Interns boost immigration services at local nonprofit

In 1939, the 11 founders of the American Civic Association (ACA) elected officers and a board of directors, formally establishing the organization in central Binghamton. Today, the ACA remains dedicated to the founders’ mission of helping immigrants and refugees integrate into the local community while preserving and fostering an appreciation of their diverse cultural heritages. The range of services the ACA offers is extensive, notably including immigration services, citizenship classes and law clinics.

Alexandra Moore, professor of English, general literature and rhetoric and co-director of the Human Rights Institute (HRI) — which works to advance research, teaching and community engagement in human rights — first pursued a collaboration with the ACA in 2019 as a way to expand student-community engagement experiences while addressing important human rights issues. The partnership initially resulted in the development of a summer immigration internship program.

Thanks to grants from the Stephen David Ross University and Community Projects Fund awarded to the ACA and HRI in 2019 and 2022, the immigration internship has evolved to a year-round opportunity, overseen by the newly created position of HCA deputy director, who trains and supervises the interns.

Leticia Fabene, a senior majoring in psychology and enrolled in the accelerated/4+1 Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, is one of seven Binghamton University immigration interns at the ACA. Fabene assists clients with filling out documentation and forms, and recently worked alongside Hussein Adams, the executive director of the ACA, to assist a large family from Afghanistan seeking refugee status.

“The immigration process is extensive,” Adams said. “Those helping with the process must not only have knowledge and understanding of the laws; they must also have empathy and understanding toward the individuals and families we serve.”

The work is personal for Fabene, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Brazil. She is pursuing a minor in immigration studies with the ultimate goal of becoming an immigration lawyer.

“The ACA has been a great place to intern,” Fabene said, “because the staff works to give interns experiences that will set them up for success in their future endeavors.”

Since July 2022, University interns have assisted the ACA in sending 76 applications to the federal government on behalf of clients to help them achieve legal status, enrolled 67 individuals in citizenship preparation classes and assisted in the planning and implementation of eight community building events, including a Refugee Welcome Dinner, Hispanic Heritage Night and Lunar New Year celebration.

Established in 1998, the Ross Fund is administered through the Binghamton University Center for Civic Engagement with the goal of fostering effective working partnerships between Binghamton University and the community. The fund has awarded more than $343,000 to support 53 University-community partnerships focusing on all aspects of community life from local schools and government agencies to nonprofits and community health.

The 2023 grant cycle seeks to disperse approximately $26,000, with applications due Tuesday, April 4. Potential candidates should visit the Ross Fund website for more information and to apply.

Binghamton University is dedicated to the advancement of social justice for all individuals and populations. To that end, a number of institutes and centers have been established to promote research, ideas, communication and critical discourse in areas including human rights; equality for women and girls; and global health, progressive education and well-being for marginalized populations.

Each of these institutes and centers has a specific focus, yet they all exist to raise awareness of issues of historical, systemic injustices, and to explore ways to rise above these injustices to the benefit of the world’s underrepresented.