From Client to Legal Counsel: A Journey of Resilience

“Legal support is one of the most important needs of our clients,”  explains Awel A., AsylumWorks Legal Navigation Program Manager. 

Awel knows this firsthand. When he arrived in the U.S. in January 2020, he faced many of the same legal challenges that our clients face today. A lawyer back home in Ethiopia, Awel was passionate about providing legal services to marginalized communities. This work endangered his life, ultimately forcing him to flee to protect himself and his family members. Coming to the U.S. meant leaving behind his profession and his identity as an advocate. 

In May 2020, Awel connected with AsylumWorks as a client seeking support. He later became a Health & Wellness fellow, gaining hands-on experience working with clients as a therapeutic case manager. Over time, he transitioned to a full-time role in Health & Wellness before finding his true calling in AsylumWorks’ Legal Navigation program. Awel has worked hard to enhance the legal support available to our clients so they understand their rights and responsibilities and can successfully navigate through the U.S. immigration system. Today, his dedication has opened new doors. 

In November 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice approved Awel as an authorized Immigration Legal Advocate to provide limited-scope immigration legal services. This means Awel will be able to provide clients needing legal assistance with in-house legal consultations, apply for work permits, family reunification requests, and refugee travel documents, and offer other legal services to enhance the full representation provided by our legal partners. 

For Awel, this milestone is more than just a professional achievement—it’s deeply personal. After years of striving toward this goal, he is reconnecting with the passion that first inspired his career. “It was my dream to provide legal services to AsylumWorks clients,” shares Awel. “Now, my dream will come true.”