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MAP Testimonials

AILA Doc. No. 19020538 | Dated January 7, 2020

Read testimonials from service members and their families, as well as MAP volunteer attorneys.

SERVICE MEMBERS

Albert N.

"I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the AILA MAP program and the attorneys that volunteer their time and effort to help military members and their families. Having faced processing delays for two years after applying for naturalization in the summer of 2017, I had almost given up all hope. I reached out to AILA MAP and was matched with an attorney who had intricate knowledge on the complexities of military service and immigration. [My AILA MAP Attorney] helped me prepare for my interview and even attended my interview. I felt so much relief and confidence having [My AILA MAP Attorney] by my side and was finally able to naturalize as a US citizen. My family and I can now go on with our daily routines knowing we have people on our side that care about the well-being of service members and their families."

—Albert N.

Emmanuel A.

"It is a dream come true. Words cannot express our innermost gratitude to (my MAP attorney) for their coordination and effort to make my wife joining me a reality…their response to us and assistance was top notch. A million stars for good work. From the gathering of all needed information, documents and various emails to the State Department and Ghana…they are a subject matter expert in their field, and they did all that they could to make this happen. I blessed the Lord for allowing them to pick our case and bring joy to my home. I hope this program continues to exist to help my fellow petitioners who would like to bring their love ones into the country…To those who make this program available for us, a big thank you to you all. Look at our faces and see the happiness you have brought in our home. Thank you."

—Emmanuel A.

Tounde D.

“I am currently serving as a CBRN Specialist in the US Army Reserve. I joined the military through Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) based on my particular skills. Due to policy changes related to MAVNI, I was stuck in immigration limbo. I heard about MAP on Facebook and requested assistance. I was eventually assigned to [My AILA MAP Attorney], a very recommendable attorney who took my case pro bono. She did not give up, helping me file several petitions to USCIS. I am thrilled to be a US Citizen now, and among the people I am truly grateful for getting me there, stand AILA through their Military Assistance Program. Their dedication to help service members are truly one of the reasons I am proud to serve the USA.”

—Tounde D.

VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS

Marino B.

"I was an enlisted infantry Marine and know the struggles that Marines face while on duty for their nation. I felt compelled to help my fellow brothers in arms with their legal immigration issues while they do their military service for our country. When I was in the Marines, our thought process was to always have each other's back regardless of what the conditions were. I feel that I need to watch my fellow brothers and sisters back while they fight for us in the front lines. MAP provides legal access to the service members. There are Marines that are worried about their family member's legal immigration status when they should be worrying about their duties to their fellow brothers in arms. When I start the case with the servicemembers I can sense that they have just taken a big gasp of air. I can hear it on their voices when I talk to them about starting their case. It is a sigh of relief for them. I have a Marine with over twenty years of experience waiting for over a year to bring his spouse to the U.S. In the meantime, his orders to fulfill his duties are placed on hold. Service members whom serve their nation whether high ranking or not should not be forced to wait over a year to bring their immediate relatives to the U.S. This is unacceptable.”

—Marino B.

Angela T.

"As a volunteer attorney with AILA Military Assistance Program, I feel as if I am fulfilling my JAG Corps dreams that never realized. I am a military veteran. I served five years in the US Army. Currently, I live 2 miles from my former duty station, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where I represent military service members and their families. These cases are challenging but rewarding. I have gained an education that I probably would not have experienced as a JAG officer. I enjoy volunteering with AILA MAP."

—Angela T.

Beth B.

“AILA made it easy to get involved. I signed up for the MAP listserv and when a case was posted that I thought I could help with, I took it. Then I took another. I’ve kept one or two active cases since then. The coordinators and other members of the MAP are an amazing resource and have been extremely helpful working through some difficult issues. Taking a MAP case is a great way for an attorney who does not have a personal connection to the military to learn a bit about the armed forces. I encourage everyone in AILA to take one case from the MAP list or work together with a colleague to help a military family. Ask the servicemember about their background and why they joined the armed forces, about their boot camp experience, where have they been deployed, what their position is, and where they have most enjoyed traveling. Servicemembers endure long separations from their loved ones and they are often in harm’s way. Help make their service a bit easier by smoothing the way for a military naturalization, a parole in place, an adjustment of status, or helping a servicemember who, because of PTS, has had legal issues that have caused complications for an immigration matter. Attorneys advise and counsel every day. Why not utilize these skills to make a meaningful impact that can change a servicemember’s life for the better? What a truly meaningful way to support our troops!”

—Beth B.

Cite as AILA Doc. No. 19020538.