The 2024 recipient was Calypso Moschochoritis, a law student at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. 

​

Personal Essay on her experience as a Legal Immigration Intern at Ayuda.

​

Women and girls everywhere face legal issues unique to their gender. Ayuda provides specialized services tailored to address these needs, empowering women and girls to understand their rights and navigate the legal system effectively. As part of Ayuda’s holistic approach to legal immigration assistance, I played a role in breaking the barriers that women and girls face in accessing legal services. My work helped ensure they received legal representation and advice, which, in turn, empowered them, provided opportunities for their families, and strengthened their communities.

​

The District of Columbia has traditionally been a key destination for international migrants due to socio-economic opportunities, established chain migration networks, and its status as a “sanctuary city,” where law enforcement agencies are prohibited from reporting undocumented migrants to ICE. However, the large undocumented population, combined with new arrivals, has strained the capacity to provide essential services like shelter, housing, and legal aid. Despite a strong tradition of pro-bono legal services, access remains limited due to increased demand, language barriers, and the relative isolation of vulnerable migrants. Women and children, particularly those working in accommodation and food services, are among the most vulnerable, as these sectors often offer little to no social protection.

 

Working at Ayuda has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences I have had. As an immigrant myself, I have always been passionate about the topic of immigration, and interning at Ayuda solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in this field. While I was initially intimidated because I did not have a deep understanding of the legal technicalities of immigration, I quickly realized that I could apply much of what I had learned in my first year of law school to the job. At Ayuda, I had the privilege of working with an incredible team of legal professionals and immigration advocates. With the guidance and support of my supervisors, I was able to navigate the complexities of immigration cases and gain practical experience on the job. Each day presented new challenges, but with their help, I became more confident in my ability to assist clients. I was entrusted with projects involving asylum applications, U and T visas, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) petitions. It was a rewarding experience that expanded my skills and reinforced my commitment to helping vulnerable communities.

 

One of my first projects involved assisting a woman who fled her home country due to political persecution. Working with her to draft her asylum brief was an invaluable learning experience, as I gained deep insights into asylum law, particularly within the 4th Circuit, and the history and current events of her country of origin. Another case I worked on involved a pregnant woman who had been assaulted and was beginning the process of obtaining immigration status through a U visa. This case required extensive research to ensure that the involved police department would certify her U visa law enforcement certification. Additionally, I assisted a man seeking asylum due to the persecution he faced in his home country because of his sexual orientation. Interviewing him for his asylum declaration taught me invaluable skills, including how to ask sensitive questions and empathize while maintaining professionalism.

 

Thanks to my time at Ayuda, I had the incredible opportunity to attend hearings at both the Hyattsville Immigration Court and the Family Department of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. One of the most memorable moments was after an individual hearing at the Immigration Court, when the immigration judge stayed behind to allow interns to ask questions. The government attorney also took the time to answer our questions, offering valuable insights from their perspective. The judge expressed how happy she was to see that all the interns present were women, adding that she was proud of the growing female representation in the legal field. This experience showed me that while the legal process is adversarial by nature, it is also deeply human. The willingness of both the judge and the attorney to engage with us demonstrated the compassion and dedication that exists within the system, even in high stakes environments like immigration court.

​

Working at Ayuda was emotionally taxing. The horrors my clients experienced in their home countries, and what some continued to endure in the United States, were unthinkable. I had to learn how to compartmentalize my emotions so that I would not carry the weight of their stories home with me. My supervisors were an incredible resource in this respect. They taught me that it is only human to feel those emotions and that, with time and reflection, I would be able to empower my clients without emotionally burdening myself.

On the other hand, I also recognized the incredible strength my clients displayed. Travelling through numerous countries for months to arrive in an unfamiliar place, starting life over while leaving most of their families behind, is both physically and emotionally draining. Although Ayuda and many other organizations provide invaluable help to new arrivals, more still needs to be done. Children who arrive in the United States alone are the most vulnerable. I learned this firsthand while working with a teenage boy who had to leave his home country because his mother could no longer care for both him and his sister.

​

After he arrived in the United States, immigration officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) apprehended him and later transferred him into the care and custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). ORR then released him into the care of a family member residing in the United States. Unfortunately, this relative never took care of him and forced him to work and pay rent. Thankfully, one of his coworkers recognized the situation and offered to take care of him. This person enrolled him in school and has since helped him pursue legal immigration status. Cases like this, where community members must step in to protect the most vulnerable, are all too common. It is crucial that government and community organizations ensure that everyone in the United States can live safely, especially when the government plays a role in where they end up.

​

I am deeply grateful to the Women’s Bar Association Foundation for offering me the Founders Fellowship. This opportunity allowed me to dedicate myself fully to the work at Ayuda without the financial burden that often accompanies unpaid internships. The fellowship not only supported my professional growth but also affirmed my commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. It is a privilege to be part of an organization that champions women in the law. This experience has solidified my desire to continue pursuing a career in immigration law, and I am excited to contribute to meaningful change in the future.