My name is Maryam Naqvi, I’m a Nurse Practitioner at Harlem United’s community health center.
About a year ago I met Ola*, an asylum seeker receiving care at Harlem United. I’ve been her primary care provider for all that time, but this fall, I had an opportunity to do even more to support her health. And this Pride, I can’t stop thinking about her and her story.
Almost a decade ago, Ola fled her friends, family and everything she knew to seek asylum in the United States for safety concerns. This was her only option for survival. Why? Because she endured persecution due to her sexual orientation.
When she informed me that she was preparing to appear before a judge to seek asylum, I immediately asked how I could offer support. She asked me to write a supportive medical document to bolster her case. Securing asylum would provide her with stability and a route to citizenship, ensuring she would never have to face the dangers she would be faced with if she were to return home. For Ola, returning was not an option.
Medical Providers with the appropriate training can provide patients with medical affidavits that can be presented along with their case to a judge for review. And at Harlem United, we have expertise in assisting patients with just that.
Using a trauma-informed approach, we worked together for hours to complete an extensive evaluation. With her bravery and commitment, we were able to provide a comprehensive medical document to support her in her asylum case.
A few weeks ago, Ola shared the wonderful news – her asylum application had been approved! She was now safe from the threat of being compelled to return to her home country. She was given a green card with pathway to citizenship in the United Statess.
This Pride, we are holding in our hearts everyone whose safety is compromised by prejudice. I am overjoyed that Ola can feel safer in New York, but too many people are living with instability, threats, and fear this Pride. We can and we must do more.
The specifics of Ola’s story are unique, but the underlying principles are common to all our work at Harlem United. To be healthy, you need to be safe, secure, and free to live your life authentically. At Harlem United, this is what we do.
*The patient’s name or any identifying information has been changed to protect her privacy.
