News & Stories

When Nabila stepped up to the microphone at AsylumWorks’ International Women’s Day celebration, she wasn’t just giving a speech–she was reclaiming her voice. Back in Afghanistan, Nabila had built a life around amplifying women’s rights. As a journalist and activist, she advocated for education, employment, and freedom–until the Taliban takeover put her life in danger. […]

“We Afghan women are strong. We will never give up!” proclaimed Nabila to a room filled with 85 guests at AsylumWorks’ International Women’s Day celebration on March 10, 2025. Purple flowers greeted guests at the door, while Afghan songs created a colorful backdrop in the evening. With the event falling during Ramadan, guests broke their fast […]

Pain shot through Nadia’s body as she curled up in bed, too afraid to seek help. With no insurance and mounting emergency room bills, she feared one more hospital trip would plunge her into debt she could never repay. But the pain grew unbearable.  This was life for Nadia three years after fleeing Egypt and […]

The mountains of Afghanistan faded into the distance as Younis’s evacuation flight climbed above Kabul, leaving behind the only home he had ever known. At 36, he was a husband, father of five, and a man who had risked everything serving alongside American forces. For over a decade, he had worked as an interpreter, believing […]

After three years of fear, transience, and uncertainty, Reza—a newcomer from Afghanistan—received the message that changed everything. On January 14, 2025, he learned he had been granted asylum in the United States.  Reza’s journey to safety spanned ten countries, traveling by foot, car, and train before finally reaching Woodbridge, Virginia. At his most vulnerable, he […]

“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 […]

Some moments in life taste sweeter when shared with others–births, graduations, weddings. Milestones like these are meant for community celebration. The legal wins we honored at Together Rising: Celebrating Legal Wins are no different. On October 19, 2024, clients, staff, and supporters gathered to celebrate over 20 newcomers who reached life-changing milestones–securing asylum, reuniting with […]

Finding a job is challenging for anyone, but especially for newcomers with disabilities like Abeba*. A blind client from Eritrea, Abeba once led an organization advocating for women with disabilities. Now in the U.S., her immigration status makes her ineligible for mainstream employment services, further complicating her transition into the workforce. After searching online for […]