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For immigration attorney Cari Pastor, the law is more than a profession—it’s a calling. With 35 years of experience and a personal connection—her father fled Cuba during the 1959 revolution and sought asylum in the U.S.—she brings rare clarity to how the asylum process really works.

In our conversation, Pastor dismantles some of the loudest myths. Seeking asylum is not illegal; it is a protected legal process whether at a port of entry or after crossing. Asylum seekers aren’t angling for handouts; they are waiting—often desperately—for work authorization, asking again and again, “When can I start working?” And far from the caricatures in headlines, these are people fleeing persecution who want nothing more than safety and the chance to rebuild their lives.

She also draws a sharp contrast between refugees and asylum seekers. Refugees arrive with legal status and resettlement support. Asylum seekers, by contrast, face a labyrinth of hearings and paperwork with virtually no safety net—making organizations like The Lighthouse critical lifelines during the long wait before work permits arrive.

Pastor’s courtroom stories capture both heartbreak and hope: a Middle Eastern student granted asylum after raising a resistance flag, a domestic violence survivor denied despite overwhelming evidence. Through it all, she grounds her work in faith: “I draw on that all the time. I am a lawyer thanks to God.”

As political rhetoric grows harsher, Pastor offers a roadmap for those who want to help: listen with empathy, show up at peaceful demonstrations, and hold officials accountable. “Don’t lose hope,” she insists. For those willing to walk alongside their vulnerable neighbors, the light at the end of the tunnel is still in sight.

Please consider supporting The Lighthouse, a haven to those navigating our broken immigration system. We strive to ensure that those seeking safety never have to navigate their darkest moments alone.

For more information, please visit lighthousenj.org.