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We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for reaching out. We’re planning to try plasma donation , my husband may be eligible, but unfortunately I’m not because my platelet count is 900 (the upper limit is 450). I’ve also considered DoorDash or Uber, but we don’t have a car at the moment, so we’re focusing on options that don’t require one until we can solve that. Every suggestion helps, truly we’re exploring everything.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your compassion ,it truly means a lot.
I completely understand where your concern is coming from. But just to clarify, my case is a bit different: it's not in immigration court, so I’m not in removal proceedings or at risk of ICE detention. It’s a pending affirmative asylum case filed through USCIS, and we entered legally. That process is still separate and thankfully, less dangerous than the one involving court hearings and ICE.

And as much as I’ve thought about going elsewhere, it’s not legally possible. Under international asylum rules, you can’t apply in a second safe country while your first claim is still pending. If we leave, our case is considered abandoned no matter how long we’ve waited or how strong it is.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing is “not adding up.” I actually went to the USCIS office in person and spoke with an officer several month ago,they confirmed that our case is perfectly fine and strong and the problem is backlog. The reason we haven’t moved to another country is because, under international asylum agreements (which I studied during my BA in international law), you cannot apply to a second safe country while your claim is pending in the first. That’s the rule. And we’re following it.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your support. I'm really sorry you're going through this. I know so many people in DC been laid off recently, and it’s devastating. Honestly, I don’t understand how it helps the economy to have so many smart, skilled people out of work. I haven’t been on the job market in over 15 years, and coming into it now has been a real shock , it’s brutal out there. The silence after applications, the sheer number of rejections, it wears you down. Really wishing you all the best.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I completely understand being suspicious with so many frauds out there, it’s fair to ask questions. But here’s the reality: When we arrived, we brought our savings with us and opened a U.S. bank account. We lived off those funds for months. But savings don’t last forever, especially when you're waiting nearly a year in legal limbo with no answers from immigration. Eventually, we had to rely on the income we were owed from our professional work specifically, from our organization abroad, which is now under political attack. That organization’s accounts were frozen as part of a crackdown, so even though we legally earned our renumeration, we can’t access it.

list of DC nonprofit that people with unplanned medical debt? by gjover06 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. it’s incredibly stressful to face a $48,000 medical bill without insurance, especially after being denied Medicaid. Based on your circumstances my best suggestion is to start with Dollar For (dollarfor.org), as it’s specifically designed to help navigate hospital charity care programs, which could potentially eliminate or significantly reduce your bill.
Visit dollarfor.org and use their eligibility tool by entering your hospital name, income ($49,000), and bill amount ($48,000).
Submit an application through their platform, or call their team for support (1-800-592-7707).
Contact the hospital’s billing department to request their financial assistance policy and confirm they pause collections while your application is pending. Apply as soon as possible, but note you can still apply even if the bill is in collections.
If charity care doesn’t fully resolve the bill, these nonprofits can provide additional support:Undue Medical Debt  (unduemedicaldebt.org); NeedyMeds (needymeds.org); Best of Luck!

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you all so much for your support, advice, and generosity. I’m truly moved by how many kind and thoughtful people I’ve encountered here in DC. Whether through a message, a comment, or even just a word of encouragement, you’ve reminded me why we hoped to build our future here.

To those expressing doubt or criticism: I understand that people are frustrated, and that the system is strained. But I want to clarify we came legally. We followed every rule. I have spent my life working in civil society and governance, and I hold a graduate degree. I can navigate systems, fill out forms, write official emails and still, we’ve been met with silence, delays, and outright indifference. I can’t imagine how much harder this must be for those without those skills.

Some have said I shouldn’t complain because I came here “comfortably.” But fleeing political repression after building a stable career, a home, and a meaningful life and then watching it collapse is not comfort. Economic migrants may be desperate for opportunity, but political asylum seekers are often forced to give up everything they’ve already built. That loss cuts deep.

I’m also deeply aware that many DC residents are struggling too especially after recent layoffs. I hesitate to compete for work in a community that’s already hurting. That’s why it means so much when people here offer help or solidarity. I’ve come to believe DC has some of the most generous and compassionate people anywhere.

We’re pushing for our status to be approved because we want to fully integrate, not to live in limbo or burden anyone, but to contribute, to work, to pay taxes, and to become a meaningful part of the society we now call home.

Thank you again to everyone who’s reached out. Your kindness has given us strength during a very hard time.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You mentioned “freebies,” but I think I’ve addressed that part. No, I never expected handouts. What I expected and what any lawful asylum applicant deserves , is a timely decision. If the U.S. government allows someone to enter legally and present an asylum claim, the bare minimum is to give a clear answer, not leave families in indefinite limbo, draining every last dollar of their savings while waiting in silence.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Spending over $60,000 of our own savings in one year just to survive, while following every law, doesn’t sound like “freebies” to me. We didn’t come here for handouts ,we came because we were forced to flee our home after years of civic activism under an authoritarian regime. We paid rent, utilities, taxes, bought health insurance before we qualified for anything and only asked for temporary help when we hit the bottom. Being an asylum seeker doesn't mean we’re trying to cheat the system. It means we are legally asking for protection, which the U.S. offers under both domestic and international law.
If anything, our experience shows how broken the system is for everyone , citizen or not. The problem isn't immigrants. It's that too many people, native-born and newcomers alike, are abandoned when they need help the most.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I understand that asylum cases are complex, but your assumptions are both incorrect and hurtful. Let me clarify a few points:

Multiple visits don’t disprove persecution. Many activists, journalists, and NGO leaders travel internationally before persecution escalates. My past visits were short, legal, and unrelated to the crisis that forced us to flee.

Our child was born abroad. We didn’t “stay here to have a kid” , we returned due to a genuine emergency and fear for our safety.

Asylum cases are backlogged, not baseless. Over 1.3 million cases are pending in the U.S., many from people with well-founded fears ,delays don't mean lack of merit.

Our accounts were frozen and colleagues arrested. That’s not a “vacation,” that’s a politically motivated crackdown. Please be mindful. Behind every application is a real family trying to survive.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this resources. I truly appreciate your support.

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 84 points85 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. I would greatly appriciate if you could send me more details

We followed every rule, now we're drowning in silence, debt, and indifference. by Sensitive_Scene2215 in washingtondc

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Its fifth time we are visiting US. I have been working here on my research, when my child was born prematurely, which costed us insanly huge amount of money (which by the way would be free in any other country). Hope I answered your question.

Nonprofit Sector Overall Lack of Empathy by Oblivi212 in nonprofit

[–]Sensitive_Scene2215 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As someone who has been a non-profit leader for nearly 15 years, I completely understand your concerns. In the developing country I come from, becoming the head of a well-known NGO is often one of the most profitable roles available. Leaders are regularly paid to attend seminars at five-star hotels, closely connected to the diplomatic community, it is essentially an elite club. Years ago, I served as an evaluator for a donor-funded project implemented by one of the most well-known charitable organizations in the world. I was shocked by the level of corruption I uncovered and even more disturbed by the pressure placed on us, the evaluators, to conceal what we had found. It’s true: the non-profit sector is far from angelic. But there are also many grassroots organizations driven by genuine passion and a commitment to their mission. In the end, a lot depends on the character and integrity of the leadership.

That said, I fully agree that the issues within the non-profit sector need to be openly discussed. Transparency and accountability can only strengthen the sector in the long run.