Week Ten: Looking Back
When I first returned from Atlanta, I made a lot of jokes. When asked about my time down south in the Peach state, I'd say things like "I melted, it really is Hotlanta" or "I ate so much fried chicken and biscuits." It was initially hard to discuss the important work being done by GAIN while also trying to steer clear of political debates. When I did talk about my work with asylum seekers and victims of violence, it seemed I always ended bumming people out.
I maneuvered several self-inflicted mental obstacle courses as I tried to relay my summer. Realistically, what I really wanted to talk about and thought the most about was my last week. That final week, I visited the Georgia Court of Appeals. There, a team of Troutman Sanders pro bono attorneys were arguing an asylum case they had picked up from GAIN. The asylum seeker had suffered years of torture and death threats by a terrorist group in his native country. His story was so compelling and had filled the courtroom with attorneys eager to hear the argument.
The government's main argument was enough time had passed for the petitioner to safely return home. In roughly ten minutes, the pro bono obliterated this argument. It was incredible to see the judges gradually become convinced, bombarding opposing counsel with questions. I don't know the outcome of the case but I walked into that courtroom hopeless and left inspired. Watching a very successful team of corporate lawyers argue an asylum case before the 11th circuit reminded me that despite the current immigration landscape, people are fighting. I ended my time at GAIN with a perfect example of the collaborative relationships between nonprofit and corporate lawyers and the blending of resources, commitment, and passion that takes the work to a whole new level.
A week after I returned from Atlanta, the El Paso shooting happened. My time at GAIN, followed by this senseless tragedy, woke me up. There are roughly 11 million undocumented people currently in the U.S. This summer I dealt with a very tiny portion of that group. But all those people I interacted reflected broken our system is and how much work there is to be done.
I was incredibly lucky to work at GAIN alongside such dedicated and fearless attorneys who were unwavering in their commitment. Because of them and the incredibly brave clients I met, I speak proudly about my work there instead of staying silent out of fear of someone's immigration stance. What is going on at the border is a humanitarian crisis. Whatever political reform you think is the answer, I'd like to think we can all talk about undocumented people, their harrowing journeys and unbelievable sacrifices, with compassion and empathy.