If you ask Cecy Jimenez-Weeast what keeps her up at night, she will answer without blinking an eye: “The urgent need for immigration reform,’ she says.
Ms. Jimenez-Weeast serves as Executive Director of the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which serves Princeton, Trenton and most of Mercer County. Her work is guided by her dedicated Board of Directors, led by Chairperson Pete Taft, and President Sasa Olessi Montano.
Cecy reports that everyone at LALDEF lost sleep when this year’s Presidential election included promises of mass deportation!
Born in El Salvador, Ms. Jimenez-Weeast has spent much of her personal life and professional career helping people achieve United States Citizenship and assimilate to their new lives here in New Jersey. She knows first-hand the fears associated with amplified rhetoric and the threat of drastically changing policies.
In the first 10 months of 2024, LALDEF provided the following:
- 369 free general immigration legal screenings
- 170 free naturalization eligibility screenings
- 58 Citizenship applications, achieving 34
Alejandra Ovalle, a student in LALDEF’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program shared that her desire to learn English helped her through the process. “My communication skills are better and the way I express myself. LALDEF made me feel welcome,” she said.
Another student, who did not wish to be named, expressed regret that it took him five years to understand how to obtain citizenship. “I am Dominican, and I arrived in 2017. I spoke basic English, but I had uncertainty, and I needed the confidence to obtain citizenship. LALDEF helped me with the documents…and actually accompanied me on the day of my interview. This gave me a lot of confidence as she sat with me and gave me tips, helping me pass the naturalization test and become a citizen!”
The Staff at LALDEF can attest that providing a welcoming environment to people in need of their help does not come easy. They rely heavily on support from volunteers and donors to sustain and strengthen the programs and services they provide. This assistance includes:
- Filing of applications for naturalizations and citizenship,
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA),
- Adjustment of status,
- Violence against Women (VAWA) provisions,
- U Visas for victims of crime,
- T visas for human trafficking victims,
- Renewals of green cards and work permits,
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS),
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and
- I.D. Cards.
Cecy says, “Everyday, we experience both the excitement — and angst — of children and families as they face the challenges that come with immigrating to a new country. That is why our access to healthcare and educational offerings are equally as important as our legal services. We would especially like to grow our FUTURO and FUTURO FAMILIA initiatives, which address the holistic needs of families and provide a forum for parents and caretakers of students.”
LALDEF’s FUTURO program is a shining star of the organization. It provides promising first- and second-generation immigrant high school students in the greater Mercer County area with opportunities for personal, academic, professional and wellness development. Last Summer,13 FUTURO students who graduated from their respective high schools were awarded merit-based scholarships and are currently attending college.
Said Ninennete S., a parent of a graduating senior from the FUTURO Class of 2024, “I am so grateful that my daughter made many changes in her student life. She became more interested in getting better grades and doing her best to qualify for universities.” (She was accepted by six!)
“If it weren’t for FUTURO, my journey wouldn’t have been the same,” added Alan C., a graduating senior of FUTURO. “FUTURO prepared me for college applications, life as a college student, and my future career goals.”
LALDEF’s long-time donors — some of whom have stood by the organization since its founding 20 years ago — say they support LALDEF because:
- manipulation and mistreatment of our most vulnerable neighbors are ongoing threats,
- increased knowledge of the English language decreases anxiety and breaks down barriers,
- acquisition of high school equivalency diplomas earn people jobs, and
- courses that help people pass the USCIS Citizenship Exam are life changing.
LALDEF believes families who understand the path to American Citizenship are happy families ready to be good citizens. That path is overly complicated at this moment in time, particularly from a political perspective.
If you are interested in learning more about how to benefit from or support LALDEF, you can learn more here. Readers are also invited to make an appointment to visit and see LALDEF’s programs in action.
Nancy Faherty is serving as the strategic planning consultant for the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF), whose mission is to promote the rights of all immigrants (with a focus on the Latin American community in the Mercer County area); facilitate access to health care, education and legal representation; advocate for the integration of immigrants; and foster intercultural communication to strengthen our communities.