PROTECTING RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS

Our attorneys provide pro bono assistance to clients on a wide range of immigration issues, including bond hearings, applications for asylum, and other forms of protection against deportation, and additional proceedings before the immigration court.  For instance, we secured a court ruling withholding removal of our client to Guatemala and authorizing his release on bond after litigating against the federal government for nearly two years.  The client fled Guatemala after gangs threatened him and his family.  In another case, we successfully obtained protection under the Convention Against Torture for a young immigrant fleeing persecution in Honduras due to his sexual orientation.  In another example, Gilbert LLP – after over five years – recently secured a divorce and custody award for a mother who for years was abused by her husband in Guatemala.  The abuse was severe enough that our client was forced to flee to the United States.  In the same proceeding, the court has issued findings of fact that are required for our client’s minor son with her now ex-husband to obtain “special immigrant juvenile status” in immigration proceedings, which will allow him to stay with his mother in the United States rather than being forced to return to his abusive father.  The matter was referred to us from KIND (Kids in Need of Defense).