CVRAN Responds To Uncertain Times

December 21, 2024
Dear CVRAN Community,
This is a time of year many of us pause and take stock. We all seek for hope and peace in the dark of the year. One pressing issue for CVRAN is what will be happening ahead on the immigration front? We are trying to respond and stay flexible. How can we remain welcoming with the sand shifting under our feet?
Heavy on our hearts is the fear and confusion felt by all who are asylum seekers or refugees. What do the statements made by the new president-elect mean? Will they be deported en masse or sent to detention centers? Will their family members for whom they have been waiting never be allowed in? Will some lose their work permits and their jobs? As a first response, CVRAN held a November meeting with about 40 newcomers and their contacts attending. Our pro bono lawyer fielded questions. A CVRAN working group was formed to address the needs of local people at risk as best we can. This week, a list of cautionary measures was sent out for sharing with the newcomers. Even though all of the CVRAN New Vermonters have legal status and therefore should not be picked up by ICE agents, the New Vermonters are being advised to always carry documents that prove their status; they are advised to have an emergency number memorized in case they lose their phone; they are advised to stay in their cars if stopped by an agent. Other immigrants in the city of Montpelier, some of whom have documents and some of whom do not, are receiving similar advice. It is a time to stand together.
A quite new organization, VAAP (Vermont Asylum Assistance Project) has been holding extra legal clinics to help more people get proper documents. Some CVRAN volunteers have been helping translate at these clinics. Hundreds of people have been served. Other volunteers are monitoring information shared through online meetings and podcasts. Accurate and up-to-date information is essential. CVRAN has joined in advocating our legislators at the federal level to obtain Temporary Protected Status for a group of people who cannot return to their home country without extreme risk. A statewide asylum group, of which we are a member, is putting out a series of press releases about why immigrants are important (now on our website).
Is there a window to bring in more people before January 20th? The CVRAN Board decided to frontload any people we were planning to take on this upcoming year, around 10 people. We sent out urgent requests for team leaders and team members and were delighted with the response. A whole new group has stepped forward to work with one family, likely an Afghan family of 4, that is desperately trying to get here in time. Another team finished its work with a current family and declared themselves ready to accept a new family, a single African mother with twins, who will be coming in early January. We are currently talking to USCRI (the refugee resettlement agency) about a third group. There are volunteers for teams in Waterbury. Can we expand more into that area?
As we interview with prospective executive directors, we speak of the need to be flexible in the face of many unknowns.
Meanwhile, much appreciation to all of you who help to create a welcome in Central Vermont, despite fear, despite rumor, despite unknown future pressures and changes. You have rallied around not only as team members, but also as newcomers, donors, volunteers, and board members. Thank you. You are all providing a light in the darkness.
Rachel Cogbill