When Tracy Harper, Immigration Attorney for Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services, first learned about Lemlem* and her children, the connection came in an unexpected way.
“The City of Denver offers client’s case management support, and they reached out to me,” Tracy explained. “When I asked them where we should meet the clients, they said, ‘Well actually, they’re living in one of your shelters.’”
That shelter was Samaritan House, Catholic Charities downtown shelter serving families, veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness since 1986. Tracy coordinated with the team there to meet Lemlem — a mother with four children – and discovered a family who had already endured years of displacement, uncertainty and waiting.
From Eritrea to Israel to the United States
“This family is from Eritrea,” Tracy shared. “They lived in a refugee camp in Israel — which is less common, but I’ve seen it before — for several years where they waited for the refugee applications to be processed.”
Lemlem’s four children were born in that refugee camp.
While living in Israel, the family began the long refugee screening process with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which then referred their case to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. They arrived in the United States in April 2024, first resettling in Missouri before making their way to Colorado.
But starting over — especially in a high-cost state like Colorado — proved incredibly difficult.
Tracy explained that refugee mothers with multiple children often face steep barriers: “It’s very common for our refugee moms, especially with multiple kids, to not be employed — not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t afford childcare.”
Without stable employment or housing, Lemlem eventually arrived at Samaritan House, seeking safety and a foundation for her children.
Meeting the Family at Samaritan House
Tracy met with Lemlem twice. “I had a rather long first consultation and it was just with mom. The kids were at school. And then I went back to take passport photos for the green card applications and met all of them… really smart, sweet kids.”
The children — four in total, ages two to eleven — quickly captured Tracy’s heart.
“They’re my favorite part of doing this work. Getting to know who they are and how they like school and… all of the things that kids talk about.”
Why They Fled
While Tracy avoids asking clients to relive traumatic experiences, she offered context based on her expertise:
“Eritrea and Ethiopia have been a mess since the 80s — that’s when they split and became two different countries. There’s a lot of tribal and ethnic conflict there. I do not tend to talk to my refugee clients about the sort of things they experienced… because I don’t like to retraumatize them. But my guess is that their family was part of a disfavored ethnic group that fled the country for that reason.”
Legal Support and a Path Toward Stability
Once refugees arrive in the U.S., the path to long-term stability begins with legal status.
“Once a refugee comes to the United States, after one year they are supposed to apply for a green card. Refugee status is what we call a quasi-permanent status… At one year they should apply for a green card — permanent status and a pathway to citizenship.”
Tracy has already filed Lemlem’s green card applications and recently received updates: “Their cases have started processing… the next step is a fingerprint appointment where they take pictures and do fingerprints and do a background check for her and all the kids.”
She is also working on a family reunification petition for Lemlem’s son who remains in Uganda. “I don’t know how they got separated, but with refugee status she has the opportunity to apply for children under 21 who are not married.”
Stability Through Wraparound Services
In addition to legal support, Tracy helped connect Lemlem to full refugee benefits, case management and Samaritan House resources:
“They’ve been connected to case management support as refugees should. “They were able to help her with transportation to get her kids to school… looking for employment… looking for housing — all of the things she needs.”
Tracy believes that initial connection made all the difference.
“I really do think that she just needed to get oriented. Getting connected to me just kind of got her on the pathway to figure out… ‘OK, these are the ways you become stable in Colorado.’”
Gratitude and Hope
When asked how Lemlem feels about receiving services, Tracy didn’t hesitate.
“She’s so incredibly grateful. Everyone is so thankful when they find an immigration attorney that is willing to help them no matter what.”
And for Tracy, this work is more than a job.
“Working with refugees is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done since I got my degree. It is so fun to meet people from other countries and to support them as they… become members of our society.”
To support Catholic Charities Immigration, you can make a gift at ccdenver.org/donate and select Immigration when donating. Your generosity directly supports life-changing work — helping serve more than 1,500 participants each year, processing 1,222 applications and maintaining a 94% approval rate. Your support makes a real difference supporting our neighbors in Colorado.
*Name changed for protection.