We believe that those who reach northwestern Vermont seeking asylum should be welcomed and have the support they need to begin new lives in safety. 

We are a grassroots volunteer group of interfaith individuals and people of goodwill, centered in Chittenden County, Vermont. We welcome and provide support to people seeking asylum who are in northwestern Vermont. Our board includes several educators—  from a retired elementary school principal and a high school English teacher to a university Economics professor —as well as individuals who have been involved in immigration work for years, from direct work to advocacy. 

In 2021 alone, 50 people volunteered with CASAN and 65 people and local community and faith groups donated to CASAN. We are a registered 501(c)(3).  

How we support asylum seekers

Asylum seekers, unlike refugees, are not allowed to receive many kinds of government assistance, nor are they are allowed to work until reaching a certain point in the application process. Before an individual is authorized to work, CASAN aims to provide whatever financial support they need. This may include rent, food, transportation costs, clothing, etc.

The support CASAN provides is not just financial. It can come in the forms of advocacy, helping an individual find medical services, or connecting them with family programs. Equally important is getting to know asylum seekers and making them feel at home in their new community.

See our DONATE and VOLUNTEER pages to find out more about contributing financially or giving your time and skills.

Our history

CASAN was formed in 2019 when a Burlington non-profit asked us to help a mother and child seeking asylum who had come to our community. We provided full financial support for this family until they were financially independent. Since then, we have assisted two other families with similar wrap-around care and support, and we served as temporary sponsor for two additional households until long-term host groups were put in place. In addition, we have helped numerous other asylum-seeking households in significant ways: to find housing and secure donated furnishings; to connect with resources and make referrals; to cover transportation for a pregnant mom to get to doctor appointments during the pandemic; and to advocate in difficult situations. We look forward to helping many more individuals and families. 

Our partners

We believe in the power of partnership. CASAN is part of the Vermont/New Hampshire Asylum Support Network with 7 similar groups: Bridge to Rutland, CVRAN (Montpelier), NEKASAN (North East Kingdom), Community Asylum Seekers Project (Brattleboro), Randolph Area Asylum Seekers Support, SHARe (Norwich, VT/Lebanon/NH) and Project HOME (Keene, NH). We coordinate to support our mutual work and advocate for the asylum seekers whom we accompany on their journeys. In addition, we have representation on a US-Canadian cross-border network. 

About the asylum process
People seeking asylum have fled their home country because they fear for their life or safety. This could be due to gang violence, prejudice, political unrest, or other reasons. U.S. law allows people to apply for asylum – the right to remain in the U.S. – if they have a credible fear of persecution because their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Asylum seekers declare their intention to apply for asylum at a port of entry, or within the country. Asylum seekers may be held in detention centers. Some are released if they have a sponsor in the United States.

After declaring their intention to seek asylum, individuals then go through a lengthy legal process that culminates in a court hearing to state their case, at which an immigration judge will determine whether to grant them asylum. If a judge grants asylum, they are able to access many more resources and benefits, and they can later apply for a green permanent residency card. If the asylum application is denied, they are placed in deportation proceedings, though this can be appealed.

They can apply for a temporary work permit six months after the government acknowledges the receipt of their asylum claim. 

This whole process may take many years, and the large backlog of cases was exacerbated by the pandemic. While they wait for court hearings to take place, asylum seekers are not eligible for many federal benefits and are not allowed to work, so have no means to support themselves. 

What is the difference between refugees and asylum seekers?
Refugees are also fleeing violence and persecution, but the U.S. government determines whether to allow someone the right to immigrate to the U.S. as a refugee before they enter this country. Through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, refugees receive temporary financial assistance, permission to work, medical care, and help with finding housing, employment, English language classes, and other services.

Learn more about the asylum process

Fact Sheet: U.S. Asylum Process from the National Immigration Forum

Obtaining asylum in the United States, information from the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services