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A Long Awaited Reunion

The increasing flow of immigrants has significantly impacted the demand for legal assistance relating to immigration matters. Nene Tesija, ACC Immigration Specialist is all too familiar with the plight of many immigrants who face dangerous situations and are forced to cope with uncertain times in their life. Nene provides legal and immigration services to assist individuals and families with various immigration issues. Although her continuous arduous work provides many clients invaluable services, she is not always awarded instant gratification due to changing world politics and immigration laws. However some cases offer an overwhelmingly joyful ending, like that of Ali’s.

In March 2005, Ali, in desperation, came to Nene to petition on behalf of his little girl, Reem who he was forced to leave behind as he immigrated to the United States. ACC assisted him with the immigration petitions for his family. As he waited patiently for a response, the day finally arrived, or so he thought when everyone in his family was issued immigrant visas, except for his youngest daughter Reem. According to the Embassy, they could not process her papers because she was born after initial immigrant visas were filed. Since Ali is the only permanent resident holder, he could not afford to lose the family’s immigrant visas, and decided to leave Reem in the care of a neighbor and depart to the U.S. without her.

It took over a year, but with Nene’s diligent work, she successfully obtained humanitarian parole for Reem – a discretionary relief granted by the attorney general in rare circumstances when extreme hardship can be demonstrated. In April 2006, Reem was reunited with her family in Hamtramck.

“A client’s smile is worth all the hard work, it not only reflects what we do it also solidifies our commitment,” said Nene. “My reward is to greet Mr. Ali in our Hamtramck office when he no longer has tears in his eyes as he did each week, only smiles.”
For more information on ACC’s Immigration Program or for assistance, call 248-559-0960