Nallaris Fanas
A Long and Winding Road
Nallaris Fanas is now a citizen of the United States, and she is very grateful to the Legal Aid Society and Brian Wang for helping her become one.
“They helped me a lot,” said Fanas, who is from the Dominican Republic. “I thought I was never going to make it, and he made everything possible for me.”
To hear Brian Wang and Marlene Morales tell the story, however, Nallaris Fanas is responsible. They just facilitated her success. Brian Wang focuses on immigration law and the Upstate New York Immigration Law Project. Marlene Morales works on housing issues. Nallaris Fanas’ case was out of the ordinary in a few ways. The first was the number of problems she was facing. “For her, a lot of factors that affect our clients’ lives sort of came together,” said Wang. These include domestic violence, single parenting, and a house fire in which she lost all of her documents. Equinox Domestic Violence Services referred
“For her, a lot of factors that affect our clients’ lives sort of came together,” said Wang. These include domestic violence, single parenting, and a house fire in which she lost all of her documents. Equinox Domestic Violence Services referred Fanas to LASNNY in the fall of 2012. Fanas was a lawful permanent resident but lost her green card in the fire. “You need that proof to show that you are of lawful status,” said Wang, explaining her Catch-22.
“You need that proof to show that you are of lawful status,” said Wang, explaining her Catch-22. Fanas had problems getting unemployment and applying for benefits for herself and her children. “When I reviewed her case, I informed her she was eligible to apply directly for citizenship,” said Wang.
“When I reviewed her case, I informed her she was eligible to apply directly for citizenship,” said Wang. Fanas had dreamed of becoming a citizen for years but thought she couldn’t do it because there is a $680 fee to apply, and this was way out of her reach. However, based on her income, she qualified for a waiver. “We helped her file the application,” said Wang. “She studied very hard, with the help of her children.” But the story doesn’t skip straight to a happy ending. In the process of straightening out her immigration status, Fanas faced an eviction notice. This is where Marlene Morales entered the picture. “She did everything she had to do. She’s very independent and proactive,” said Morales, who was impressed with her client’s resourcefulness. When facing issues paying her rent, she went to DSS and applied for assistance. “She needed more time.” said Morales. “My intervention was to try to get her enough time for the money to be exchanged. I had to do an order to show cause and reopen the case.” Morales was able to achieve that for
“She did everything she had to do. She’s very independent and proactive,” said Morales, who was impressed with her client’s resourcefulness. When facing issues paying her rent, she went to DSS and applied for assistance. “She needed more
“She needed more time.” said Morales. “My intervention was to try to get her enough time for the money to be exchanged. I had to do an order to show cause and reopen the case.” Morales was able to achieve that for Fanas, and the Department of Social Services paid the money that the landlord was owed. In the meantime, Fanas studied with her daughters for her citizenship interview.
In the meantime, Fanas studied with her daughters for her citizenship interview. Fanas said the work was hard, but she was inspired.
“I wanted to show them that everything is possible if you work hard,” Fanas said of the example she wanted to give her girls. The experience helped her understand the sacrifices her own parents made in raising her.
“I think what stood out to me is she really rose to the occasion,” Wang said of his client. “All along she doubted herself, so it was really a pretty amazing sight to see her passing the exam.” As a citizen, more doors are open to Fanas. She is eligible to vote, and to apply for certain jobs.
These facts help her feel more a part of this country. Citizenship also lends another kind of security. When she was being abused she was afraid to seek help from the police. This kind of misinformation is common, Wang said. People think that if you’re not a citizen, the police won’t help you.
Fanas has many kind words for her lawyers, and for the Legal Aid Society. “He was patient, he was lovely,” she said. She tells everyone about Legal Aid, and three people she referred have already gone for services. “Even on the phone they talk to people like they know the people for a long time. They are very, very nice.”
I wanted to show them that everything is possible if you work hard,” Fanas said of the example she wanted to give her girls.
