What are the biggest needs you consistently see among CIRA’s clients?

The biggest ones would have to be rental assistance because rent is getting so expensive, and there aren’t many resources. Another big one is medical and dental care. Dental care, in particular, is seen as something only the rich can afford. I have 16- and 17-year-old clients from Guatemala and Honduras who have never seen a dentist before.

What has been the reaction from the people you work with to the recent flurry of anti-immigrant executive orders?

They’ve been scared. My clients ask, “Do I have to worry about going to work? About going to the store or the doctor?” It’s hard because I can’t tell them, “You’ll never run into immigration,” because we know that’s not a reality. The best thing we can do is prepare them – so if they do have any kind of contact with immigration, they know their rights and are as prepared as possible.

How has the political climate affected your work?

When I started in 2022, people were more at ease. They were willing to go to the doctor, to different organizations to ask for help. Since November, I’ve seen people become more afraid. Even those with asylum applications and work permits are scared to go to work because they fear immigration could stop them.

What do you think many of us continue to misunderstand about immigration?

The need. There isn’t much help out there. There’s also so much misinformation. People say immigrants don’t pay taxes, but they do. They buy things at stores, they pay rent, they contribute to the economy. The narrative about immigrants “taking advantage” of systems is just not true.

What is a recent success story that stands out to you?

For these families, anything is a success. I worked with two sisters in York who finally got their work permits. The older sister is now working and helping her parents pay rent. It’s not citizenship yet, but it’s a step. It gives them a sense of stability and takes financial pressure off their parents. Even helping a family find housing or get into a shelter while they work on their immigration case can be life-changing.