For asylum seekers, moving across states is often a necessity, not a choice. After being released from federal custody, many LAAS relocate quickly across states to reunite with family or connect with sponsors to comply with their legal obligations. While this mobility is part of their journey, it creates serious challenges for both them and the CHWs trying to support them.

• As trust and communication were beginning to build, asylum seekers would often move to a new city or state where services and service eligibility rules were different. This constant movement made it difficult to ensure follow-up care, track referrals, or provide consistent guidance.

   

• CHWs were left searching for resources in unfamiliar areas, doing their best to connect people with what they needed, even when they didn’t know what services were available in another state:

   

• LAAS also bring questions beyond health, including legal steps, immigration paperwork, or family reunification. CHWs often didn’t have the answers and felt the limits of their role.