Making a difference
Every translation has a real, tangible impact on someone's story.
The work of the Spanish Team.
So far in 2025 we have covered 886 cases, interpreted 191 hours and translated 2,720 pages. This includes a significant number of urgent, high-stakes cases - some even require overnight or same-day deadlines, and are often translations needed for individual asylum claims. Luckily, we have been able to accommodate these requests due to the hard work of our Project Managers and Proofreaders and the willingness to help of our Linguists, but they're certainly a challenge!
Since the start of the second Trump administration and the implementation of arcane and discriminatory immigration policies, we have also worked with many of our incredible partner organisations to support refugees, asylum seekers and immigrant communities in the US by translating many Know Your Rights texts, and have provided simultaneous interpreting for events on the topic too. By doing so, we help ensure that communities that find themselves at risk are equipped to advocate for themselves and their loved ones in a time of such uncertainty.
In light of this increasing demand for language support, we have also recently taken the opportunity to expand our team, onboarding 6 new Project Managers and 9 Proofreaders! This has allowed us to streamline our workflow significantly and keep up with the caseload more efficiently. A new two-step proofreading system has also been implemented, meaning that every translation we deliver is thoroughly revised twice before it gets sent out. This ensures the highest possible quality translations for both our partner organisations and the individuals who request our services. When it comes to casework, we have successfully delivered almost 900 cases, assisting hundreds of individuals with their asylum claims, migration processes, medical care, education…the list goes on. All of these projects that we do for individuals are completely pro-bono, and would not be possible without our expansive network of volunteers who give up their time to help those who need our services.
In times like these, it can feel like the work we do individually is a drop in the ocean - it's hard to see how one person's contribution can make a difference when the world and the power structures that govern it seem stacked against us. Working at Respond and being part of the community has shown me that what we are doing really does make a difference. Every case we translate or interpret has a real, tangible impact on someone's story. Getting the chance to work with people who are aligned on the same causes and who truly care about language access work and language justice is truly inspiring. Lastly, the feedback we receive, whether that may be from clients or fellow team members, really goes to show just how impactful our work can be.
"Thank you for your cooperation and continued support. Your work truly makes a meaningful difference for our clients, and it has a significant positive impact on their immigration process."
Awel, AsylumWorks (After we turned around an urgent pro-bono translation of some personal documents in less than 24 hours)
"Respond, una organización que acompaña al migrante traduciendo con eficacia y calidad." // "Respond, an organisation which accompanies migrants - translating with efficiency and quality."
Martha Patricia Molina, Nicaragüenses en el Mundo Texas
"The work Respond does is vital; when every major power structure seems determined to divide us, combatting language injustice is more important than ever. On a personal level, working with Respond has given me direction at a point in my life where I distinctly lacked it and has inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Translation and Interpreting."
Felix Bailey, Spanish Team Volunteer PM
Blog entry courtesy of Seren Roff,
Spanish Team Lead.
