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| Dear Friend, This month, I was thrilled to hear that one of our clients was released from detention with a green card. Our team helped him pursue a legal path that was already available to him, and I felt relief knowing he could move forward with his life. It is one of those moments that reminds me what it means for someone to have an attorney by their side. Committed to expanding our outreach, we also shared resources with school leaders for students and families this month, and our attorneys exchanged ideas with colleagues across our national network. Supporters in our community have stepped forward, too. It means a great deal to know they care about the people we serve. We want more people to have the chance to fight for their right to a stable life in the United States. But funding for this work has become harder to count on. Federal funding for legal services for unaccompanied children ended on July 31, and payments from the Harris County Immigrant Legal Services Fund have been paused. I am concerned about what this means for a child or a person in detention with a court date already on the calendar. Our team is doing the work, and we need help sustaining it. I want Justice for all Immigrants (JFAI) to be there when the next person reaches out for help. If you are able, please make a gift today to support our legal services. Thank you for standing with our clients and our team. With Gratitude, Joy Green
Executive Director
Justice for all Immigrants |
| | Sam Left Detention with a Green Card Sam* fled Honduras after receiving death threats from gang members. His father had abandoned him when he was young, and nonprofit attorneys later helped him obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) in the United States. This legal status made him eligible to wait in line to apply for a green card, but his case was far from straightforward. In December 2025, ICE detained Sam despite having SIJS. By then, an immigrant visa number had become available for him to apply for permanent residence based on his approved SIJS classification. JFAI Staff Attorney Alexandra Santamaría Caplan advocated for his adjustment of status while he was detained. The application was approved, and Sam left detention as a lawful permanent resident. Sam’s case reflects how legal representation can make a difference for someone in detention. However, funding for our work is at risk. A temporary court order has paused payments from the Harris County Immigrant Legal Services Fund, which supports JFAI’s representation of people facing deportation. “Sam had already fled threats to his life when he was detained,” Alexandra said. “Fortunately, he had a path to a green card, and we were able to help him pursue it. Now funding for deportation defense has halted, but our clients’ cases and deadlines do not. We need our community’s support to keep showing up for people like Sam when they most need an attorney. See more client stories here. | Visit our work, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. *Name and photo changed for privacy reasons. |
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| | A Day of Giving at Reverie Bakeshop “Show kindness rather than judgment.” Racene Mendoza Nguyen, co-owner of Reverie Bakeshop in Richardson, Texas, shared those words from a pastor she grew up with when asked what she wanted people to know about her as a donor. They also capture the spirit of the bakery’s Independence Day fundraiser. “The team and I didn’t feel patriotic to celebrate Independence Day because of the injustices that families have been experiencing in recent years,” Racene said. They decided to dedicate a portion of the all-vegan bakery’s sales that day to support JFAI’s work. Customers joined them by donating. “It was very moving to see our customers respond with similar feelings,” she said. Racene found JFAI while researching organizations responding to the needs of immigrant families. Our programs and dedication stood out to her. She hoped the bakery’s support could offer families some “relief and hope,” and she believes people facing difficult circumstances deserve to know their voices are heard. What began with the bakery team's idea grew into an opportunity for customers to put that same compassion into action. Racene said her pastor’s words remind her how much kindness can mean to someone. That support is needed now. Funding for immigration legal services remains uncertain, while people still need help with urgent cases and deadlines. If Reverie Bakeshop’s story moves you, please consider making a gift to JFAI or inviting your business to support our work. Thank you to Racene, fellow owners Bryan Nguyen and Andi McCord, the Reverie Bakeshop team, and every customer who donated. |
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| |  | Working Together for Students and Families On September 4, JFAI Executive Director Joy Green presented at the Precinct 2 Superintendents Meeting at the Leonel Castillo Community Center in Houston. She shared area resources available to immigrant families with Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia and local school superintendents. Joy also discussed how school districts can connect with JFAI and other legal service providers. “Families often turn to schools when they need support,” Joy said. “I appreciated the chance to connect with local school leaders about how we can help families find reliable resources, including immigration legal services. Supporting students also means making sure their families know where to turn to for help.” The meeting brought school leaders and community partners together to strengthen essential resources for students and families. JFAI thanks Commissioner Garcia for the opportunity to take part in the conversation. |
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| |  | What Citizenship Means to Our Clients and Team For Citizenship Day on September 17, we reflected on what some of our naturalization clients have shared about what becoming a U.S. citizen means to them. For many, citizenship brings a greater sense of safety in the country they call home. For Eduardo,* that sense of security was a major motivation for pursuing citizenship. “My wife and I fear for our safety in this country… They are even detaining lawful permanent residents,” he explained. “After my oath ceremony, I will feel safer and more secure.” For Silvia,* citizenship also means having a greater voice in civic life. “I wanted to be able to vote and have a few more rights, and to become more involved with laws and immigration matters.” Guadalupe* completed the naturalization process with Staff Attorney Esther Oni-Carew. “I did not pay a single cent. I recommend JFAI to everyone. I always remind people, ‘Have you talked to JFAI yet?’” She even encouraged her granddaughter to pursue citizenship, and the two became citizens together. These sentiments of safety and empowerment also resonate with members of the JFAI team. Legal Assistant Viridiana de la Cruz described Citizenship Day as a time to recognize “sacrifice, hard work, hope, and the opportunity to build a better future,” reflecting on her own immigrant roots and the sacrifices families make for future generations. Staff Attorney Daniella Chacón Salas celebrated those who have become U.S. citizens while recognizing those still navigating their own immigration journeys. Staff Attorney Esther Oni-Carew encouraged green card holders and children of U.S. citizens with questions about citizenship to reach out to JFAI. We are grateful to Harris County and the Houston Immigration Naturalization Services Fund, which helps eligible low-income permanent residents in Harris County pursue naturalization and funds most of JFAI’s naturalization services.
See the team’s Citizenship Day reflections on Facebook. *Names changed for privacy reasons. |
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| | Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month For Hispanic Heritage Month, JFAI team members Karina Espinoza, Daniela Betancourt, Stephanie Nuñez, and Gabriela López Compeán shared what their heritage means to them. Karina reflected on celebrations, traditional foods, and the values of family and education. Daniela spoke about the strength and warmth her Mexican immigrant parents built into their family in Texas. Stephanie shared how food, music, and traditions keep her connected to Honduras. Their reflections celebrate the people and traditions they carry with them. Read the team’s full reflections on Facebook |
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| | JFAI at the ILJ Network Roundtable From September 22 to 24, Executive Director Joy Green, Legal Director José Luis Martinez, and Staff Attorney Alexandra Santamaría Caplan attended the annual Immigration Law & Justice Network Roundtable in Atlanta, Georgia. UMCOR, one of the original founders of the ILJ Network, hosted the Roundtable, bringing legal service providers from partner sites across the country together to discuss client advocacy, changing caseloads, and funding uncertainty. Joy co-led an interactive discussion where immigration legal professionals shared questions and practical approaches to their work. José facilitated a panel on removal defense and federal litigation, with Alexandra joining as a panelist to share her experience on using impact litigation to defend her clients against unlawful detention. The Roundtable gave JFAI an opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues across the network as they work to meet the continuing need for immigration legal services |
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| | Some People in ICE Custody No Longer Appear in The Public Locator ICE stopped listing detainees with final removal orders in its public locator on September 15. Attorneys say the change makes it harder to find clients and pursue remaining legal options. Read the full story here. More Unaccompanied Children are Being Placed in Texas An analysis of immigration court records found that nearly 80% of unaccompanied children newly issued court notices in July, and more than 90% in August, were placed in Texas. Researchers say the shift was driven mainly by placements of newly arrived children, rather than transfers from other states. Federal officials have not publicly explained the change. Advocates have raised concerns about access to legal counsel because formal representation rates for children with active cases in several Texas immigration courts remain low. Read the full story here. Change in Human Trafficking Policy Could Make Some Minors Easier to Deport Caregivers must now report suspected trafficking involving children in federal custody to the Office of Refugee Resettlement for screening. Officials say this reduces improper referrals; advocates worry it could delay help.
Read the full story here. |
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| | | | | THANK YOU! As always, we would like to express our appreciation to our supporters, whose donations have a profound impact on the lives of our clients. |
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| | Justice for all Immigrants
2220 Broadway Street | Houston, Texas 77012
713-454-6470 | [email protected] |
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