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Addressing Urgent Immigration Needs
Blank Rome is proud to provide representation and advocacy for asylum seekers , refugees , and other immigrants from a number of countries . As an example , following the overthrow of the Afghan government by the Taliban , our attorneys acted quickly to form a pro bono team to assist former Afghan government employees , U . S . allies , and their family members who were in immediate danger . To date , nearly 50 firm volunteers have assisted 30 Afghans and their families with U . S . humanitarian parole or asylum applications .
Afghan Asylum Team Reunites U . S . Ally With Sister and Nieces
Jennifer L . Carrier
Jennifer L . Carrier , as part of our Afghan asylum pro bono team , helped to reunite the family of a U . S . ally who had worked for the U . S . embassy in Afghanistan . Due to threats , the U . S . ally moved to the United States in 2020 and was able to get his immediate family to a nearby country before the Taliban overthrew the Afghan government . However , his sister and her three children were stuck in Afghanistan , where they faced severe risk . Jennifer worked to bring her client ’ s sister and three nieces to the United States by filing Humanitarian Parole applications , a form of relief available if there is a compelling emergency and there is an urgent humanitarian reason to allow the applicant to enter the United States temporarily . In Jennifer ’ s practice , focused on policy and political law , she has cultivated contacts within agencies of the federal government , including the State Department , that she was able to utilize . It is very difficult to create a pathway to exit Afghan nationals from Afghanistan into the United States due to the lack of a diplomatic relationships with the Taliban government . But Jennifer spearheaded the process which resulted in reuniting the sister and her three kids with her brother and other family members in June 2022 .
Firm Helps Afghan Mother and Son Seek Refuge in United States
Natalie Alameddine
Arash Beral Nicoline Cu Jessica A . McElroy
Natalie Alameddine and Arash Beral , along with Nicoline Cu and Jessica A . McElroy , represented a mother and son whose family was forced to flee to the United States in August 2021 . Their clients , who had significant ties to the former government in Afghanistan , feared for their lives and safety .
Arash and Natalie spent significant time preparing their clients for their asylum interviews in Newark , New Jersey , and even flew to New Jersey to attend the interview with them . They are optimistic that their clients will receive a successful result and will be able to restart their lives in safety in the United States .
14 • PRO BONO REPORT & COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT