Update on Rodnoel - Venezuelan Asylum-Seeker

Since October 2021, the St. Mary’s-Congregation Sherith Israel Nueva Esperanza Accompaniment Team (NEAT) has been working with a young asylum-seeker from Venezuela, Rodnoel (Noel) José Arangueren-Flores. A legally designated Humanitarian Parolee, Noel found employment within a week, has established many friendships, and has a lawyer providing pro bono counsel in his effort to receive asylum.

The goal of NEAT accompaniment is to help newly arrived migrants find the resources and negotiate the systems to establish independent and sustainable lives within three to six months. On May first, Noel moved into an independent apartment in San Raphael. He has a bank account, is applying for a driver’s license, is taking ESL classes, and is working two jobs. Our NEAT has now ended its official relationship with him, although we will continue to support his asylum claim and be with him during all legal proceedings.

Congratulations to Rodnoel on his remarkable work and success. And thank you, St. Mary’s for your contributions, gift cards, furniture, houseware, and all the other ways in which you have supported Noel and St. Mary’s migrant accompaniment work.