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Lucas' Story

"I want to be free to work and raise a family"

     Lucas* has always been a hard worker. He was 10 when he came to the United States with his parents in 2001. He worked alongside his parents in the potato fields of Idaho while studying to graduate from high school.

     After graduation, a cruel reality dawned on Lucas. He wasn’t legal to work. He encountered one unsavory figure after another promising to solve his immigration status. They took his money but didn’t help him.
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​     Our Immigration Manager Cynthia Sibrian recently told me this story about Lucas. He was so hopeful when someone referred him to Catholic Charities of Idaho. “Knowing someone could actually help and not take advantage of me – I’m really thankful for that.”

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     In my 29 years with Catholic Charities, I’ve never thought of our
mission quite like that. But when you think about it, when you really need help, you must ask yourself: “Who cares about me? Who can I trust? Who will consider my interests and not their own?”

     In 2014, Catholic Charities of Idaho helped Lucas obtain a special, temporary work permit for immigrants who were brought to the US when they were children. 

     Because of you, we were able to help Lucas. But the demand for legal immigration services is higher than ever. Please consider supporting our efforts today.

     Idaho has over three thousand people like Lucas, dependable members of our community who maintain steady, but uncertain long-term employment because of special work permits.     
     Then in 2015, Lucas married his high school sweetheart, an American citizen, who immediately urged him to petition for permanent residency and eventually to become an American citizen. But private attorneys are expensive, and cheap legal help may not be reliable. Worse yet, we have hundreds of bad actors in Idaho who prey upon people like Lucas by misrepresenting our laws and creating fear in order to sell fraudulent services. These “attorneys” make outrageous claims and promises, steal from their clients, and create risk that may end in deportation.​

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     With constant fear and misinformation everywhere, where could Lucas turn for help? I’ll give you a hint: exactly where he had before.
The heart of Catholic Charities of Idaho is one of pure service. Service means seeing the humanity in each person and putting their best interests first.
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     And we are honored to serve with YOU in a mission of love. Thank you for your gift today.

     Because of supporters like you, Catholic Charities was able to help Lucas when he needed us, first over 10 years ago and now when he looked past the forces of fraud and fear to find his dream. Like thousands of Idahoans do every year who come to Catholic Charities.

​     “I love this country and the opportunity it has provided to me and my family.”

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     A big day for Lucas! On July 27, 2023, thanks to your support and the work of our CCI Immigration Team, Lucas became a lawful permanent resident of the United States. After twenty years of waiting, Lucas claimed a stable future for himself, his wife, and family. He now dreams of having his own farm one day.

     As one of our cherished supporters, YOU make possible the ministries and services of Catholic Charities in a time of mistrust and uncertainty, helping our brothers and sisters in need find security and hope.

     Your gift of $905.00 today would pay for full representation for one client like Lucas. $215.00 would provide a critically needed consultation service. Where can anyone get legal support for that price? Any amount: $100, $50 or $25 will go a long way to serve Idahoans in need.

Thank you!

​Sincerely,

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​Douglas S. Alles
Executive Director

​P​S Often our work serving others takes time and patience as in the case with Lucas. Thank you for your support today and for bringing the light of God’s love that is so desperately needed by all of us!

PPS Pope Francis asks us “to implore Saint Joseph the Worker to help us find ways to express our firm conviction that no person, no family should be without work.”

Please send your gift today!

*Not his real name

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