by Catherine Ribnick and Glenn Engelmann
You may be wondering about the current status of the family, given that Temple Sinai’s one-year sponsorship was scheduled to terminate on January 31. Unfortunately, Noori continues to struggle to find meaningful employment, despite our providing him with intensive employment counseling and assistance in completing applications. We have learned that, appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, his English skills do not qualify him for the kind of employment he would like to secure. We have extended the lease on the family’s house until the end of the school year, by which time he will need to move to housing that is affordable on the income he does earn.
There is some good news, however. Noori will shortly have his “green card” interview, and, assuming no glitches, he and the rest of the family will be eligible for citizenship in due course. A big thank you is due to Stacy Brustin and Jocelyn Dyer and the student advocates at the CUA Immigration Clinic, who powered the Noori’s through the exceptionally bureaucratic and time-consuming process. Additionally, as reported by the indefatigable Linda Rosen, the children are doing well in school.