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In 2018, I was in and out of hospitals, homeless, and living in my car. When I could find work, I was a server – but between my poor health and not having employment authorization, finding stability felt impossible.

Eventually, through my medical case manager at the San Francisco Community Health Center, I was able to get connected to ALRP. Ana Montano, ALRP’s immigration lawyer, gained an understanding of my situation and quickly referred me to Oasis Legal Services, where ALRP Panel Attorney Rachel Kafele agreed to take my case pro bono.

Immigration attorneys Ana Montano (ALRP) and Rachel Kafele (Oasis)

Even though I had missed the one-year filing deadline to petition for asylum, Rachel proved that I had a strong case because of my need for high-quality HIV care and other medical services, the discrimination I had already faced in my home country of Brazil, and my fear of increased violence as President Bolsonaro came to power.

Thanks to ALRP and Oasis, on October 1, 2019, my asylum was approved! This meant that, for the first time in nearly a decade, I didn’t have to work under the table. My health improved, I found a full-time job giving back to the HIV community, and I found a stable apartment.

One year later, I reached out to ALRP again – this time to apply for legal permanent residence in the United States, on my way to becoming a citizen.

Again, ALRP connected me to one of their volunteer lawyers, Craig Ching. Over the months and years it took for USCIS to process my application, Craig followed up with me, the government, and ALRP’s staff, doing everything in his power to expedite the process.

Panel Attorney Craig Ching

Finally, on July 29, 2023 – nearly three years after applying – I received my green card.

I am so grateful for ALRP’s help throughout this process. I am now in a position to give back to my community – something I never would have thought possible at my lowest point five years ago.

And I know that when I’m ready to apply for citizenship, ALRP will be there for me again.