Jesuit Volunteer Corps

alumni feature, immigration and refugee services

FJV Accompanies Immigrant Children During Legal Process

By Stephanie Lubert, esq.

(Houston 2008-09)

Stephanie Lubert, esq (Houston 2008-09) headshot

I am currently an attorney with HIAS Pennsylvania where I represent unaccompanied Central American children fleeing unimaginable violence in their home countries. I landed on this career path largely because of JVC. It was through my time as a JV at the St. Frances Cabrini Center in Houston that I first witnessed the injustices of our broken immigration system and how lawyers could be warriors for social justice.

My JV house patron, Rutilio Grande, SJ, famously said, “The Gospel has to grow little feet.” I learned from JVC that spirituality and social justice go hand in hand: I see my work not simply as a job, but rather as my faith in action.

And as current events make the fight for immigrant justice an uphill battle, it’s this faith-centered approach to my work that sustains me. While winning a case is amazing, I measure my professional success on my ability to show compassion, treat clients with dignity, and empower clients to share their stories. My goal as an advocate is to make my clients feel human and not like just a statistic. Regardless of the legal outcome, I feel my day has been a success when a child leaves my office knowing that their story matters and that they are not alone in this fight.

Artwork given as a thank you to FJV who helped with their immigration cases.
Artwork given as a thank you to FJV who helped with their immigration cases.
Artwork hanging in FJV Stephanie Lubert's (Houston 2008-09) office.
Artwork hanging in FJV Stephanie Lubert's (Houston 2008-09) office.

STORIES

  • Capturing artwork in Tacna, Peru during the migrant crisis (2019).

    international service, tacna peru, immigration and refugee services, volunteer stories

    “Political instability around the world is causing people to flee their homeland and my country of service, Tacna, Peru is dealing with its own migrant crisis. I’m incredibly blessed to work with such a dedicated group of people. It seems that no matter how difficult the situation, they know just exactly what to do.”

    Read about Catherine's JV experience at the Peruvian border
  • Izzy Shahmirza (Kansas City 2019-20)

    volunteer stories, domestic service, immigration and refugee services

    My family background is the foundation for my identity as a migrant advocate. My Jesuit Volunteer role at Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund is imposing upon me the necessity to act and empower others to take action through a realm of social justice.

    Learn more about Izzy's role in migrant justice work
  • Hands held in prayer

    agency feature, legal services, immigration and refugee services, volunteer stories, domestic service

    "The other staff at our office rely on the Jesuit Volunteer to provide compassionate and competent services to our clients."

    LEARN MORE ABOUT BRIANA'S IMPACT
  • Lawyer and FJV Shannon Johnson Guerisoli (Phoenix 2009-10)

    alumni feature, immigration and refugee services

    "JVC’s values continue to provide an integral guide for me to navigate the tumultuous waters of immigration detention and asylum law."

    LEARN MORE ABOUT SHANNON'S WORK IN IMMIGRATION ADVOCACY
  • Stephanie Lubert, esq (Houston 2008-09) headshot

    alumni feature, immigration and refugee services

    I learned from JVC that spirituality and social justice go hand in hand: I see my work not simply as a job, but rather as my faith in action.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT STEPHANIE'S WORK WITH UNACCOMPANIED MINORS