Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network

"The word 'alien' is culturally synonymous with a creature from another planet, and translates that way into many foreign languages. This highlights the effect of its use: to other, to separate, to distance 'us' from 'them,' to dehumanize." In a recent article, @centerforvictimsoftorture addresses how the word "alien" in U.S. laws and policies affect society's view of immigrants and mental health in immigrant communities. The Biden administration has made recent efforts to mo...ve away from using "illegal alien" including the removal of the word in the U.S. Citizenship Act. Yet, more needs to be done to get rid of the word altogether in the rest of our laws and policies. To read the rest of the article, visit https://cvt-communications.medium.com/removing-the-word-ali

Next Monday, join the GA-AL AILA Asylum & Pro Bono Committees for a free, virtual training called: Practical Training: Effectively using Experts in Immigration Proceedings. This two-part training includes a mock direct examination of an expert based on a hypothetical scenario, a panel discussion on practice pointers and best practices, as well as an opportunity for Q&A. The training takes place on Monday May 10th from 12 pm to 1:30 pm ET, and will count towards 1.5 hours i...n Georgia CLE credit. Panelists include: Emily Torstveit NgaraClinical Professor, GSU Immigration Clinic Amy Zeidan, M.D.Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory and Co-Founder, Georgia Human Rights Clinic Michael TurtonPartner at Kilpatrick Stockton and pro bono attorney in asylum cases Elizabeth KennedySocial scientist and country conditions expert on Northern Triangle countries To register for this free training, visit https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_Wh46-8BEQ82i_1oahEj3VQ

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that Department of Homeland Security failed to properly notify an immigrant regarding his obligation to appear for a hearing in removal proceedings. Instead of sending multiple documents spread out over days, months, or even years, enforcement agencies are required to send a single document called a notice to appear that includes the charges against an individual and where and when they must appear in court. This ruling affects thousands of immigrants facing deportation across the country. For years, many immigrants were denied relief due to the issuance of a notice to appear. This ruling opens up the possibility of relief for many immigrants in removal proceedings who were not served with proper notice prior. To read more, visit https://www.natlawreview.com//immigration-weekly-round-sup

"We continue to applaud the formerly detained women at Irwin who bravely spoke out about the abusive medical treatment they faced while in ICE custody and the tireless efforts of Georgia groups exposing the facility and demanding for it to be shut down. The Irwin Detention Center is emblematic of how the immigration detention system as a whole is inherently abusive, unjust and fatally flawed beyond repair." Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director at Detention Watch Network As... of yesterday, there are no immigrant women currently detained at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia. This good news is a testament of the ongoing work of advocacy groups like Project South, Georgia Detention Watch, GLAHR, South Georgia Immigrant Support Network, and Detention Watch Network. Yet, there is still more work to do because detention centers still exist. To read the full press release and action items, visit https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org//after-years-advocac

At GAIN, we understand the power of storytelling through documentary films, especially through our partnership with Working Films. Tomorrow, is a special premiere of A FIRE WITHIN, a documentary that follows three women who survived and fled persecution in Ethiopia, and then sought refuge in the United States and Canada. #AFireWithin #ATLFF21

In less than a few hours, GAIN Advisory Board Member Linda Parrish is hosting a Spring Sip and Shop at J.McLaughlin in Alpharetta! And 15% of sales will benefit GAIN. Here's how you can participate: - You can shop in-person... - You shop by phone and call their store number (678) 248-5559 - You can email your order to [email protected] Enjoy curbside pickup, local delivery, complimentary gift wrap and shipping today.

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." Bishop Desmond Tutu Donations sustain the free immigration legal services we provide our clients, who are immigrant victims and survivors of crime and persecution. Consider making a gift to GAIN today, or make a lasting impact with a monthly gift by visiting: https://connect.clickandpledge.com//b6f28bfd-2c44-4f5c-902

Immigrants face many barriers to quality health care and are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. A recent study finds that mobile applications aided by artificial intelligence (AI) may help immigrants better address their physical and mental health. The study also acknowledges that not everyone has access to phones or uses mobile health apps. Although AI health technology is one way to address access to healthcare, there are several other steps that the U.S. can take to... improve this access during the pandemic, including: -Expand Medicaid across the country to cover more low-income adults -Include immigrants who have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and their families in economic relief packages To learn more about this study, read Verywell's recent article. https://www.verywellhealth.com/study-mobile-apps-migrant-he

Did you know that 77% of people with immigration cases in 2019 had no legal representation? This is one of the reasons why Vera Institute of Justice calls for a federal defender service for immigrants in their latest policy brief. To read more about their commendation, visit: https://www.vera.org//immigrants-facing-deportation-do-not

No one should have to feel afraid or worse, intimidated to seek medical help after a major life-threatening incident. GAIN is proud to stand with our community partners seeking accountability and assistance for those affected by the deadly nitrogen leak at a poultry processing plant in Gainesville. As an organization, we stand ready to provide critical immigration legal services to those who qualify for our help. We recognize that we all have a responsibility to ensure better working conditions for workers across our state, including immigrants and BIPOC women who are often forced to endure inhumane and unsafe conditions. We want to highlight an open letter signed last week by our friends in the Georgia Immigrant Rights Alliance, which can be found at this link: http://ow.ly/T2cZ50DuRHm

This #FollowFriday, we want to highlight our partner and friends at youthSpark. youthSpark’s mission is to advocate for children who need legal and adult protection in abusive and exploitative situations. In honor of #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth, they are hosting a conversation on how COVID-19 has affected underserved youth and communities. The conversation will take place next Friday, January 22nd from 12 pm to 1 pm. To register for this free event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speaker-series-covid-19-and-it

TOMORROW, our friends at Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies are kicking off their Virtual Week of Action with a New Americans Celebration Press Conference and Panel Discussion! To RSVP for this free event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-americans-celebration-virt

Last month, the Director of Victim Services at the Human Trafficking Institute wrote an article for Darling Magazine, debunking several myths about human trafficking, such as: - Myth: Victims aren’t really trafficked unless they are in physical bondage or severely beaten. - Myth: Most human trafficking is sex trafficking. - Myth: Trafficking only affects women and girls.... But, here are the facts: * Fact: Trafficking can happen anywhere there is a demand for cheap labor and a supply of vulnerable, marginalized potential victims. * Fact: There are more instances of labor trafficking than sex trafficking, but the public is more aware of sex trafficking. * Fact: Men and boys, LGBTQ+ youth and people of all ages can also be exploited for labor or sex. To learn some more facts about human trafficking, visit the link below for the full article: https://darlingmagazine.org/common-human-trafficking-misco/ #humantraffickingawareness #humantraffickingpreventionmonth

What role does food and food insecurity play in people’s decisions to migrate? And why should we pay more attention to it? In the latest episode of Migration Policy Institute Podcasts, Megan Carney, an anthropologist and director of the University of Arizona’s Center for Regional Food Studies, examines the role of food (in)security in connection to climate change and migration. She explains that environmental displacement can sometimes mean that people lack reliable acces...s to food, which affects their decision to migrate. To listen to the full episode, visit the link below: https://migrationpolicy.podbean.com/e/changing-climate-cha/

We are finalists for January’s Ministry of the Month! Each month Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia opens a vote to allow a ministry, or nonprofit to win a financial gift. Vote for us by January 31st and help us win $500 for #ECFmotm. Anyone is welcome to apply, just visit https://episcopalcommunityfoundation.org//vote-for-minist/ #helphumantraffickingvictims #compassionatejustice CC: All Saints' Episcopal Church, Atlanta... #compassionatejustice

Just Security gives a brief overview of a recent report on designing a trauma-informed U.S. asylum system by Center for Victims of Torture. The report urges the Biden administration to prioritize the following five actions: - Provide initial and ongoing training to all government personnel who regularly engage with asylum seekers on: recognizing signs of trauma exposure; understanding common behaviors of people exposed to trauma; and sensitive or trauma-informed principles fo...r interacting. - Provide secondary trauma and resilience training and support to all government personnel who routinely engage with asylum seekers. - Provide trauma survivors with government-funded rehabilitation services - Phase out immigration detention. - To the maximum extent possible, eliminate features of the asylum system that are unnecessarily adversarial or otherwise exacerbate or cause trauma. To read the full article, visit: https://www.justsecurity.org//bidens-asylum-eos-and-where/

"President-elect Joe Biden faces a series of decisions on how best to change immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration. Biden’s actions will affect millions of lives." This recent Forbes article briefly outlines several immigration issues the next US administration will have to face once in office. The issues include: creating a more viable solution for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, dealing with the various asylum rules and regulations from the past four years, and the public charge rule to name a few.

Since 2005, GAIN has worked with many immigrant LGBTQ+ clients who have fled persecution or abuse due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, working alongside them as they seek safety and security here in the U.S. "According to a report by the Center for American Progress, LGTBQ asylum seekers in general are 97 times more likely to experience sexual assault than typical detainees." It is a disturbing truth that LGBTQ asylum-seekers particularly transgender asy...lum-seekers are more at-risk to experience abuse as they navigate the U.S. immigration system. To learn more, read this recent article by OpenGlobalRights below: https://www.openglobalrights.org/no-transit-the-criminal-t/

Thank you Alia El-Sawi Grote for talking about human trafficking awareness and your work with Homeland Security Investigations. We are truly honored that you highlighted GAIN as a local resource. Our Victims of Violence program serves immigrant victims and survivors of crime, including labor and sex trafficking. Once again, thank you! #humantraffickingawarenessmonth #humantraffickingpreventionmonth #bluecampaign

#ThrowbackThursday Last year on this day we shared this post, and its still relevant today, especially during the ongoing pandemic. Immigrant communities are often vulnerable to traffickers, who use force, fraud, or coercion to control their victims. Did you know there were 417 human trafficking cases reported in Georgia to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2019? In our Victims of Violence program, we serve a number of GAIN clients who are immigrant survivors and victims of human trafficking. Our clients' resilience continue to inspire our team and it means so much to be a part of their journeys in rebuilding their lives. #humantraffickingawareness #humantraffickingpreventionmonth

Today is #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay. Did you know that human trafficking is a $150 billion industry that targets some of the most vulnerable people, including immigrants, refugees, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people? In this brief article, Polaris explains who are vulnerable to trafficking and shares some ways traffickers recruit their victims. To learn more about the signs of human trafficking, visit the link below: https://polarisproject.org/recognizing-human-trafficking-v/

At GAIN, we have worked with thousands of immigrant victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes. We have seen time and again how our clients’ very real fear of coming forward can keep them in abusive situations. We are grateful on behalf of the residents of Charleston County, SC, many of whom will experience less fear and more willingness to come forward as victims of crime, thanks to Sheriff Kristin Graziano's rescinding of the 287(g) program. To read more about this, checkout this article: https://www.postandcourier.com//article_cdf4e9ec-4f89-11eb

We at GAIN are saddened by the passing of the Honorable Wayne K. Houser, Jr. of the Atlanta Immigration Court. Judge Houser was a kind, compassionate man, and for years, he supported GAIN's efforts to recruit and train volunteer attorneys from the Atlanta legal community. While we did not always agree, we found common ground on fairness and public service, and we will forever be grateful for the grace and dignity he brought to the Atlanta Immigration Court.

"What is certain is that situations forcing people to flee their homes will not stop, and those people will need a safe place to go." The fourth installment of "Returned" a @The San Diego Union-Tribune series on the history and scope of seeking asylum in the US asks how can we reimagine a broken asylum system? The article offers several recommendations including: a) Moving immigration court to the judicial branch b) Diversifying and training immigration judges... c) Reducing the court backlog d) Providing legal aid to asylum seekers e) Ending the detention of asylum seekers Fun fact: the article also includes a podcast episode called "Returned IV: How can the U.S. asylum be reimagined?" featuring the staff writers of the series.

2020 is finally over and it is officially a brand new year! This year, GAIN turns 16 years old, and we’re looking forward to the year ahead. We would be remiss if we didn’t say thank you. So, thank you to all our friends, donors, partners and supporters for helping us provide free immigration legal services and much needed COVID-19 relief to our clients in a difficult, unpredictable year. We truly value each and every one you and we wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Last week, GAIN led a legal training with The Coca Cola Company and McDermott, Will, & Emery a new law firm in the Atlanta area. Our very own staff attorneys, Karla Diaz and Serene Hawasli-Kashlan, discussed some of the barriers our clients face and how GAIN serves them. Our legal team offers training to share our knowledge about immigration matters that impact our clients, who are asylum-seekers and immigrant survivors and victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. We hope to inspire local law firms to incorporate pro bono services as part of their practice, and help our resilient clients.

Did you know that about 10% of all donations take place during the last three days of the year? It is never too late to give to GAIN. Help us further our mission of providing free immigration legal services to immigrant victims and survivors of crime and persecution. To make a year-end gift to GAIN today, visit https://connect.clickandpledge.com//b6f28bfd-2c44-4f5c-902

Today, Behind the Glass at Emory is launching a human trafficking and immigration awareness campaign called "Behind Closed Doors: Protect Trafficked Migrants." This campaign will also raise money to help GAIN’s efforts with immigrant survivors and victims of human trafficking. The campaign will culminate on November 14th with a virtual screening of "AbUSed: The Postville Raid," which addresses the intersections of immigration and human trafficking. To RSVP for the event, visit https://forms.gle/FGihxNS1xmHZiP5C7.

As this week comes to an end, we want to share a wonderful Friday surprise: we just launched a t-shirt campaign for GAIN. There are two designs that both share our vision of safety, freedom, and opportunity for all and immigrant communities are welcome in Georgia. We’ve been working behind the scenes for the past few months to share these t-shirts with you, our friends and supporters. And we hope you enjoy them as much as we did dreaming them up! To check out our new t-shirts, visit https://www.bonfire.com//georgia-asylum-and-immigration-n/. *Fun fact: about $10 of each t-shirt will go to GAIN.

In a recent article, Nina Rabin, Director of Immigrant Family Legal Clinic at UCLA School of Law, shares three stories about the challenges several immigrant families are facing as 2020 comes to a close. The stories touch on the experiences of asylum-seekers trapped in Tijuana, Mexico, and how the rescheduling and postponement of immigration hearings disrupt the daily lives of client families. In addition, children who are in unstable housing and lack access to technology for online learning are severely impacted. These stories are so similar to the realities many GAIN clients continue to face. Like Rabin, a number of our clients "have been upbeat, determined, and often grateful for the many forms of assistance they have received. Their resilience is inspiring."

GAIN, in partnership with the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's Statewide #HumanTrafficking Task Force, is proud to share the groundbreaking 2020 Labor Trafficking Roundtable report! Through collaboration, Work Group 6 came up with specific recommendations and action steps to guide our state in its effort to combat labor trafficking and support survivors. #EndHTGA To read the full report, visit https://cjcc.georgia.gov//labor-trafficking-round/download

Poet John Andrew Holmes said it best, "There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up." This holiday season, consider uplifting immigrant victims of crime & persecution by making a gift to GAIN today. To donate, visit https://connect.clickandpledge.com//b6f28bfd-2c44-4f5c-902

Happy Holidays from All of us at GAIN - https://mailchi.mp/2638d730331d/a-simple-thank-you-7208969

Making change for our clients a message from GAIN's Executive Director, Monica Khant - https://mailchi.mp//from-a-dark-time-emerging-with-hope-52

Last week, Georgia State University College of Law hosted its annual Law Review Symposium on Prioritizing Prevention in Human Trafficking: Research, Innovation and Advocacy. The virtual symposium brought together many leading authorities on human trafficking from across the country. A few friends and supporters of GAIN participated in the event and we are proud to highlight them: -The opening keynote speaker was Susan Coppedge, former Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and C...ombat Trafficking in Persons and GAIN Advisory Board. -One of the moderators was Cheryl Naja, Co-Chair of our Advisory Board and Director of Pro Bono and Community Service at Alston & Bird. She moderated a panel on advocacy and the importance of survivors’ perspectives. -Another moderator was Jonathan Todres, Georgia State Law Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Law and former Board Member. He moderated the second and third panels and gave the symposium’s closing remarks. Susan, Cheryl, and Jonathan: Thank you so much for centering victims and survivors of human trafficking at last week's symposium and beyond.

This recent article from The Wall Street Journal gives an overview of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, answering questions about the origins of the program during the Obama administration, who is eligible, and where the legal battle currently stands. To read the full article, visit https://www.wsj.com//answers-to-questions-about-the-legal-... https://www.wsj.com//answers-to-questions-about-the-legal-

Today is the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the first federal law to address the transnational crime of human trafficking, child sexual exploitation and forced labor. This law was created to help victims of human trafficking seek justice for the disrupting, trauma caused by traffickers. Today, let’s continue standing against human trafficking by fighting against harm done to those who are exploited for profit or gain. Everyone deserves safety, freedom, and opportunity.

Happy to partner together for this important cause!

Today, our GAIN staff celebrated our holiday party by video conference, but it was bittersweet because it was the last meeting for us to all sit together with our Executive Director, Monica Modi Khant. Monica has shaped and built GAIN for 15 years and had an immeasurable impact on all of the staff members at GAIN. To Monica, thank you for believing in us, and for helping us all be the best advocates we can be in service to GAIN clients. With love from the GAIN staff!

In honor of #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth, a billboard went live yesterday near Interstate 20 (I-20). We share this billboard with our friends and partners at Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Tapestri, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Raksha, Inc, Georgia Legal Services Program, Inc., and Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. We are so proud of the billboard and the amazing work our partners do in the field to help victims and survivors of domestic violence. We hope that those who need the crisis line number receive it this week. Because together, we can end domestic violence. #DVAM2020

This week is National Pro Bono Week and we are so grateful for our volunteer attorneys at GAIN. Thank you for your commitment to pro bono and our clients. As the American Bar Association notes, "Pro bono work is a professional responsibility and an individual ethical commitment of each lawyer." #ProBonoWeek

Monica Khant is stepping down from GAIN after 15 years at the helm. Our staff wanted to take a moment during our holiday party to surprise her and tell her how she makes us feel. Thank you Monica, for your kindness and your legacy at GAIN!

GAIN clients are immigrant survivors of crime and persecution and they still need access to immigration legal services, and relief during the ongoing pandemic. They look to us as they have been since 2005. The support we receive from friends, partners, and donors sustain the free immigration legal services we provide our clients. Please consider making an end of year donation or monthly gift to help us close out 2020 strong. To make a gift today, visit https://connect.clickandpledge.com//b6f28bfd-2c44-4f5c-902

Today is #PurpleThursday and we're rewinding to last fall when the GAIN team was in the office. We wore purple (in some way) in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Our vision of safety, freedom, and opportunity for all still rings true for us not just in October, but all year round. We continue to champion our clients who are immigrant victims and survivors of domestic violence. #ThrowbackThursday #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth #DVAM

On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to rule on the "Remain in Mexico" policy that requires asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while their applications are pending. "The decision to hear this case is a victory for the Department of Homeland Security because the policy has twice been declared illegal by lower federal courts." Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Supreme Court will likely hear the case early next year and decide the policy's fate by June.

Our mission at GAIN is to provide free immigration legal services to victims of crime and persecution. Through our legal programming, we serve clients who are asylum-seekers and immigrant victims and survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and other crimes. To learn more about what we do and how to get involved, visit our website: https://georgiaasylum.org

At GAIN, our vision is safety, freedom, and opportunity for all. One of the brightest spots for our staff is when we hear from a client who tells us that they or their child is working towards a college education now that they have the stability that immigration status provides. As this article shows, they are part of a growing wave of higher education for children of immigrants, and we know that higher education will be better and stronger with their voices represented.

#ThrowbackThursday: Last year at this time, we remembered the victims and honored the survivors of domestic violence at the eighth annual Standing Strong Together Candlelight Vigil. We gathered with our partners at Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Raksha, Inc, Ahimsa House, International Women's House, Tapestri and Securus House. Though we can’t meet in-person this year, we can gather virtually. Tonight, our friends at Women's Res...ource Center to End Domestic Violence is hosting a virtual candlelight vigil tonight at 7:30 pm on Facebook Live. #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth #DVAM2020 Photo courtesy of Rayna Wooden Photography.

Our Holiday Gift Card Drive ends tomorrow! Help make an impact for our resilient clients during the holidays and donate a gift card from Kroger, Walmart, or Target. We are accepting gift cards in increments of $25. To learn how to donate, please visit https://georgiaasylum.org/2020//24/holiday-gift-card-drive/

Save the Date! Our 2021 Virtual Gala is April 1, 2021. Visit https://bidpal.net/gaingala for more details today!

This Thursday at 4:30 p.m., our very own Monica Modi Khant will be a special guest of Drinks and Debate, which is hosted by Legals - Legal Entrepreneurs. Follow their page to check out this upcoming conversation on Facebook Live! #ImmigrationLawyer #LeGALS #GAIN #Asylum #ProBono #ImmigrationAttorney

Did you know that Dr. Hansa Mehta is credited with changing an important phrase in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? The original phrase of the first article of the declaration was "All men are born free and equal." She changed the phrase to "All human beings are born free and equal," helping make the declaration of human rights truly universal. Dr. Mehta's legacy of being "a staunch fighter for women's rights in India and abroad" is duly noted by the United Nations. #internationalhumanrights

The holidays can be a difficult time for our clients, especially with the uncertainty of the ongoing pandemic. This year, we are collecting gift cards from Walmart, Kroger, and Target in increments of $25 to support our clients and their families during the holiday season. Help us make an impact for our resilient clients this season and donate a gift card for the holidays. We are accepting gift cards through December 18th, which is almost a week away! For more information on how to donate, please visit https://georgiaasylum.org/.../11/24/holiday-gift-card-drive/

A recent federal court ruling pushes to reinstate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a deferred action program undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. But there are still questions about what's next for those who are eligible for the program. Since 2017, there has been a years-long legal battle about the fate of the DACA program. Sarah Pierce, an analyst with the Migration Policy Institute, states DACA has been hanging on a string for years now, while young undocumented people continue to weather various degrees of uncertainty.

A pop-up sidewalk school in Matormoros, Mexico made the news last week. The school teaches reading, writing, math and art to Central American children living in a camp of asylum seekers on the border due to the "Remain in Mexico" policy. Like many schools, the sidewalk school switched to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the school blossomed, "hiring 20 teachers all asylum seekers themselves to give classes via Zoom to Central American children in not only the camp, but at various shelters and apartments in other parts of Mexico." Stories like these warm our hearts at GAIN because it personifies our core values of courage, compassion, and community, and is an example of the kind of resiliency we see in our clients.

"And even if you’re a U.S. citizen who’s never met or worked alongside an undocumented immigrant, the fate of the democracy you cherish is tied to theirs." We've already shared several articles on social media showing how immigrants sustain our country in healthcare, domestic work, agriculture, and more during the global pandemic. In this op-ed piece, Héctor Tobar shares stories from his family and family friends who are part of the 11 undocumented immigrants in this country. He also asks the timely question, "What does the future look like for undocumented immigrants?"

Annually, GAIN hosts a toy drive for our Client Appreciation Event in December. In previous years, we offered our clients a shopping-like experience so that their children can pick out gifts for themselves and each other. Although we can't have an in-person event this year, we still wanted to do something to address the needs of our clients during the pandemic this holiday season. Help make an impact for our resilient clients during the holidays and donate a gift card from Kroger, Walmart, or Target. We are accepting gift cards in increments of $25 through December 18th, which is in two weeks. For more information on how to donate, please visit https://georgiaasylum.org/2020//24/holiday-gift-card-drive/

Yesterday, #GivingTuesday was a success because of friends and donors like you! We surpassed our fundraising goal and we are grateful. Thank You for Supporting GAIN- https://mailchi.mp//announcing-the-honorees-for-go-formal-

Daylight hours may be ending soon, but there is still time to help GAIN reach our goal of $10,000 tonight! Please visit www.gagives.org/gaingives to make a donation in any amount. Hear from Alpa Amin, our next Executive Director in 2021, on why giving to GAIN is so important this #GivingTuesday. This year has been challenging to say the least, and no one knows it like our clients. During the pandemic, they have struggled with their jobs and their loved ones. They’ve faced insurmountable challenges and somehow have found the strength and the courage to keep putting one foot in front of another. It’s inspiring and it’s motivating. As an organization, we know there’s still more work to be done.

We have a mini update: We reached 60% of our #GivingTuesday goal before 12 pm noon today! We want to give special thanks to eacch and everyone of you who donated to Giving Tuesday campaigns for GAIN. But alas, the day is not over. We still need your help to meet our goal of raising $10,000 today. To help celebrate GAIN this Giving Tuesday, our dear Monica Modi Khant shares in this video what resiliency means to her: ... "Resiliency is something our clients have shown us from day one when we opened our doors 15 years ago. GAIN clients have been resilient after all the torture, suffering, and abuse they have been through. They've had to pick up the pieces and move forward." See more

Message from a GAIN Staff Member What Resiliency Means to Me - https://mailchi.mp/2df/tomorrow-is-givingtuesdaynow-7108861

An Idea for Black Friday: Gift Cards for GAIN Clients - https://mailchi.mp/fd709638d6e6/a-simple-thank-you-7109357

In this article, Forbes briefly touches on several initiatives and recommendations American Immigration Lawyers Association include in their recent document "A Vision for America as a Welcoming Nation." Below are a few of AILA's recommendations: -Restore asylum law and protections for victims of crime -Guarantee legal assistance and counsel... -End inhumane detention See more

This year, the work we've done at GAIN to provide relief for our clients affected by COVID-19 wouldn’t be possible without partners and funders stepping up to help. This amazing news from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta means support for over 200 nonprofits who are responding to education, food insecurity, housing and mental health in the Atlanta area. A number of our clients face income loss, and this award will make it possible for over 100 GAIN client families to receive grocery gift cards this holiday season.

Support GAIN and look good doing it with one (or two) of our limited edition t-shirts. There's one more week to buy t-shirts, and a portion of the proceeds (about $10) will go towards GAIN. So, grab yours before they are gone! For more details, visit https://www.bonfire.com//georgia-asylum-and-immigration-n/

The struggle for immigration relief for asylum-seekers is far from over. U.S. asylum denial rates reached a record high of 71.6% in fiscal year 2020, even with partial court shutdowns during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Noticeably, asylum-seekers from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador were the most likely to be turned down. Those who petitioned in Georgia had high denial rates, while four judges in Atlanta turned down 98 out of 100 asylum claims presented to the...m. "Having [legal] representation greatly increases the odds of winning asylum or other relief, which is why our work at GAIN is crucial. We provide free immigration legal services to survivors and victims of crime and persecution. A number of our clients are survivors of international displacement and violence. And they deserve a fighting chance to have safety, freedom, and opportunity in the U.S. cc: Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse

From all of us at GAIN, Happy Diwali to our staff, clients, attorneys, and friends who are celebrating. We hope you stay safe and healthy. "May the divine light of Diwali bring into your life peace, prosperity, happiness and good health."

Thank you Behind the Glass at Emory for spreading awareness about human trafficking, and actions we as a community can take to protect trafficked immigrants. We're looking forward to tomorrow!

It's disheartening to hear that efforts are being made to deport several women who made allegations of mistreatment against a gynecologist working at Irwin County Detention Center. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have already deported six former patients who were detained. At least seven more women made allegations and are still at Irwin Detention Center have received word that they might soon be removed from the country. "While people who have been deported might still be able to serve as witnesses in a criminal or civil case, many end up in unstable countries or situations where it becomes difficult to maintain contact with them. The deportations are occurring in the last weeks of the current administration."

In less than a few hours, it will be time for the first ever virtual Chopstix for Charity gala!

Today, we want to uplift a story of one our asylum clients. GAIN’s Asylum team was honored to be a part of his family’s story as they bravely faced overwhelming change. Alessandro is a husband and father from Venezuela who had the courage to stand up for what he believes in. Because of his political affiliation and social activism, which conflicted with the current regime, he was kidnapped and threatened with violence, extortion, and even death. Alessandro's wife was also ...threatened, and they were able to escape with their two daughters to the U.S. and apply for asylum in the hopes of moving forward with their lives. While their asylum case is still pending, we were inspired by their joy when they received their work permits and were finally able to work to support their family. To learn more about Alessandro's story and how you can make a difference in the life a GAIN client, check out our latest email.

This Thursday at 7 pm, NAAAP Atlanta - National Association Of Asian American Professionals is hosting its annual Chopstix for Charity gala virtually. This event celebrates organizations that positively impact Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Atlanta. There's still time to register for the event just visit the link in the description.

#ThrowbackThursday: Last year at this time, we remembered the victims and honored the survivors of domestic violence at the eighth annual Standing Strong Together Candlelight Vigil. We gathered with our partners at Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Raksha, Inc, Ahimsa House, International Women's House, Tapestri and Securus House. Though we can’t meet in-person this year, we can gather virtually. Tonight, our friends at Women's Res...ource Center to End Domestic Violence is hosting a virtual candlelight vigil tonight at 7:30 pm on Facebook Live. #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth #DVAM2020 Photo courtesy of Rayna Wooden Photography.

"The United States gave me opportunities that my country of origin could not: freedom of the press and complete freedom of expression." Jorge Ramos, Journalist & Author This quote from Jorge Ramos resonates with us at GAIN because it ties into our vision of safety, freedom, and opportunity for all. A number of our clients are immigrant survivors of crime and persecution, who fled their countries of origin to seek better lives for themselves and their families. GAIN strives to help our clients navigate the complex U.S. immigration legal system because no one should have to do it alone.

Our friends at Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence are hosting a virtual vigil this Thursday in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Last week, Human Rights Watch released a report called Every Day I Live in Fear, which centers asylum-seekers from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who identify as LGBTQ. The report includes interviews from over 100 asylum-seekers who faced persecution in their home countries, and are seeking refuge during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview, Senior Researcher Neela Ghoshal discusses the challenges of seeking asylum, including the lack of safety at home and in the U.S.: Many LGBT people are not safe at home, and the US, in doing everything it can to keep asylum seekers out, is shutting off what for many is the only immediate path to safety. In some cases, the United States is literally putting people at risk of being murdered by sending them home.

"As Latinx migrants acclimate to a new setting, the feeling of not belonging and being perceived as other can have profound effects on mental health. Navigating through a new language and culture is stressful and can leave a lasting impact. The migration journey itself is also incredibly difficult for many, including refugees and asylum seekers who face many systemic barriers." https://www.ccnycampus.org//stigmas-and-silence-mental-hea

In a recent article, Amnesty International reports on the mental health needs of refugees and migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the inadequacies of current responses to them across the globe. Amnesty International’s call to action is for all governments to remove barriers preventing refugees and migrants access to mental health resources. Asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, many of whom already face barriers to housing, employment and healthcare, have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 crisis. The longstanding failure of most governments to provide adequate mental health services for refugees and migrants means they are facing the uncertainty and isolation of the pandemic without support. Charlotte Phillips, Head of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Team at Amnesty International

Today, we want to spotlight Latino LinQ. Latino LinQ advances LGBTQ equity by facilitating support services to Latinx LGBTQ people, and their families, in the areas of healthcare and legal assistance. They also envision a world in which LGBTQ people from across diverse Latinx communities can live their full lives with dignity, respect, and free from discrimination. #FollowFriday #HispanicHeritageMonth

According to a 2018 study, 96% of intimate partner murder-suicide victims are female. This sad, and true statistic resonates deeply with us at GAIN because almost two-thirds of our clients identify as women and girls. We serve immigrant victims of crime and persecution, including survivors of domestic violence. Immigrant populations are uniquely vulnerable to domestic violence, and we do our part by providing free immigration legal services to survivors in need. #DVFacts #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth

With the U.S. being hit harder by the coronavirus than any other country, the current administration has enacted a number of immigration policy changes. In this brief blog article, Legal Desire gives an overview of some of the hardest-hitting immigration orders. https://legaldesire.com/u-s-immigration-laws-in-2020/

Artist Yehimi Cambrón was born in Mexico and raised in Atlanta, GA. Her art centers the humanity and resilience of immigrants. She was recently named one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 for 2020. In collaboration with Welcoming America and Living Walls, the City Speaks, she painted the mural Our Immigrant Mothers. The mural honors three immigrant mothers, celebrating their resiliency along with their courage, compassion, and community. When speaking about t...he mural, Cambrón says: Let people see the resilient women of this mural take up space beautifully every day because that is what they do in their daily lives. They thrive and exist in a system that was not designed for them and actively goes out of its way to marginalize them. When the country where we have recreated home vilifies us, they shower us and others with love. Let them take up this space in this sanctuary of monarchs and desert plants because uprooting to create opportunities for their children is what I call LEADERSHIP. The mural can be viewed at any time at 14 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. The mural is on a wall facing N. Candler Street at E. Howard Avenue (across from the Kimball House). #HispanicHeritageMonth

Today would have been the first day of DHS's Fee Rule, which would double & triple fees for immigration benefits. But that didn't happen thanks to American Immigration Lawyers Association and Sidley Law LLP on behalf of several immigrant advocacy groups. To read more, visit: https://www.aila.org//is/all/changes-to-uscis-fee-schedule

October is #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth. Last year around this time, we shared the Duluth Model's "Power and Control Wheel," which still resonates today. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports of an increase in intimate partner violence. #ThrowbackThursday

Did you know that Berry College English as a Second Language Program is offering free English language classes online? They have three different levels and the courses include interactive learning activities to help you practice and improve your English skills in listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, pronunciation, reading, writing, speaking and life skills.

In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we want to highlight Alex Drummond, a Labor & Employment Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP. He is a member of GAIN’s Board of Directors and he graciously shared his immigration story and why he has a strong connection to GAIN below: My family immigrated [to the U.S.] on a short term employment visa, which expired after 1 year. We worked with a number of lawyers to try to get additional authorization to stay, but the first 3 lawyers who represe...nted us were all disbarred all unrelated and in succession! Since we could not re-enter the country, we could not return to Brazil to visit our family. We had very little guidance from our lawyers and it was all very frustrating. Eventually, we hired someone who was capable. We had to go through a suspension of deportation hearing, where we had to turn ourselves in to INS as being ‘illegal aliens.’ At the hearing, an immigration judge agreed that we should not be deported and, under the law at the time, we all got our green cards. It was all very scary and frustrating and I came to recognize the value of good legal counsel. GAIN gives me the opportunity to help those who are traveling the same path I travelled." Thank you Alex for sharing your personal experience and why you invest in GAIN. We truly value your commitment and support in furthering our vision of safety, freedom, and opportunity for all.

Right before the sun sets this evening, the GAIN team wishes our Jewish neighbors Chag Sameach, or "Happy Holiday." We hope you have a meaningful fast during Yom Kippur, and that you continue to stay safe and healthy.

Earlier this month, PARADE Magazine shared a roundup of 20 new books coming out this fall in honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth. The list includes novels, cookbooks, children’s storybooks, memoirs, and poetry collections. If you’re interested in finding new books that address immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s empowerment, and more, make sure to check out the link below: https://parade.com///latinx-hispanic-heritage-month-books/