Law Students

Nochebuena

By Andrea

Today started off pretty great, since I got Dan Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog on DVD for the holidays and this morning we watched the all-musical commentary track (best song: Nathan Fillion's "I'm Better than Neil" [Patrick Harris]). I was going to post some kind of silly "White Christmas" parody lyrics about how Boston is a horrible snow hole right now, full of insane drivers and people putting iced-over trash cans and lawn chairs in the parking spots they excavated from the street who will cut you if you try to park there, and how it would be much better to be driving around L.A. looking at fake snow in store windows and wearing a normal amount of clothing.

But some news from work intervened. We got a kind of Bat-call yesterday afternoon about trying to file some emergency motions to reopen for two detained women who were probably trafficking victims, and because I'm not flying anywhere like most of the staff, it was going to be me trying to do this next week with remote help. I was pretty nervous, but up for it. They were being held way up in Maine, so a local org went to the jail this morning armed with a bunch of questions from me to try and get this thing going - and found they were gone. They've already been transferred and are getting deported tomorrow, Christmas.

So we were too late. It was really, really hard to hear that. Especially since I've already been thinking about everyone who's spending their Christmas detained. I didn't want to think that tomorrow, while we drive to New York singing Christmas songs, anyone is taking a trip in handcuffs courtesy of ICE Air. Argh.

I know I'll get other chances, and at least I feel like I'm working hard for the asylum client whose hearing is in January. I went with her to a doctor's appointment yesterday, and she said, "I wish I could pay you, but I'll just have to hope that God pays you." I am getting paid, I think. Anyway, hug someone tight. I know I will. "Nochebuena" is the Spanish way to say Christmas Eve - have a good night and a good holiday with your loved ones.

Full post as published by Peanut Butter Burrito on December 24, 2008 (boomark / email).