Spotlight on Ansar’s Former Paralegal Tala Areiqat

Tala Areiqat’s time at Ansar’s Immigration Clinic was marked by compassion, dedication, and a genuine commitment to serving immigrant families in the community. Through her work with the clinic, she helped clients navigate difficult legal processes while offering patience, professionalism, and care to those seeking guidance and support. Her thoughtful approach and willingness to learn made her a valued part of the team and left a lasting impact on both clients and colleagues alike.

As Tala moves on to her next chapter, she reflects on the experiences, challenges, and lessons that shaped her time at Ansar and the meaningful connections she built along the way.

Tala's Story:

What motivated you to join this nonprofit, and did the role meet your expectations?

I was motivated to join this nonprofit because of my interest in immigration law as well as ANSAR’s mission. I had heard about ANSAR previously and wanted to help others in the Pittsburgh community. This role is what I expected it to be.

How did your background and expertise in immigration law influence your work here?

My prior legal experience included internships mainly involving intern work and observing and shadowing other attorneys. Here, my background helped me in understanding the importance of confidentiality, how to speak to clients, and legal writing.

What were the biggest challenges you faced while working with immigrant communities?

One of the biggest challenges I faced while working with immigrant communities was communicating our service fees, as well as USCIS filing fees. Many clients hoped these costs could be waived, but I did not have the authority or ability to do so, which often led to difficult conversations. Another challenge was ensuring clients arrived with complete and accurate documentation. When important information was missing or inconsistent, appointments became unnecessarily long and often required multiple follow-up calls and rescheduling. Reaching clients could also be difficult, as many were unavailable during office hours or unable to answer consistently. Lastly, one of the most difficult aspects of the work was encountering situations where clients needed support beyond the resources our organization could provide, and having to determine the best outside resources or referrals to guide them toward.

How well did the organization support you in navigating U.S. immigration law complexities?

I believe the organization supported me in many ways, especially during moments when I felt unprepared to navigate certain situations. I was fortunate to have a highly supportive supervisor who consistently mentored and guided me whenever I was uncertain. My supervisor, Anastasiia, played a major role in teaching me the nuances of immigration law and how to approach clients with professionalism and empathy. She also emphasized the importance of ethics, accuracy, and attention to detail, which greatly shaped the way I approach my work today.

What aspects of the nonprofit’s mission or operations did you find most rewarding?

I found it most rewarding to help people that were often overlooked in the community and be able to work with them one on one. I particularly enjoyed working with families trying to establish a life in the United States as it was both very moving and inspiring. The people I worked with were so grateful and inspiring and made me look forward to coming to work every day.

Would you recommend this nonprofit to other immigration lawyers? Why or why not?

I would recommend this nonprofit, especially to immigration attorneys who are interested in working in person two to three days per week on a consistent basis. I believe it is an excellent environment for someone who can maintain a reliable schedule and is willing to contribute fully alongside the legal team. Because the organization is small, everyone depends on one another, and each person’s work plays an important role in keeping operations running smoothly. It is a valuable place to learn the importance of transparency, accountability, and collaboration, as nonprofit work often requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. I also greatly enjoyed the people I had the opportunity to work with, which made the experience even more rewarding.

What advice would you give to your successor in this role? I would advise my successor to keep a notebook and regularly write down notes about any nuances they learn regarding filing systems, office processes, policy updates, or relevant news developments. I did this myself, and I believe it helped me immensely. It allowed me to keep track of questions for my supervisor, document what I learned so I would not forget it, and stay organized in a fast-changing environment. I also used it to write down moments I felt grateful for, which helped me stay motivated and grounded during more difficult periods of the work. That practice was especially valuable in immigration law, where constant changes and emotionally challenging cases can make the work demanding.

We are thankful for Tala’s time with Ansar’s Immigration Clinic and for the dedication she brought to this work each day. We wish her continued success in all her future endeavors and know she will continue to positively impact the communities she serves.