Think Immigration: The Spiritual Dimension of the Immigration Journey

Immigration practice is unique in that it demands not only legal expertise, but emotional endurance from both client and counsel. Beyond the filings and deadlines lies a shared experience of waiting, uncertainty, and hope that shapes the journey in ways the law alone cannot define.

Notably, behind every immigrant’s journey of migration, there is a spiritual lesson and/or awakening. When people think about immigration, they often picture forms, evidence, deadlines, and legal jargon. But anyone who has lived through the process knows that it’s also an internal journey—one that demands patience, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose.

Before continuing, it is worth addressing the concept of “why,” a question that so many immigrants (and their attorneys) grapple with during this often prolonged process.

Imagine yourself as an immigrant (if you are not one already). You file for a new status or a change of status. The application is submitted for review, and then it remains pending for months, sometimes years. A timeline you did not anticipate becomes your reality. You are forced to live in uncertainty, whether still in your home country or already in the United States, unsure of what the future holds while your application remains unresolved.

As time passes, the questions begin. Why is it taking so long? Why has there been no response? Did my attorney make a mistake? Why am I struggling so much to obtain this benefit?

When a response finally arrives and it does not say “approved,” the question of “why” returns, and often with greater force. Whether the agency requests additional evidence or issues a denial with limited explanation, uncertainty deepens.

What may not be apparent in that moment is that this is often when a spiritual lesson and/or awakening begins.

Behind every approved or denied petition is someone who had to believe in a future they could not yet see. There are moments of doubt, frustration, and uncertainty, but also moments of clarity, gratitude, and growth. Immigration has a way of forcing both the client and the attorney to confront who they are, what they value, and why they continue to advocate or persevere.

For many, this process becomes a spiritual journey—not in a religious sense, but in the way it shapes perspective, strengthens character, and expands one’s capacity to endure uncertainty. It teaches humility and perseverance, and it reminds us that dreams are nonlinear, yet still worth pursuing.

The immigration journey can teach us that silence is not empty, and that not every question requires an answer to be meaningful. In releasing the need to understand everything, one may find patience and a quiet guidance that emerges when we learn to listen.

Despite the instinct to search endlessly for the “why,” it is often not in our best interest to do so. What may initially appear as a loss can later reveal itself as redirection. And, often, the true value of the journey lies not solely in the outcome, but in the lessons gained along the way.

If you’re an immigration attorney or paralegal coping with uncertainty and in search of tools to help you build resilience and discover a deeper meaning in your work, check out AILA’s Well-Being Center for articles, OnDemand training, and short meditations for quick relief. Not yet an AILA member or an AILA Affiliated Paralegal? Learn whether you’re eligible and apply so you can access well-being resources and much more.