Difficult Removal Cancellation Case Closed

As a child, Mr. Z had been abused, removed from his home by the Administration for Children’s Service, and endured homelessness. As a result of minor run-ins with law enforcement when he was a teenager, he was now, as an adult, facing removal from the United States to China, where he had not been since he was brought to the U.S. as a young boy. That’s when he came to the Varick Removal Defense Project at the City Bar Justice Center for help.

Andrew Kleiman and Garrett Wright of Proskauer Rose LLP took on Mr. Z’s case knowing that, although modest, his criminal history presented a substantial hurdle for his ability to remain in the United States. Their strategy focused on retaining an expert in trauma, who ultimately concluded that Mr. Z’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from his childhood abuse contributed to the poor choices that led him to have contact with law enforcement. After nine months in detention, Mr. Z was granted cancellation by the immigration court.

“The team’s skillful preparation of witnesses, particularly in helping Mr. Z overcome his timidity to articulate his claim effectively, was remarkable,” said Barbara Camacho, Fragomen Fellow with the City Bar Justice Center. “There is no doubt in my mind that had their client been represented by less able attorneys, he would not have been granted cancellation.”