Needs
So far in 2023, we have initiated more than 100 DACA renewals, nearly 200 family visa applications, and 50 citizenship naturalization applications. In total we’ve provided more than a thousand services this year including work permits, advance parole, and services for refugees and victims of crime or domestic violence. As you know, legal immigration processes can be very time consuming. The average length of time our cases have been open is more than 7 years. We have provided more than a thousand client consults this year, and in total have impacted close to 2,000 people in our community.
Light of Hope is one of a few organizations in DFW that assist low-income individuals with these processes. Many of our clients are minimally educated and cannot read or write in their native language. Our clients are not able to afford the services of an immigration attorney, which can range from $5,000 to $10,000 for the services we provide. But while our clients’ ability to pay has not increased, our costs unfortunately have. Each of our cases involves careful analysis and translation of documents, interpretation of processes and regulations, preparation for appointments, and expert legal representation. On average, each client we help costs us $110 more than they are able to pay. That means that every $110 you donate enables us to help one more client!
We also provide pro bono support to the community. Our free citizenship classes this spring provided 85 hours of instruction to 21 students, 4 of whom became naturalized citizens. We are excited this year to return to more in-person events providing workshops to assist clients with free one-on-one help in their N-400, DACA, and asylum processes.
In September, we celebrate 17 years of service, and we look forward to many, many more successes to celebrate, but we need your help to do it.
Will you donate this year to empower the work that we do and encourage your networks to do the same?