Hager, who came to the U.S. as a refugee from the Syrian civil war, is pleased to raise her three daughters here.

The ongoing Syrian civil war has driven over 180,000 migrants from Syria to seek refuge in the U. S. since the outbreak of violence in 2011. Hager (a pseudonym) and her family were among these refugees. Hager is one of the first Syrian clients served by Northern Illinois Justice For Our Neighbors, which provides affordable, high-quality legal assistance for immigrants.

When the war began, Hager and her family made the difficult decision to move to the U.S. Although the family contemplated going back to Syria, Hager knew that they would have no home to return to. Instead, she began her search for asylum in the U.S.

Hager and her three daughters found themselves in a refugee camp in the state of Georgia. She began by applying for asylum in Atlanta and Savannah, but both requests were rejected. An employee working at the refugee camp took notice of Hager’s situation and directed her to help in Chicago. When they arrived in Illinois, Hager and her daughters stayed at a shelter in Evanston for close to two weeks.

Eventually, Hager contacted NIJFON Attorney Jenny Grobelski for help with applying for asylum. Jenny first spoke to Hager over the phone and asked to meet her in person.  

On her way to meet Jenny, Hager recalls feeling afraid because she had no papers. She had three daughters to care for, but no job or documentation, because her visa had expired. In her search for a place to rent, Hager found that landlords would not lease to her because she had no paperwork. Jenny would have to work quicky because Hager was close to the one-year limit to apply for asylum. Hager was in a precarious situation.

However, Hager’s feelings changed once she met Jenny in person. From their first meeting, she experienced Jenny as a kind person. Jenny cared about Hager’s life and offered her help that far exceeded Hager’s expectations. Jenny even reminded Hager of one of her daughters. Hager came to appreciate Jenny’s presence, such as when Jenny accompanied Hager to her legal appointments.  

Jenny recalls of Hager’s asylum interview, “As the officer was walking us out to the hallway after the interview was over, she leaned over to me and said, ‘I like your client’s style,’ meaning that she liked Hager’s attitude and that she had a lot of fight in her, despite her terrible circumstances. I’ve never had an immigration officer or judge so candidly and off the record root for one of our clients. Everyone she comes across just pulls for her; she has that effect on people.”  

Indeed, people rallied around Hager. The doctor in Chicago whom the refugee camp employee referred Hager took Hager and her three daughters into her home. Hager expresses immense gratitude to that family, who gave her much-needed assistance and a place to stay.  

Hager moved into the city as she awaited a response from Jenny about her asylum case. Hager could feel the pressure of her current status and awaited asylum with anticipation as she continued to reach out to Jenny for updates on her case. Finally, Jenny called Hager to tell her the good news: Hager received asylum! Gaining asylum made Hager made her feel like she was aleady a citizen.

Meanwhile, friends and kind strangers around Hager continued to offer the family support. Jenny helped Hager with another important step by helping Hager get a work permit. Before that, Hager felt like she was imprisoned as she would only leave the house to shop for groceries or walk.  

The work permit made her feel freer and provided her more security. She felt like she “could do anything.” Hager’s neighbor helped her apply for a job. Hager learned how to drive and received her driver’s license. Although Hager began studying English for two months, she says she learned the most English at work through speaking with customers. Her job began to feel easier because she formed connections with others. Today, Hager works at a senior home with her oldest daughter, Sara.

Finally, in 2017, Hager received her green card—her permanent residency identification. Today, Hager expresses her love for the people around her. She says she does not do her work for compensation but rather for the fulfillment she receives when she gives back. Although everything around her seemed new and scary when she arrived, today she feels happy to learn about her neighbors and their cultures and customs. Jenny’s diligent dedication to Hager’s case culminated in 2022 when Hager became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

When asked what is next for her, Hager says she wants to relax. Her journey has empowered her to be proud of herself. She feels like a strong woman who is happy that she does not need a husband to succeed and affirms that the U.S. has brought her relief and options for what she wants to become.  

Here in the U.S., she says, she has the opportunity to be the best person she can be.  “If you want to be a good person, this country will support you. I can live an honest life here,” she says.  

Hager is grateful to NIJFON and describes the organization as full of warm people.  “NIJFON takes care of me like family,” she says. “I feel like a family member.”

As an organization that benefits from the ongoing Bishop’s Appeal for Migrant Needs, NIJFON offers high-quality free immigration services to clients in the cities of Chicago, Rockford, Buffalo Grove, Aurora, and Crystal Lake, Illinois. Hager was one of NIJFON’s first Syrian clients, so she has a long personal history with the organization. The Bishop’s Appeal allows NIJFON to continue supporting clients throughout years of immigration issues, such as in Hager’s case. Gifts to the Bishop’s Appeal directly help migrants like Hager. The fund continues to accept donations until December 31, 2023.

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