Tag Archive: immigration

1. United Way of Bay Area Funds Free Tax Assistance for Canal Alliance Clients

   February 12, 2024 11:35 am Comments Off on United Way of Bay Area Funds Free Tax Assistance for Canal Alliance Clients

   

   From February 3 through April 13, 2024, up to 400 clients of Canal Alliance’s Immigration Legal Services, Social Services, Workforce Development, Adult Education, or Youth Education program can take advantage of free support to complete their tax forms.  

   Tax assistance is provided every Saturday from 10am to 4pm by trained volunteers who have completed their IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) certification. Volunteers are already hard at work helping Canal Alliance clients to complete their tax returns and to answer any questions about their tax status and eligibility for refunds from the IRS or the Franchise Tax Board.  

   The program is funded by a $30,000 grant from United Way of Bay Area, which oversees Free Tax Help, a coalition of local partners who provide free tax help to clients throughout the Bay Area. Free Tax Help is committed to serving program participants through five guiding values: Client and Volunteer Experience delivered with dignity and respect; Equity in prioritizing services for marginalized populations; Quality to ensure a high-quality tax return; Education to ensure that taxpayers fully understand their return; and Collaboration to ensure a well-integrated coalition.

   Thanks to this generous grant, Canal Alliance can now offer free tax assistance to the low-income Latino immigrants living in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood who rely on so many of our services and programs.

2. A journey to a brighter future 

   April 5, 2023 3:22 pm Comments Off on A journey to a brighter future 

   

   Blanca, a dedicated nursing student at Unitek College and a loving mother of a young child, shares her inspiring journey. Originally from Honduras, she sought opportunity in the United States, lamenting, “Back home, I didn’t have the option to study. I wanted to get ahead in life.” 

   Upon her arrival in Texas, Blanca reunited with her older brother. However, she soon faced a deportation order. In an effort to resolve her case, she moved to San Rafael and connected with Joana Castro Simonini, the managing attorney at Canal Alliance’s Immigration Legal Services department. At that time, Blanca was 17 years old and pregnant. 

   Blanca gratefully recalls, “Not only did Canal Alliance resolve my deportation case, but they also provided financial support and, more importantly, gave me hope. Because of Canal Alliance, I was able to go to school. It was a long process, but it was worth it. They helped me tremendously.” 

   Admitting her concerns, Blanca reflects, “I was worried. I thought, what if I don’t resolve my deportation case or obtain my residency? Thankfully, through Canal Alliance, I was able to make my dreams a reality. They supported me every step of the way.” 

   Following her high school graduation, Blanca enrolled in Contra Costa College to study as an Assistant Medical Nurse. Today, she proudly holds a work permit and has a pending residency application. She remarks, “Having a social security number opens up a lot of doors for you.” 

   As Blanca approaches the completion of her nursing degree, she looks back on her childhood dreams. “From a young age, we all had aspirations. Most kids want to be an astronaut or a fireman. I wanted to be a nurse. It was challenging because when I got pregnant, I wasn’t sure what the future held for me.” 

   However, she acknowledges the pivotal role of Canal Alliance in her life. “None of this would have been possible without Canal Alliance. The opportunities they create for people are unbelievable. Canal Alliance truly helps individuals fight for their dreams. I have a job I am proud of, and nothing brings me more joy than providing for my family.” 

   Presently, Blanca’s plans are straightforward. She aims to complete her nursing degree and ultimately pursue a career as a doctor. 

   Support more unaccompanied immigrant minors by making a donation today!

   

3. Kristy Ponce Aizpurua’s Naturalization Story 

   February 11, 2022 2:01 pm Comments Off on Kristy Ponce Aizpurua’s Naturalization Story 

   

   When Kristy Ponce left Panama, nearly a decade ago, she left behind her family and her law practice. Today she manages legal service operations at Canal Alliance and is a recent U.S. citizen. Kristy shares her naturalization journey and her message to new citizens – vote!  

   Could you share a little bit about you and when you came to the United States?  

   I came to the United States from Panama in 2013. My husband was offered a job, and even though it was a tough decision, we knew we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. We ended up settling in San Rafael. Overall, it was a very safe and straightforward trip for us as my husband obtained a work visa, and my legal permanent residence was fast-tracked as a result.  

   What was it like when you first arrived to the United States? 

   At first, I felt alone. My husband was traveling a lot because of work. I had no job and no friends. Even though my husband’s family was in San Rafael, I did not have my immediate family here with me.  

   In Panama, I was a lawyer with my own practice. I had a whole life that I left behind. I loved what I used to do. Since I was a little kid, I always wanted to become a lawyer. I always loved to debate, and from an early age my family and my parent’s friends would call me ‘la abogada.’   

   How did you first get involved with Canal Alliance?  

   I was looking to volunteer to get involved with the Latino community, which I belong to. Through San Rafael’s Public Defender, who was a friend of my sister-in-law, I heard about Canal Alliance. I started volunteering with the Immigration Legal Services (ILS) department in 2015. The year after, I started working full time as a paralegal, then later became Managing Paralegal, and now serve as Operations Manager for the ILS Department.  

   When I started working at Canal Alliance, everything changed: I had a job, I had friends and I had a new family. It changed my life at the time, and I love what I do again. 

   What made you decide to pursue naturalization?  

   Being a U.S. citizen comes with a lot of responsibility. My husband and I thought about it a lot. We love to travel and may not retire here, but we also want the possibility to come back to the U.S. We were residents for five years, met all the requirements and it was just time to make that jump! 

   How was the process?  

   My citizenship application was straightforward, and we had support from Grace, the Immigration Paralegal at Canal Alliance. She is brilliant. However, I’m hard of hearing so I was really worried about the interview. I studied really hard. Thankfully, the interviewee was super clear, nice and friendly.  

   At the ceremony, I was so happy and proud. I do not know how else to describe it, other than ‘emocionante’ (thrilling and emotional). And the best part, my husband and I were able to have our oath ceremony together. It was a long wait because of COVID, but a great result. 

   How has your life changed since becoming a citizen? 

   I now have peace of mind. I always followed the law, but as a foreigner, even with a green card, I was still deportable. It was always in the back of my mind. And now that feeling has gone away. I also was able to vote, which was one of the principal achievements I received through becoming a citizen. 

   Do you have any advice for individuals who are eligible to become a U.S. citizen? 

   Once you become a citizen, register to vote. That was the first thing I did after I got my citizenship certificate. I really wanted to vote in the California recall and I did! I was proud and excited to exercise my rights. I think whoever can become a citizen should do it and vote because that is the only way that your voice will be heard and things will change.

4. TPS Update: October 3, 2018

   October 3, 2018 4:37 pm Comments Off on TPS Update: October 3, 2018

   On Wednesday, October 3, 2018 a federal judge from the ninth circuit of appeals blocked the administrations attempts to terminate Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan.

   

   Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian program that provides work authorization and lawful immigration status for those from countries who have suffered a disaster and it is not safe for nationals of that country to return. In previous administrations, countries like El Salvador, who were generally unstable for nationals to return to, had been renewed. Over 300,000 people from these countries, many of whom have been living in the U.S. (and Marin County) for decades and have U.S. citizen children, would have lost their legal status within the next year – the earliest termination was set for November 2nd for Sudanese TPS holders.

   The Judge found the plaintiff had merit-based arguments that raised serious questions about:

   1. That Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may be in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act, as they changed how they made the decision of whether or not to renew TPS for certain countries without explaining their changed standards
   2. The serious question of whether it was from a discriminatory basis, namely to quote Judge Chen “Plaintiffs have also raised serious questions whether the actions taken by the Acting Secretary or Secretary was influenced by the White House and based on animus against non-white, non-European immigrants in violation of Equal Protection guaranteed by the Constitution.”

   This ruling is a preliminary injunction – the judge still needs to make his final ruling, and it is likely that this decision will go to the Supreme Court.

   What is important is that it grants these 300,000 TPS holders more time until the judge makes his final decision. He has ordered the government to maintain the status quo and calls on them to make an administrative plan within the next 15 days of how they will ensure no “implementation and/or enforcement of the decisions to terminate TPS for Sudan, Haiti, El Salvador, and Nicaragua” until the final decision is made (as quoted in the Judge’s text here).

   This is only a temporary reprieve – this does not force the government to formally renew these TPS programs.

   Crista Ramos, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit that precipitated this decision and 14-year-old U.S. citizen daughter of a TPS holder from El Salvador, said when the decision was announced: “I was so happy when I found out about the judge’s decision. Ever since the TPS terminations were announced, I have been wondering how I can live a normal life if I am about to lose my mom. Today, my family and I are celebrating. Tomorrow, we will continue our fight for permanent status for TPS holders.”

   Canal Alliance whole-heartedly shares Crista’s sentiment and call for a permanent protection for the many TPS holders who are part of our community and we will continue to fight. The TPS program has never had a path for permanent legal status and we encourage our Marin community as well as the larger community of immigrants and advocates to contact Congress with requests and comments regarding the need for permanent protection.

   For more information on this decision, see:

   Dara Lind’s excellent analysis on Vox

   The National TPS Alliance’s timeline of the case’s development

   Statement by the National TPS Alliance

   See the full text of the decision here

   Please note:Honduras and Nepal are not included in this lawsuit because these countries’ programs were terminated after the lawsuit was filed – we will keep you posted as updates emerge on this court case, for example if the decision is expanded to include these countries.
   

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