05/24/2022
Lynn Murphy Mark
“The Wheels of Justice turn slowly…”
This bit of wisdom is attributed to a 3d century Greek smart guy. As far as I can tell, nothing has changed since the 3d century where immigration practices are concerned. Some of our current laws are probably that old and outdated. But I digress.
I have written before about some of my immigration clients – among the most patient people on the planet. When someone qualifies for an immigration benefit they are usually very happy to hear about it until I have to tell them how long the process might take. It’s like building a child up for Christmas and then telling them we’re just not sure when, or if, Santa Claus will arrive. It’s that kind of joy tempered by an unpredictable reality. The truth is that USCIS, or Immigration, is overburdened and underfunded and understaffed. I read once their estimate of how many cases cross their desks daily and how many phone calls they get. The number is simply staggering.
USCIS staff are regular people like the rest of us. So, they must have their share of people who have “retired” but are still working, maybe worn down by the sheer volume of needs that come their way. The people who work on cases involving human trafficking, domestic violence and abuse, may be experiencing “compassion fatigue” from reading so many horrible truths from the victims. The officers who work with asylum applicants sit face to face with people and hear the stories directly. That’s rough work, and not everyone is good at setting horror aside at the end of the day. That stuff wears on your soul.
It seems like I have spent all last year and now almost half of this one waiting to hear from USCIS about any of my clients. The most frustrating cases are people who are waiting for authorization to work. Many of my clients are women living in shelters, most with their children, hoping to get a work card so they can begin to support themselves and their families. Or if they already have a work card, they are now waiting more than a year for a renewal to be issued once the card expires. One thing I know for sure, immigrants want to work and be productive members of society.
But things do happen sometimes and this week already has been a bonus week for immigration approvals. A client got her work authorization card today. (But a client who applied two months before this client still has heard nothing about her card and when it will be issued.) Another client got his renewed Green Card. Two clients in Iraq have their “coming to America” interviews in June. Two clients have their citizenship oath ceremonies scheduled in June. These happenings make my heart sing.
Every work day, at its beginning, I check for mail from USCIS. Many days my little mail box slot is dark and empty. I heave a big sigh and sign in to my computer, disappointed. But, there are days when 4 or 5 envelopes are in there and I do a happy dance. I especially appreciate happy dance days…