As immigration attorneys, we sometimes take for granted the impact we can have on people’s lives and the changes we can bring to people realizing their American dreams. Sometimes, working under the radar, we make things happen for our clients without taking the time to reflect on how impactful the work truly is.
Last week, at Paschal Nwokocha & Chukwu, we were reminded of the overwhelming consequences of our representation. Paschal Nwokocha was the attorney of record in this particular matter. In an Immigration Court room in Fort Snelling, MN, we had to represented a client in an asylum case before an Immigration Judge. Our case involved a professional woman from the Great Lakes region of Africa. A victim of persecution and threats because of her ethnicity and political activism, we had first represented her in requesting asylum from USCIS. The asylum office did not grant her case, but instead referred her to removal proceedings before an immigration Judge. The Court would order her deported to her country of feared persecution if her asylum application is denied.
We were scheduled to present our case before a conservative Immigration Judge who bragged about how few asylum cases he grants. The off-putting, government attorney challenged our client’s credibility, and argued that our expert witness was “covering” for our client. Previously, the client, who had a great job working for an international agency in her home country, had provided an incorrect information in her application for a visitor’s visa to the U.S. According to the government, this false information meant that she could not be trusted in anything else. We held steady, focusing on the merits of her asylum claim. With a fantastic client, we made a very strong case.
There were no dry eyes in the court room when the Judge announced his intent to grant the asylum application. The client’s friends, who came for support and to hear her story for the first time, were emotionally moved. The client couldn’t stop thanking us for the win. She promised to take full advantage of the opportunities she now has in the United States. We have no doubt she will excel.
The story is not unique to our office. A lot of immigration lawyers secure successful outcome for their clients everyday.
To all immigration professionals: we make a difference. Even against the political blowbacks and immigrant bashing, we should never forget those we represent. Whether it be in administrative proceedings, employment petitions, or family unification cases, we make a difference. We cannot forget this. The United States is better because of the work we do; families are forever changed because of our work; and we are privileged to be invited into the innermost secrets of our clients’ lives as we help them tell their stories. And to top it off, we get paid to do this.
What a privilege and an honor.