Now that we are approaching the end of the program, I have started to think more about what I am going to do after in regards to immigration. I don’t want this to be something that I tell others I have done but haven’t done anything in regards to it in the future. And with how the political atmosphere is at the moment, there are definitely many things that one can do to be involved. I want to make sure that the fire that has sparked while working with Catholic Legal Services is something that I will be able to keep burning the way it is now. From this program, I have gained a lot more insight into the law portion of becoming a citizen and have understood that the entire system is just as messy as many people think it is. But one of the things that I have realized is that it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. It is frustrating how unfair USCIS can be or how long it takes to get responses, but seeing the lawyers’ hope gives me hope. Every attorney that we talked to or would work with would always talk about these situations and would be full of hope. If it didn’t seem that plausible, they would still try to find the little details or opportunities that would give them something to work with and they would take it. The fact that there are people like those that I worked with that give their absolute best to be able to ensure that people can come to this country makes me very happy. It may not change much in my views of the USCIS but it definitely has made me respect attorneys and basically the people that connect one to the USCIS. I hope the best for Catholic Legal Services and other organizations that are working to allow people to have a better future. I am thankful to have been a part of it and am really hoping that I can help others in that way in the future.
