Immigration forum amplifies call to ‘stand up for justice’

SALISBURY — Attorney Glenn Formica put the issue of immigration in haunting human terms.

Speaking at a meeting sponsored by Vecinos Seguros 2 at Trinity Church of Lime Rock Thursday, Formica said “53% of the country is in favor of current immigration laws. I don’t know where you go with that. What’s missing in your life that you’ve lost any sense of love or human affection; that you feel good when others are suffering? That’s 53% of the population. What we’re dealing with is inhumane, dark.”

Formica is an immigration attorney who has a practice in New Haven. He is well known for taking pro bono cases for those undocumented persons facing detention or deportation.

In introducing Formica, the Rev. John Carter, the founder of Vecinos Seguros, which translated means “Safe Neighbors,” said he heard of the lawyer from New Haven who has “a smart head and warm heart.” Carter said while the country is going through crushing times now, “I thank God for people who stand up for justice and compassion.”

Formica began his talk with a bit about his personal life, noting that when he was in law school, he pictured himself as focusing on land use or real estate cases. A graduate of Catholic University, he has a religious background. So, after working in corporate law in Washington, D.C., he saw what he perceived as shallowness in certain aspects of the profession.

He moved back to Connecticut, where he’d been raised, and one day was approached by a Catholic monk who showed up at his office with a child from Ethiopia. The youngster could not go back for safety reasons, and Formica was able to allow him to remain in the United States. Then he was sent another child from the Congo, for whom Formica was able to get his first asylum win.

He eventually left the law firm with 30 immigration clients. The next firm didn’t appreciate his work in that area either.

“So, I quit and started my own firm with 30 pro bono cases,” he related. “I eventually grew enough of a practice that rewarded me. I’ve never suffered. It’s always worked out.” He began taking more complicated immigration cases, and realized if you’re doing something to help other people, the universe will balance itself out.

He recounted that he’s had many wild cases, but concluded his focus wasn’t on him, but about taking care of his clients. Speaking of President Trump, he said, “He’s coming for everybody I care about, so I have something to make my life meaningful. I’ll help everyone I can and leave nothing on the table.”

Formica put a positive spin on the current situation, saying, “We should all be grateful. We’re living in a time where we can do something.” He believes those in red districts will see in a couple of months that there is no one to work in their hospitals or daycare centers, or landscape their property or put roofs on their houses and that instead of jobs coming back they’ll be leaving.

He urged the audience to provide support for those who are terrified to go to events or ask for assistance with filling out necessary paperwork. “They need to feel you are there for them,” he said, recommending helping them get to food pantries or the ICE office. “Use your privilege to stand up for them.”

Formica lamented the dearth of immigration lawyers in the state and the need to get those in the profession trained to take on cases.

He spoke about an interfaith group that is starting to come together made up of community members to provide emotional and social support for immigrants in the region.