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On May 24th, Robb Elementary School suffered a horrific tragedy after a gunman had entered the school after shooting his grandmother. In what is now being investigated as a grossly mishandled situation, 19 individuals had lost their lives before law enforcement intervened.
This loss of innocent life only serves to highlight the dangers of gun violence and how swiftly it can cause irreparable harm in the wrong hands. We at Secure Families Collaborative are horrified by this extreme act of violence and we grieve for the families and loved ones of the victims. Our hearts are with them and we hope for their families' recovery as they try to move past this nightmare.
As there may be those seeking to offer help, we have gathered several resources below that may help:
ROBB SCHOOL MEMORIAL FUND
The Robb School Memorial Fund is an official account supported by Uvalde elected officials, the CISD, and local businesses. 100% of all donations are charitable and will go to the victims and survivors of the mass shooting.
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
The Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country serves 10 counties, including Uvalde County. The organization has established the Uvalde Strong Survivors Fund, a relief fund that will provide direct financial assistance to the survivors of the deceased and those directly affected by this tragedy, and the Uvalde Strong Fund, a relief fund established to support Uvalde residents -- individuals, families, and community organizations healing from the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. 100% of the funds collected are charitable.
THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS (LULAC)
LULAC has established the Fund for Families of Victims and Survivors of the Uvalde School Shooting to collect donations for the victims and survivors at Robb Elementary School. 100% of the contributions are charitable and will go directly to the families of those affected by this tragedy.
Donate here.
VICTIMS FIRST
Victim’s First is a national network of families impacted by previous mass shootings. The organization has established a GoFundMe page for the victims of the Uvalde Robb Elementary School shooting as well for the victims of the tragic shooting in Buffalo, NY on May 14, 2022. 100% of the contributions are charitable and will go directly to the families.
Donate here.
UNIVERSITY HEALTH
Uvalde Victims Relief Fund has been created by University Health to support the families of the Robb Elementary School shooting while their loved ones are at the University Hospital. The funds collected will be used to help cover any unpaid medical expenses, lodging, food and other needs identified by the University Health social workers. Any funds not spent will be donated to Uvalde charities involved in ongoing relief efforts.
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Federal Courts will Not Review Factual Determinations in Removal Proceedings in Patel v. Garland
Washington (CNN) - On May 16th, the Supreme Court limited the ability of federal courts to review certain factual findings in immigration proceedings that determine whether noncitizens will be deported or will be allowed to remain in the country.
Patel, a citizen of India who was seeking to apply for permanent residency in Georgia, had mistakenly check a box stating he was a U.S. citizen on a driver's license application. He was then charged with falsely claiming to be a citizen. Despite the charges against him being dismissed, his application for adjustment of status was denied and he was placed in removal proceedings along with his wife and one of their children.
He lost his case after failing to convince the immigration judge that the mistake was not intentional as he would have been eligible for a license without being a citizen because of his valid work permit. The Board of Immigration Appeals also upheld this decision. However, he attempted to appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals but was told it did not have the jurisdiction to review the case's factual findings.
In Monday's opinion, Justice Barrett noted that Congress has detailed the rules by which non-citizens can live in the United States and when those rules are violated, Congress has provided procedures for removal. She said "there is room for mercy" for the Attorney General to grant some relief from removal in certain circumstances but, she said, "federal courts have a very limited role to play" in the process. In short, this ruling made it more difficult for non-citizens who are in removal proceedings to get a federal court to review factual determinations that were made by an immigration court concerning relief from deportation.
Justice Gorsuch filed the dissent opinion and was critical of the court's decision.
"It is no secret that when processing applications, licenses and permits the government sometimes makes mistakes," he said, "In circumstances like that, our law has long permitted individuals to petition a court to consider the question and correct any mistake".
He noted that thousands of individuals seek to obtain a green cards every year outside of the removal context -- and that in the last three months of 2021, the government denied more than 13,000 green card applications with nearly 790,000 pending.
"With so many applications receiving such abbreviated treatment, who can be surprised that DHS sometimes makes serious errors," Gorsuch wrote. "Until today, courts could correct mistakes like these," he added.
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TPS Registration Now Open for Afghan Citizens
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously announced the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. On May 19th, DHS posted the Federal Register notice, which detailed the process for registering. The registration period officially opened on May 20th and all qualified applicants can apply until November 20, 2023.
To be eligible, individuals must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States since March 15, 2022, and continuous physical presence in the United States since May 20, 2022. Afghan nationals currently not residing in the United States or who arrived in the United States after March 15, 2022, are not eligible for TPS under this designation. Applicants are also eligible to file the required forms online via the USCIS website.
Through Operation Allies Welcome, most Afghan nationals who arrived as part of the evacuation effort were paroled into the United States on a case-by-case basis, for humanitarian reasons, for a period of two years and received work authorization. These individuals may also be eligible for TPS.
When filing a TPS application, applicants can also request an Employment Authorization Document by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with their Form I-821. Applicants may also submit Form I-765 online.
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Temporary Final Rule on Automatic Extension for EADs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a Temporary Final Rule (TFR), which has gone into effect on May 4th, that increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization up to 540 days for eligible applicants.
The TFR, which only applies to those EAD categories currently eligible for an automatic up to 180-day extension, will temporarily provide up to 360 days of additional automatic extension time (for a total of up to 540 days) to eligible applicants with a timely-filed Form I-765 renewal application pending during the 18-month period after publication of the TFR while USCIS continues to work through pending caseloads that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Oct. 27, 2023, automatic extensions of employment authorization and EAD validity will revert to the up to 180-day period for those eligible applicants who timely file Form I-765 renewal applications.
Noncitizens with a pending EAD renewal application whose 180-day automatic extension has lapsed and whose EAD has expired will be granted an additional period of employment authorization and EAD validity, beginning on May 4, 2022 and lasting up to 540 days from the expiration date of their EAD, such that they may resume employment if they are still within the up to 540-day automatic extension period and are otherwise eligible.
Noncitizens with a pending renewal application still covered under the 180-day automatic extension will be granted an additional up to 360-day extension, for a total of up to 540 days past the expiration of the current EAD. Noncitizens with a pending renewal application and valid EAD on May 4, 2022, or who timely file an EAD renewal application before Oct. 27, 2023, will be granted an automatic extension of up to 540 days if their EAD expires before the renewal application is processed.
The automatic extension generally will end upon notification of a final decision on the renewal application or the end of the up to 540-day period (meaning, up to 540 days after the expiration date on the applicant’s facially expired EAD), whichever comes earlier.
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Individuals seeking legal assistance are encouraged to seek a reputable immigration attorney for a consultation.
Not sure where to go?
Call our SFC line (707) 856-4988 for a referral to a legal service provider.
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Take a Break with our Recipe of the Month:
Bobó de Camarão (Brazilian Shrimp Stew)
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Continuing with the traditionl of eating hot soups on summer days, this month's recipe is Brazil's Bobó de Camarão (or shrimp stew). This meal is considered iconic to the Bahia region and is said to be influenced by its Afro-brazilian culture. Served with rice (and your favorite iced beverage), this tropical meal is sure to add a little more sunshine to your day!
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Ingredients
Prep and Cook Time: 1 hr 30 minutes
Serves 6 people
- 2lb cleaned medium shrimp
- 1 lemon, cut in half
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 minced garlic clove
- salt to taste
Ingredients for the sauce:
- 3 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups boiled and squeezed cassava tea
- 2 cups coconut milk tea
- 2 peeled and seeded tomatoes, chopped
- 4 tablespoons parsley
- 8-9 cups water
- 3 tbsp salsa de pato (yellow can) or chicken bouillon
- Handful of cilantro (have extra for garnish)
- Cooking oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Dried crushed chile de arbol
Let’s Get Cooking!
- Season the shrimp with juice from half a lemon, garlic and salt.
- In a pan, heat the oil and sauté the shrimp very quickly.
- To make the cassava tea, you will need a pressure cooker and cook the cassava over low heat until it's soft (or about 20 minutes). Once it has cooled enough to touch, knead and set aside.
- In a pan, add oil, garlic, onion and let it sauté.
- Add the cassava, coconut milk, tomato and parsley. Mix well in between ingredients.
- Add the shrimp little by little and mix well. Cook until the shrimp is done but not overcooked! (One way to tell is to look at the shape of the shrimp. If its tail curls to its head, then it has been cooked too long).
- Serve with white rice.
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Updates from Our Partners
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The Clinic remains open for “remote” client consultation. Attorney Jacqueline Brown Scott maintains frequent communication with all clients and continues to update them on COVID-19 as it pertains to their case and its ramifications such as court date postponement. USF remains available for over-the-phone consultations.
For more information, please call (415) 422-3330.
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Corazon Healdsburg focuses on building a compassionate and just community by empowering and dignifying individuals and families, advocating against injustices, and uniting people to celebrate diversity.
Through the Collaborative's partnership, they will provide removal defense representation to Sonoma County residents.
For more information, please call 707-395-0938.
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The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) helps immigrants, refugees, and their families join and contribute to the community. IIBA provides high-quality immigration legal services, education, and civic engagement opportunities.
They will be able to provide affirmative legal services (such as family petitions and DACA) to residents in Sonoma County.
For more information, please call 707-266-1568.
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Catholic Charities provides over 3,000 legal services to immigrants across Northern California each year. With 10 Department of Justice-accredited counselors on staff, clients know the services they receive will help them accomplish their goals safely and legally. Services include: Family-Based Petitions, DACA, Citizenship/Naturalization, Green Card renewals, VAWA (including U Visa and T Visa), and more.
For more information, please call (707) 528-8712.
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