Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project

This 🏵️Hispanic Heritage Month🏵️, we celebrate and honor the diverse cultural backgrounds of our Hispanic team members at Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project. Their experiences have shaped their careers and contributed to our success. We are proud to highlight Raquel Mora-Ojeda, a Paralegal in our Immigrant Children & Youth (ICY) Program, as a shining example of Hispanic excellence. As we continue to recognize the achievements of our Hispanic team members, we invite you to join the conversation. Share your own experiences and insights using #HispanicHeritageMonth #HispanicHeritageMonth2024 #DiversityandInclusion #Empowerment #FromRootsToSuccess #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas

Tuesday, Sep. 10, 2024, was a monumental day for our community as the #HarrisCounty Commissioners Court unanimously approved $1.5M for the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund. With this funding, Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project represented immigrant survivors of domestic violence and provided critical emergency assistance to those in urgent need. Our Executive Director, in collaboration with our dedicated partner organizations (photo), showed up to advocate for this program at the Commissioner's Court meeting. As a non-profit committed to supporting immigrant survivors, we are deeply grateful for this essential program that offers hope and safety to those in crisis. Please visit the following link to watch full video: https://ow.ly/yQiJ50Tmnox #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #DomesticViolenceAwareness #SupportSurvivors #CommunityFunding #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas

Hey friends! We're SO excited to announce our 1st Hygiene Drive, and we want YOU to be a part of it! Let's come together to support immigrants in the #Galveston - #Houston area by donating essential #HygieneProducts. 🚿✨ How You Can Help: 🎁Donate: We, at Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, are leading the effort to collect a variety of hygiene products. Donations can be dropped off at our Houston office from 9 AM to 4 PM until Monday, September 30th, 2024. You can also contribute by ordering from our Amazon Wishlist (please scan the QR code). 📢 Spread the Word: Remember to share this post with your friends, family, and colleagues, and let's show the power of community. Every little bit makes a huge difference! #GHIRP #HygieneDrive #WelcomeWithDignity #CommunitySupport #GiveBack #SupportOurCommunity #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #Donate #Support #Texas🌟🛁

🌟 Whether you need assistance with work authorization or have questions about your immigration status, we are here to help. Join us for our upcoming workshops! 🌟 📅 Know Your Rights (KYR) Sessions: FREE immigration information session. When: 2nd TUESDAY of every month. Where: @stvhope, 2817 Post Office St., Galveston, TX 77550. Time: 9:30 a.m. Please call 409-900-2114. 📅 Survivors of Crime and Human Trafficking - Walk In Days: FREE consultations for crime survivors with a legal professional. When: 3rd TUESDAY of every month. Where: 6001 Savoy Drive, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77036. Time: 8:30 a.m. 📅 General Immigration Services Sessions: FREE legal consultations to immigrants seeking family unity, freedom from abuse and persecution, protection from deportation, work authorizations, Temporary Protective Status (TPS) and citizenship services to eligible Harris County residents. When: 4th Tuesday of every month. Where: 6001 Savoy Drive, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77036. Time: 8:30 a.m. Don't miss out on an incredible opportunity to take one step closer to becoming a U.S. citizen and join us at our Houston office on September 6th for a FREE #CitizenshipWorkshop. We will guide you through the naturalization process and get your packet ready for USCIS. Registration required. Please visit ghirp.org or contact us at 713-561-3059 for more information. #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #ImmigrationRights #Workshops #LegalAid #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas

Exciting news! Our Executive Director, Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy, was recently featured in Houstonia Magazine discussing the importance of advocating for #immigrants and their impact on communities. As we continue to navigate the latest trends in #immigration, we invite you to read the article to learn more about our work and to support our cause by donating today! 💚 Thank you Emilia Benton, for bringing attention to this critical topic to #HoustonianMagazine readers and @rathbun_photography for capturing the pictures. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gXJ7w3B8 #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #ImmigrationRights #Workshops #LegalAid #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas

Kudos to @GHIRP Senior Attorney Diana Wakasugi-Arriola, who successfully represented our Immigrant Children & Youth (ICY) client in juvenile court on an urgent case of first impression for the GHIRP team. Because of Diana’s zealous advocacy, a young girl can now apply for permanent legal status and finish her studies in the #UnitedStates, where she dreams of becoming a #FlightAttendant to reach the sky and #travel the world. 🌎✈️ This significant outcome was the result of a strong team effort. Our ICY paralegal, Guadalupe Navarrete, played an essential role by quickly establishing a solid rapport with the client and obtaining crucial undisclosed information needed for the case. Her collaboration with Diana was instrumental in achieving this success. Keep up the excellent work, team, and let's keep reaching for the stars!✨ #Motivation #Inspiration #Success #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas

We are excited to host a #CitizenshipWorkshop at our Houston office on Friday, September 6th, 2024. This workshop is open to legal permanent residents (LPR) who qualify for #citizenship. Legal professionals from @GHIRP and other local organizations will fill out the naturalization form for each participant and offer a private consultation with an attorney to ensure their packet is ready to go for USCIS. All services are free. Registration is required. Items to bring: ✅ Green Card ✅ Marriage License and/or Divorce Decree ✅ Military ID card ✅ Copies of any documents showing prior arrests or immigration violations. ✅ If applying for a fee waiver or reduced fee, your most recently filed tax return and any governmental assistance received (i.e., SNAP, TANF, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicaid). For more details, please contact us at (713) 561-3059 or by email [email protected]. See you there! #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas

GHIRP is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors. These appointments reflect our commitment to strengthening the organization and broadening our expertise, all in service of the community. New Board Members: 💚 Monica Ortiz Holtkamp Executive Director of Casa Mateo, a shelter welcoming displaced immigrants and asylum seekers. Monica is a dedicated and passionate Master of Social Work committed to serving Houston's diverse and underserved communities. 💚 Emma Doineau Assistant General Counsel of Locke Lord LLP, advising the Firm and its attorneys and team members on litigation, regulatory compliance, corporate social responsibility, and ethical and professional issues. She is a Houston Bar Foundation Fellow who received the Outstanding Pro Bono Achievement Award from the Houston Volunteer Lawyers in 2019. "We are absolutely delighted to welcome these exceptional immigrant advocates to our Board of Directors. Their unique perspectives and experiences will play a pivotal role as we propel forward in our mission and strategic goals." - Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy, GHIRP Executive Director and Co-founder. #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas

CHILDREN AT RISK invited Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy, GHIRP Executive Director and Co-founder, to speak during a press conference with other local advocates to celebrate the new federal, child-forward, executive orders on immigration while exploring the impact on Texas children and the state's economy on June 28, 2024. Over 10% of all Texas children live in a mixed-status household, representing 22-51% of all families within Texas' major metro areas. In June, the Biden administration announced a new program that allows spouses of US citizens to apply for parole to gain lawful status in the US. This new program significantly benefits families and children by ensuring they will not face years of family separation. Marriage to a US citizen alone does not provide a pathway to citizenship. The law often requires the non-citizen spouse to leave the US to apply for a visa. This can take years and is very risky. Simply put, this new rule is a game-changer. It offers families the relief of staying together here in Houston and living without the constant fear of deportation or prolonged separation. Children can now rest assured that none of their parents will be taken away from them at any moment. This program brings a sense of security to households, ensuring that the support our youth need to thrive will not be disrupted. When one family member cannot access employment, healthcare, and travel, the entire family suffers. At GHIRP, we have witnessed the heart-wrenching stories of mothers and, most recently, a grandmother, who are the primary caretakers, being deported, leaving the children with no one to care for them. These situations are heartbreaking and result in extreme hardship, especially for low-income families. The impact on children is profound, often requiring them to either leave the US with their caretaker or drop out of school to help support the family, significantly diminishing their quality of life. It's important to note that this new program has yet to be in effect, and there will likely be legal challenges. However, if it is successfully implemented, our entire community would benefit. This potential for positive change should inspire us to support and advocate for the program's implementation, fostering a sense of optimism and hope for the future. #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas

GHIRP’s most recent success involves one of our youngest clients, Jasper, a 6-year-old child from #Guatemala who entered the #UnitedStates seeking #asylum when he was only 3 years old. During his critical developmental years in #Houston, Jasper was diagnosed with an intellectual disability and communication disorder. Although Jasper experienced communication challenges, GHIRP provided social services support and #LegalServices to ensure that he and his mother had the resources they needed to thrive. With a pending asylum application with USCIS, the asylum office unexpectedly called Jasper for his asylum interview, where he would have to testify alone. GHIRP attorney Jessica Razo and her supporting legal team quickly jumped in to request special accommodations and to provide new, extensive evidence showing that he would be exposed to mistreatment in Guatemala if forced to return as a young child with a severe disability. The Houston Asylum Office granted his case in May 2024, ensuring he never needs to worry about getting deported! Jasper continues to attend school in Houston ISD, where he is receiving the education he deserves along with supportive teachers who have helped his development. #SuccessStories #Success #GHIRP #ImmigrantJustice #Immigration #Donate #Support #Galveston #Houston #Texas