An insider’s look at I-ARC’s work

This post is brought to you by I-ARC’s amazing intern, Sheribright Enowtah.

Internship chronicles at I-ARC: Insights from Sheribright Enowtah

As my internship journey at I-ARC draws near the end, I am excited to share what I have learned so far, so please join me on this voyage as I unveil to you my experiences, challenges, growth, and unexpected discoveries. Bon Voyage! 

Before I started working at I-ARC, I wasn’t familiar with the work of the organization, and wasn’t sure what my role there would entail. But I enthusiastically jumped right in - “trial by fire” as it’s commonly called! - and began working at their asylum clinics, run jointly by I-ARC and NYIC. These were held in person in Albany in February and March, and they required four categories of volunteers: application preparers, legal volunteers, translators, and supervising attorneys. 

Now you may be  thinking, “So how was she able to work in immigration without any knowledge or expertise or prior experience of it?” Well, I-ARC provided amazing weekly trainings before the clinic day, which I absorbed like a sponge. 

I started as an application preparer, and my role involved conducting what are called “credible fear” interviews with the applicants and completing the first four pages of the I-589 form, which is 12 pages long and used in applying for asylum-based immigration, under supervision An applicant is found to have a credible fear of persecution if they can establish a “significant possibility” that they have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution or harm on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion if returned to their home country. 

On my first day at the asylum clinic, I was paired with an immigrant from Ecuador.  She was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She had gone through an incredible amount of challenges trying to get her and her children to the United States, especially as she had to travel with a one-year-old child. It was hard to hear about everything she had endured to ensure the safety of her children and - I  truly admire her resilience, courage and above all, her love for her kids. She could only speak Spanish and I do not speak Spanish, but despite our language barrier, we were able to navigate through the help of a translator (mind you, it was my very first time working with a translator and I remember turning to him  and saying “Please can you tell her …” and the translator saying to me “Speak to her directly and I will translate to her.”)  I thought I had to speak to the translator who would then communicate to the applicant, but I was wrong. And that was only one of the things I learned throughout this process.  

As time progressed and I became familiar with the process and training, I was promoted to working as a legal volunteer, where I helped applicants persuasively write their asylum story and complete the rest of the I-589 form. I would also help some applicants complete a motion to change venue or the change of address form. 

My time at the I-ARC asylum clinic opened my eyes in a new way. There were so many challenges, like what do you do when you are faced with a difficult applicant or with someone who has so much to say yet does not know how to express their thoughts despite the help of a translator who speaks their language? 

I had to learn to navigate through these choppy waters. One of the times I worked as a legal volunteer, I was paired with someone who did not  seem interested in their application, and the one-year deadline was fast approaching. I had to remind him why he was applying for asylum in the first place, and the consequences of missing his deadline if he did not file his application. As much as I was there to help, I reminded him that I could not put my own thoughts on the application form. and I reminded him of the possible consequences  should the judge not find his story convincing. This was a tough situation, but I, with the translator's valuable help, was able to figure out a way to work with the applicant and help him complete and file his application on time. Another day, I was paired with an applicant who had so much to say yet could not express himself.  Most of what he would say was yes and no without much explanation.  I reached out to the  supervising attorney for help. After a lot of work,  rephrasing questions in different ways, we finally were able to work with the applicant to explain his asylum story.  

Interning at I-ARC has taught me a lot. For example, my communication and interviewing skills have greatly improved. I learned how to complete an asylum application, a motion for change of venue, and a change of address form.  I also learned how to deal with difficult and challenging situations, and how  to work with translators. 

Most importantly, I learned that it’s not always years of experience that make a person a valuable asset to an organization, but instead a commitment to learning, as well as advocating for those who can’t do it all for themselves. 

I would like to commend the amazing I-ARC and NYIC staff who work tirelessly, dedicating their time, knowledge, and resources to help the community of Albany through their asylum clinic.  Also, food was never something to worry about as NYIC made provisions for breakfast and lunch and mind you, the food was exceptionally good at all times. They even had people volunteer as nannies to look after the children of applicants. The dedication and professionalism of the I-ARC and NYIC staff should be applauded by all. Especially since these clinics were free to the community members who we assisted.  I would also like to commend all those who took time off their schedules, to volunteer to help the community and people of Albany.