Kian's Story
Kian, who goes by Kevin, came to the United States from Iran in 1979 as a student. He was on the last flight out of Iran in 1979 and remembers seeing actor Charlton Heston during his travels. He completed his studies in the mid-1980s, known as the “Bloody Decade” in Iran. He applied for asylum because he was afraid to return to his country. His application was eventually denied, because widespread killing and unrest is not enough to win. An individual must show an individualized fear of being personally targeted for persecution in order to obtain asylum.
During the many years that Kevin’s asylum case was pending, he married and had children in the United States. His wife later left Kevin with sole custody of the children, so immigration agreed to delay Kevin’s deportation so that he could continue raising his children. But he lived with the constant threat of deportation, which aggravated his existing health issues and stress level.
After many years of living in the United States with the threat of deportation looming, Kevin found the MICA Project. Immigration had told him that since his daughters were now grown, they were going to start processing his deportation. But Kevin was still supporting his daughters, and one of them was living with them after escaping from an abusive relationship. And Kevin hadn’t been back to Iran in 35 years.
We worked with Kevin to reopen his immigration case, eliminate his order of removal (deportation), and terminate proceedings. This is like reopening a criminal case and overturning a conviction! Kevin is now eligible for lawful permanent residence (a green card), which he should receive by the end of the year. Out from under the looming threat of deportation, Kevin is looking forward to continuing to support his children, and eventually grandchildren, here in the United States.
During the many years that Kevin’s asylum case was pending, he married and had children in the United States. His wife later left Kevin with sole custody of the children, so immigration agreed to delay Kevin’s deportation so that he could continue raising his children. But he lived with the constant threat of deportation, which aggravated his existing health issues and stress level.
After many years of living in the United States with the threat of deportation looming, Kevin found the MICA Project. Immigration had told him that since his daughters were now grown, they were going to start processing his deportation. But Kevin was still supporting his daughters, and one of them was living with them after escaping from an abusive relationship. And Kevin hadn’t been back to Iran in 35 years.
We worked with Kevin to reopen his immigration case, eliminate his order of removal (deportation), and terminate proceedings. This is like reopening a criminal case and overturning a conviction! Kevin is now eligible for lawful permanent residence (a green card), which he should receive by the end of the year. Out from under the looming threat of deportation, Kevin is looking forward to continuing to support his children, and eventually grandchildren, here in the United States.
Help ensure other brave clients like Kian are able to seek asylum in the United States.
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Donate today to help Ensure the Brave Have a Home!
