The Ark Immigration Clinic - Testimonials
“It’s with immense joy that I share with you that I have been approved for asylum with USCIS. This journey has taught me a lot. It has taught me how to be humble. It has taught me patience. It has taught me grace. I am extremely grateful to every individual from CBST. I’m truly grateful for their help and support in the entire process. I filed for asylum in 2020 and in 2024 I was granted. I’m overwhelmed with joy. Today I am free free free to express myself — free to live the life that makes me happy to be gay.”
– A from Jamaica
“I want to thank you for the help that you as an organization gave me. Your support has been an unforgettable experience. I want to tell you that every time I met with you it was a drop of hope and motivation that entered me, knowing that with my effort and my positivity everything would turn out well. From the bottom of my heart I appreciate all of the support that you give me. I did not have a representative in my case, but I was accompanied by some angels in the form of human beings. So I tell you that everything will be fine, you will receive your asylum, just be positive, have faith in God, have faith in yourselves and have faith in the help that the Ark Immigration Clinic is giving you. With much love, your friend Jeff.”
– J from Honduras
“I left Peru with fears but with conviction. My story is the story of thousands of trans women in the world. When I went to you I faced my sad memories, which I tried for many years not to remember, in order to continue living. Seeing your love and dedication to help others committed me even more to my dreams and missions. I have within me a deep sense of satisfaction, the merit is not mine, it is yours. Sometimes I have missed those Wednesdays where I found those wonderful human beings that you were, I give the first place in my heart to love that is shown in a thousand ways and you did it every Wednesday and how many more days and I without knowing it. I am committed to my pure essence, to give from now on my best years to this great country that has welcomed me. I also apologize for not being able to communicate in English, although we had an angel who translated everything for us. I am still studying English to be able to speak it fluently. My loyalty and gratitude to each one of you and do not lose heart in your desire to return smiles and peace to vulnerable human beings.”
A from Peru, our 17th immigrant friend to win her asylum case
It truly is a miracle for me to be here today. My name is Azeem Khan, and I am a proud alumnus of the Ark Immigration Clinic.
My journey to CBST began in the fall of 2019. At that point, I had been living in the United States undocumented for nearly 20 years. When I came to CBST, I met our Immigration Clinic Director Noah Habeeb and our Director of Social Justice Programming Rabbi James. Rabbi James invited me to a Friends Giving Thanksgiving celebration the following week. There I met Noemi Masliah. When I met with Noemi, she said the most hopeful thing I had ever heard. Noemi said to me, “I don’t know if we can help with your case, but I know next year, at this time, you will be in a better place.” And so said, so done. By November the following year, I had already applied for asylum with the help of CBST’s staff and volunteers. Together, we filed a case that was 18 years late, 38 years long, and weighed 12 pounds. We wrote it, we filed it, and we won.
I remain here now in victory and gratitude to the Ark at CBST, not just as an asylee, but as a full-time staff member of the Ark at CBST. Today, as the Immigration Clinic Navigator, I do everything I can to provide the same warm welcome that I first received at the Ark at CBST more than five years ago.
Ark Staffer Azeem sharing the Clinic’s 2024 New York Proclamation recognizing the Ark Immigration Clinic’s work to Guyanese activist Desiree, who visited the Clinic’s offices at CBST.
