Everything you ever and never wanted to know about immigration

Written by Cheryl Berlin

I’ve known Ruby Robinson for years, and I was aware that he is the lead immigration attorney for a non-profit in Detroit. As the country’s immigration enforcement has changed – and especially so since the start of Trump 2.0 – I could only imagine how hard Ruby and his colleagues work to provide free legal services to immigrants. After hearing Ruby speak about “Everything you ever and never wanted to know about the current state of U.S. immigration”, I have all the more respect.

Ruby detailed the legal processes for immigrants to live in the United States. It’s very complicated, and the hoops people need to jump through have become extremely contorted over the last few years. Many regulations and processes are lengthy, expensive, simply impossible to overcome. Some immigrants give up and return to their home countries, while others are shipped off to one of six countries in the world that will accept them, regardless of whether they’ve ever lived there, speak the language, or know a soul.

Ruby’s talk brought focus to the stories I read in the news every day. Those of us who have immigrant parents, grandparents or other ancestors are thankful they were able to become U.S. citizens, improving their lives and ours. I believe in due process and understand that not every person seeking citizenship meets the guidelines, but the recent manipulation of the system is simply inhumane.

All the credit goes to Ruby and the others at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center for their important work. Many thanks to Team Alex for the opportunity to be better informed. 

 Cheryl

Ruby Robinson