A Natural Advocate
BAYOS’ JOURNEY FROM REFUGEE TO DOJ REPRESENTATIVE
When Izabayo (Bayos) Nsabiyeze was just four years old, his family fled the Democratic Republic of Congo, seeking safety in Uganda for 18 years. Like many refugee families, displacement marked his early childhood with uncertainty and resilience. In 2011, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) conducted a series of interviews with his family, uncertain of where they would ultimately land. Eventually, they received the news that they would go to the United States.
Just a few months later, Bayos found The Hope Center. The connection came through a friend who introduced Bayos to Eileen Wilson, Director of The Hope Center at the time.
Bayos worked tirelessly to support himself and his family. While looking for a better employment opportunity, Eileen helped him develop practical skills such as writing resumes and preparing for interviews.
The Hope Center’s legal team, IMAGO Immigration Legal Services, also guided Bayos through the immigration process, and once he had learned the steps, he began referring others to IMAGO for the same guidance.
“I didn’t know how to apply, but Eileen helped me,” Bayos explains. “When others didn’t know how to apply for a green card, I referred them to IMAGO.”
After that, Bayos became a constant presence at The Hope Center, ready to help any refugee he met navigate the green card process. When a new lawyer and managing director, Nick Tribuzzo, joined IMAGO, Bayos was initially hesitant.
“Eileen was my friend, and I trusted her with the people I brought for green card assistance,” Bayos recalls. “But one day, she told me they had hired a lawyer who would now be helping with these cases.”
Bayos soon met Nick and immediately liked him. Recognizing Nick’s knowledge and dedication, Bayos quickly began referring others to him, just as he had done with Eileen.
“Even if it was 7 in the evening, I could call Nick to refer people to get a green card,” Bayos remembers. “Nick was amazing. He helped me with my citizenship application.”
Nick and Bayos Working on a Legal Case
While working his night shift job, Bayos would spend his mornings helping others schedule appointments, gather documents, and ensure families had all the information they needed to meet with Nick for legal support. Bayos became a trusted guide for families navigating complex immigration processes, offering support long before it was part of his paid role.
For Bayos, the motivation is simple. “Many people don’t know what to do,” he says. “I don’t like passing people who are hungry for help. If I know something, how could I pass by someone who needs that knowledge?”
In December, 2022, Bayos was exploring a career move. He had been offered a job at a health center. Then, he received an unexpected offer from Nick to work at IMAGO. Nick saw natural talent and passion in Bayos. For Bayos, the choice between these two offers was easy. “I knew Nick, and I wanted to work here,” he recalls.
Bayos has risen through the ranks at IMAGO. He started as a walk-in specialist, then became an administrative assistant, and eventually pursued Department of Justice (DOJ) accreditation, which allows non-lawyers to represent clients in certain immigration matters. He worked toward this credential while juggling two jobs. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Bayos attended countless trainings and webinars for the accreditation, often joining Zoom sessions while driving between shifts. He studied late into the night, sometimes sleeping only an hour or two. In September 2024, he took his final test.
“When I submitted my test, I closed my eyes,” he recalls. “It was so much stress and I did not want to take it all over again.”
When the news arrived that he had passed, the relief was overwhelming. “It was so emotional when I found out I passed. I was so relieved. I finally slept and got around to other things in my life.”
IMAGO Immigration Team Celebrating Bayos’ DOJ Accreditation
Today, Bayos became IMAGO’s newest DOJ Accredited Representative and the first of Congolese descent in the state of Ohio. His work centers on green cards and citizenship, areas where delays and policy changes create daily challenges. Despite the stress and the growing demand for services, Bayos finds joy in every success.
“I get so much joy from these cases. I feel happy knowing that they are getting their green cards and citizenship status,” he says.
Serving on an immigrant-led team is meaningful to Bayos. Fluent in multiple languages, including Swahili, he understands the nuances of culture and dialect across African countries. That lived experience builds trust and allows clients to feel seen and respected.
Bayos on the Phone With a Client
Nick describes him as a bridge-builder. “Bayos shows a watching world that a child who flees their country of origin can grow to become a leader who provides refuge and a second chance in America.” He adds, “I think the next generation of Cleveland's newcomers will speak of his listening ear— his active focus on each and every word that is shared with him. I think they will speak of his cautious approach—how he thoroughly assesses each person's situation before advising. And most importantly, I think they will speak of his unwavering respect—how he celebrates our shared, God-made image and dignifies people across cultures who seek guidance.”
Today, Bayos is part of our dedicated legal team at The Hope Center, now called IMAGO Immigration Legal Services, alongside Nick, two other DOJ-accredited representatives, a walk-in specialist, and a paralegal. Together, they provide compassionate, expert immigration legal services, guided by a team who has lived the journey themselves. By supporting IMAGO, you can help ensure that more families find the guidance, care, and hope they need to build a new life in the U.S.
