The son of an immigrant mother and a graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law, he once helped his mom, who emigrated from Panama, become a citizen. “I received something of a reckoning or a wakeup call to go into immigration law largely because of my own family’s experience,” he stated.  

In addition to his personal law practice of two decades, for the last four years, he has advised clients through Catholic Charities’ immigration clinic at Saint Leo Parish’s marketplace in San José, making a difference in the lives of countless people seeking legal status.1

A Call to Accompaniment

Raul's clients have ranged from those he has known personally for years to those he now meets at Saint Leo. “I was my kids’ Little League coach, and years later, some of their teammates came to me as adults and asked for help in immigrating their spouses,” he shared. “A son of a law school classmate also came to me and asked me to help his spouse immigrate to the U.S.”

Raul’s time volunteering with Catholic Charities has deepened his awareness that “the work is constant and never ends.” Recently, new federal policies have created unprecedented challenges to immigration, which has heightened his own sense of his call to accompaniment. He summarized the current situation:

“Now we are seeing hard-working folks applying for permanent residence status being told that it is really a form of ‘extraordinary relief’ and that they need to return to their country and apply for an immigrant visa at the US consulate or embassy. This is a problem for many people who are applying to adjust their residency status while working to support their families. How can we tell them to withdraw their application, leave the country?” He remarked, “This is the chaos that we live in. But I don't look away.”

Understanding the Situation

On May 21, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum that may require Green Card applicants to leave the country to begin the application process anew. This is contrary to historical policies that have allowed workers established here to adjust their status. Even were they to leave, attaining a Green Card may now include other unprecedented obstacles such as whether they qualify for ‘extraordinary relief.’2 Reapplying abroad is also problematic for many reasons, including the risk of being barred from the U.S. for a decade, and years-long foreign wait times for immigrant visas.

Following the release of the memo, the Department of Homeland Security attempted to clarify that applicants will not have to leave the country and reiterated that immigration officers ultimately have discretion over cases. But confusion remains about what ‘extraordinary relief’ means. At the same time, across the Bay Area there have been reports about many being detained at immigration appointments and then sent to detention centers.

There is an emerging hope, however. Raul explained, “The saving grace here is that new legal action is taking place against these policies. Hopefully, we're going to see litigation at the federal level, probably in the very near future.”

On the Ground in Silicon Valley

Raul recommends that those seeking to adjust their residency status contact local non-profits who can provide reputable services. “It's going to be imperative to people that they sit down with professionals, either from a nonprofit or a qualified attorney. Access to these resources can make a real difference and foster hope during uncertain times."

On the ground, he shared, “We are seeing those needing to adjust their status afraid to pursue an immigration application for fear of detention, fear of being put in removal proceedings, fear of being deported eventually.” Once in removal proceedings, it is very difficult to win a case.

Raul also cautions against seeking immigration help from people or websites that promise a fast and easy path to citizenship, as these may be scams.  From experience, he noted how these journeys require a long-term commitment: “In a lot of these cases, you are connected with clients for years. It hurts when it does not go well. But there is also the joy of people getting Green Cards and becoming citizens after so many years. This is what makes me happy.”

A Mother’s Impact

Ray traces the root of his commitment to his parents, particularly his mother and late mother-in-law. He mused, “I know they are looking down and would be proud because of the work that I am doing.”

His mom, Juanita Ray, was a Eucharist Minister at Most Holy Trinity.  “She was really loved.” Raul reminisced, “My mom went through a lot, as well as my dad, and they put my siblings and me in a position to be able to reach our goals and become productive members of our community.”

Raul’s ministry comes within a full-circle moment of his faith. He explained, “One of the ladies who served with my mom as Eucharistic Minister now runs the marketplace of Saint Leo's where I volunteer. She remembered my mom,” he shared with pride.

Raul approaches his work with passion, “What I believe and what I do comes from what my mother did for the Church and the education that I received,” he said.  “I don't look away. My faith is what's driving me: not harming people, doing the right thing, having empathy and compassion, fighting for justice, for what is right.”is an immigration attorney and a volunteer for Catholic Charities.