthe organizationsthatmostpowerfully demonstratehowtheyhave mobilized,trained,coordinatedand madethemosteffectiveuseof volunteers,staff,boardmembers,and othercommunityparticipantsin accomplishingtheirefforts.

B.RineyGreenAward fromtheTennesseeAllianceforLegalServices

AwardedtoTNJFONLegalDirector

BethanyJacksonandExecutive DirectorTessaLemosDelPino,along withKarlaMcKanders,Directorofthe VanderbiltImmigrationPracticeClinic fortheirstate-widecollaborativework toprovidelegalservicestoAfghan evacueesresettlinginthearea.

Thisawardisgivenannuallytoa projectthatreachesbeyondone organizationtostrengthenaccessto justiceacrossthestate.

Mediahighlights

NewsChannel5OpenLine

June

ExecutiveDirectorTessaLemosDel PinoandLegalDirectorBethany JacksonspokewithRhoriJohnstonon OpenLineaboutaMetrograntto fundimmigrationlegalservices.

TNJFONandtheTennessee ImmigrantandRefugeeRights Coalitionreceived$2millioninARP fundingfromMetro.

August

Asweapproachedtheoneyear anniversaryofwhentheTaliban tookoverAfghanistan,News ChannelFiveinterviewedstaff attorneyAlvaroManrique

BarrenecheaandKarlaMcKanders fromtheVanderbiltImmigration PracticeClinictolearnaboutour partnershiptoprovideimmigration legalservicestoAfghanevacuees resettlinginthearea.

Totalclientnumbers

1040opencases

Clientsfrom25countries

Afghanistan,Chile,China,Colombia,CostaRica,ElSalvador,Gambia,Ghana, Guatemala,Haiti,Honduras,HongKong,India,IvoryCoast,Jamaica,Kazakhstan, Kenya,Mexico,Nigeria,Peru,Russia,SouthAfrica,Spain,Ukraine,Venezuela

Income sources

Expenditures