Zemecha Gora fled Ethiopia and arrived in Minnesota four years ago. 
He has been served through many of our direct service programs: filing for his green card through Immigration Legal Services, and preparing for job interviews with our employment counselors.
Zemecha’s unyielding focus now is on preparing a home for his wife and 3-year-old son in Albert Lea, MN. The family was separated before Zemecha was able to meet their son, Marobet who was born in 2017 and still lives in Ethiopia with his mom.
Immigration counselors at Arrive Ministries helped Zemecha petition for family reunification. Now he is patiently waiting for the government to approve his family’s reunion. While he waits, Zemecha prepares.
“I left the Twin Cities, so I could find a place with lower rent and to make a good income,” said Zemecha.
“the work we do… to reunite family members and apply for citizenship is often what solidifies the U.S. as home.”
Zemecha wants his wife and son to feel warmly welcomed when they arrive in Minnesota; that’s why Arrive Ministries’ role in navigating the complex U.S. immigration system is important.
“Someone can be here for many years with a green card or visa and start building the elements of home by enrolling in school, committing to a faith community, finding housing and employment,” said Allegra Drobnick, an Immigration Counselor. “But the work we do at Arrive Ministries to reunite family members and apply for citizenship is often what solidifies the U.S. as home for refugees and immigrants.”
