How can I help a friend who is in the US illegally get back on his feet?

May 25, 2013 12:42 AM

A workmate of mine recently lost his job. He has struggled with alcoholism in the past, and our boss made clear to him that if my friend was drinking again he would immediately be fired. He works harder than anyone I've met. Unfortunately, his thirst got the best of him, and he was seen at the liquor store. They let him go that same day. Without a job he is drinking himself to death. As far as I can tell, there are no opportunities for treatment for a non-citizen with next to no English. Apart from that work is fairly scarce and the majority of places in our area that I can think of would have trouble with his lack of papers. In his current state I honestly don´t know how he could manage to search for work, but I have full faith that presented with an opportunity, he will utilize it. He is a hard worker, and a great guy in a rough place, and he needs help. I am on good terms with my bosses, and I am almost positive I can get them to at least speak good of him if used as a reference. Probably just say something about how we were overstaffed or something similar. Might anyone have a clue as to where to start?

Also, how do line breaks work on metafilter?

posted by jth0328 to Work & Money