A long-term client of the Immigration Law Clinic, directed by Professor Katie Meyer, who spent years searching for safety was granted Lawful Permanent Residence (a “green card”), allowing him to remain permanently in the United States. The client fled persecution in his home country of Haiti and moved to Chile in hopes of finding protection. After living for several years in relative peace in Chile, he suffered physical attacks and death threats motivated by anti-Black racism that was increasing throughout the country. Forced to flee again, he made the treacherous journey through Mexico, applying for asylum there during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After being denied asylum in Mexico in 2021, he came to the United States. Students from the WashU Immigration Law Clinic helped prepare and submit his application for asylum with the immigration court. Student attorneys also helped the client apply for an advance travel document, allowing him to return to Chile to visit family and safely re-enter the United States. During this time, he fell in love, got married, and became the stepfather to a young son. Based on that marriage, he was eligible to apply for a family-based green card, which Nimick Forbesway Foundation Legal Fellow Lexie Salamone prepared.
In the fall of 2025, after responding to a request for additional evidence from the government, the client’s Lawful Permanent Residence was approved, ending his 9-year, multi-country quest to find safety.
