Framingham Immigration Clinic Offers Clarity For Undocumented

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Immigration clinics through Framingham's Adult English as a Second Language (FAESL) program started in the fall of 2018 but are under the guidance of a new local attorney, with an inspiring story of his own. Antonio Massa Viana was Massachusetts' first known unauthorized immigrant to earn a law license back in 2014 and will be leading the program's clinics. While the clinics themselves may be new, the need for legal advice in Framingham's immigrant community is not. The clinics are not part of the FAESL program's mandate but the need was so prevalent that the directors and coordinators of the program decided to take action.

FAESL Director Kevin O'Connor said while the program has wanted to start immigration clinics for about 15 years, the clinics are still new and the FAESL team is figuring out what works best. "Right now, everyone's doing it pro-bono," he said, "It's just us asking people for something that's really needed and people donating the time to make it happen."

During the first round of clinics with attorney Jeff Goldman of Jewish Family Services, O'Connor said an incredible moment happened. "A woman came in with a binder full of immigration paperwork and they started to work their way through it," O'Conner said, just about all of the paperwork was unusable in helping her obtain legal status. It wasn't until she handed Goldman paperwork from the 90's that a path to a green card arose. "This woman had been living here since Clinton was president, under the radar, without access to a drivers license or recourse to the law for so many things — living in the shadows, looking over her shoulder in fear," O'Conner said, "Suddenly in one 20-minute meeting with Jeff Goldman, her life is completely changed. That was one of my best nights at work, ever."

FAESL had started the immigration clinics with Goldman from the Jewish Family Services but the timing and commute didn't quite work out. O'Connor said the organization is still very helpful and supportive of the clinics and program where they can be.

Viana started his journey as many of the FAESL students have, undocumented and with big dreams. He is now here legally and runs his own law firm in Framingham, making sure to dedicate time to pro-bono work to help the community. Viana has been silently helping FAESL in a number of ways, starting after the 2016 presidential election. "I did a big talk at the time of the election, when we switched presidents," Viana said, "Everyone was a little unsure of what was going on then." Before he came on as part of the clinics, Viana also offered trainings to teachers in FAESL on immigration basics and advising students to their rights.

Viana said his own personal story drives him to do the work he does. "I went through a lot growing up," Viana said, highlighting how he emigrated to the U.S. from Brazil with a single mother who didn't have many resources or help, "I can really relate to what people are going through."

The clinics are only open to FAESL students, but even that draws a sizable crowd. The FAESL program serves 850 students, many of which rushed to sign up for the clinics once a list was available. "Once we knew it was happening, the list filled up in a week," O'Connor said. Because there are so many students with varying issues and questions, the clinics are set up as quick consultation-type meetings. Students bring Viana an issue they're facing, or question they have, usually regarding status or documentation, and he tells them if there is a viable legal path they can take. "I think the best thing they can get out of this is they at least know where they stand," O'Connor said.

Viana held his first round of clinics in March and said he felt good about the advice he gave. "I felt like there was a path for each person I saw, days like that are really good," Viana said. But not all days bring such good news. The hardest days, Viana said, are the ones where he has to tell a client there is no legal path. "I've gotten better at dealing with it — when I first started practicing I would have to step into the bathroom to cry," he said, "I'll still sit side-by-side with the person and hold their hand."

Viana said he saw about 15 people at his first clinic and is booked through the next three, with a wait list of students to follow. Many of the people Viana sees in and out of his firm, have questions regarding recent entrance into the country and are asylees.

O'Connor and Viana both say the clinics are a step for many students in their journey to citizenship. Having the clinics at the FAESL facilities is incredibly important, so that students feel safe and comfortable enough to open up about issues they've been forced to hide for years. O'Connor said he plans on keeping the clinics to the size they are now, managing the FAESL students is a big enough task.

Viana said this work with the clinics fits right in with Framingham's history. "This has to do a lot with what you give to the community," Viana said, "Framingham is a town of strangers — they've welcomed all these immigrant groups over the years, I feel right at home."

ALSO READ:

Framingham To Draft 'Welcoming' Ordinance For Immigrants