A.G. Gancarski
Before the meeting of the Jacksonville Area Refugee Task Force on Wednesday, sponsored by the Department of Children and Families here and throughout the state, this writer was spoke with Elaine Carson of World Relief Jacksonville.
The faith-based organization helps refugees and those in need of political asylum, with a recent concentration on Burmese and Eritrean resettlement in the Jacksonville area.
She noted her allocation of 600 refugees was cut to 475 this year. She contended the cut may have been a result of pyrotechnic rhetoric nationally, but also on the local scene —as represented by Rep. Lake Ray and his “Prevention of Acts of War” bill.
The bill died on the second reading calendar this session, but nonetheless had a chilling effect on the discourse.
However, there is a happy ending, of sorts.
Carson talked to Ray, and said he had mellowed on the issue.
He had met a refugee.
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As with every manner of personal evolution, direct experience manages to demystify difference.
And at the refugee task force meeting, difference had been long since been demystified, as groups working with refugee populations talked about their challenges and their approaches, offering mutual support in these difficult tasks.
A representative from Catholic Charities discussed resettlement challenges, including language and documentation issues, such as complex issues with consulates.
They ensure that recent immigrants, who need the help most, know they are there to help.
And they are open to help everyone, regardless of country, gender, or other considerations.
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Helping with refugee service is the Florida Coastal School of Law.
Speaking on FCSL’s behalf, Erica Curran discussed the school’s free immigration law clinic.
Curran described this and similar clinics as being akin to a “teaching hospital,” where student attorneys get professional guidance to help with immigration issues.
As well, FSCL helps with citizenship and guardianship issues for recent immigrants, including issues related to unaccompanied minor immigrants, which are complicated right now, Curran said.
“We’re losing a lot of our cases,” Curran said, “but we’re continuing to do that work.”
The child migrant crisis has built a backlog, Curran said, with waits on the resolution of some cases lasting up to six years.
Also complicated are asylum cases, as Homeland Security and other concerns can add a layer of difficulty to what would seem to be a cut-and-dried, factual process of proving the need for asylum.
Citizenship matters for youth are extremely important. As Curran put it, “naturalization issues are the best defense against deportation.”
In criminal cases, Curran noted “gaps” in the understanding of the public defender’s office relative to immigration issues, including the severely punitive consequences they can face for comparatively minor crimes.
Capacity issues are also a concern for FSCL. They keep their phones off in the clinic often, because with no secretaries to answer, the deluge of calls keeps them from handling the cases they have to deal with.
With that in mind, Curran urged other organizations at the task force meeting to provide written referrals of clients.
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The American attitude toward refugee populations is mixed and often inherently contradictory. What is clear is that people across the world still see America — internal issues notwithstanding — as a beacon of liberty, as a place where historic and often generational wrongs can be righted, for them and for their families.
Long after Donald Trump and others are historic footnotes, refugees continue to come to America.
And against all odds, there will be people among us to greet them and to show them the way.
