Dear Community Members and Friends,
Last November, I joined the CAIR San Francisco Bay Area team on the day before the Presidential election. In my first week on the job, CAIR offices across the country heard from countless people who were being visited by the FBI or experiencing hate crimes, as well as many more who were afraid of post-election backlash. They were calling because they knew that for years we had provided free legal services to individuals facing civil rights violations, ranging from FBI visits to employment discrimination and bullying.
One year later, I am excited to share good news with you. Based on the community’s need and through your generous support, we are now expanding our legal services. Beginning today, we will offer low-cost or pro bono legal assistance for immigration matters. Our office will assist individuals with:
- Citizenship applications
- Adjustment of status
- Family petitions
- Asylum
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- T and U-visas
- Violence against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions
Unfortunately, the Muslim community has been affected by discriminatory immigration policies for many years. In the past, the community was targeted by the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERs) implemented post-9/11. And currently, Muslim immigrants are often impacted by the Controlled Application Review and Resolution Program (CARRP). Under the CARRP program, US Customs & Immigration Services often subjects Muslim immigrants to pretextual application denials and huge delays in processing their applications.
This year, we saw nationals of seven majority Muslim countries banned from entering the U.S. through an executive order signed by President Trump as he attempted to fulfill his campaign promise to ban all Muslims. In the 30 days following the first Muslim Ban Executive Order, our lawyers and staff assisted over 100 individuals who contacted us for guidance amid the chaos. We continue to receive calls from concerned travelers. Fortunately, the courts have continuously blocked full implementation of the ban.
We know now more than ever it is critical that the Muslim community have access to high quality culturally competent immigration representation. We are excited to officially launch this program and offer immigration services from our office for the first time after 23 years of standing up for the civil rights of the Muslim community.
To obtain more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at 408.986.9874 or via the web.
Finally, we hope that you can join us at our annual banquet Saturday, December 9 where we will share more about the work we have done this year. Your support over the years at events like the banquet has provided us the ability to offer these new services. Click here for more information and tickets.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Brittney Rezaei
Immigrants’ Rights Attorney