On Wednesday, March 11, 2015 New York City Public Advocate Letitia James volunteered her efforts in helping immigrant youth gain permanent status in the United States. James represented a Honduran teen had who fled his country in search of safety. The child fled Honduras alone and sought safety and protection in the U.S.
James successfully argued before a family court judge for Keybi, 16, who now lives in East New York, Brooklyn, to make Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). He was threatened by rampant violence in Le Ceiba, his hometown and it is not in his best interest to return to Honduras.
Keybi has had a very difficult life and experienced far too much adversity. Keybi’s dad died when he was 12, and his mother sent him to live with his aunt. His aunt neglected him and let him starve, on top of which the everyday threat of gang recruitment and violence threatened his life. Last March, Keybi made the dangerous journey from Honduras to the United States, his second attempt at fleeing his aunt and Le Ceiba.
Public Advocate James will represent Keybi in Immigration Court and before USCIS. Public Advocate James has not only volunteered herself to this honorable cause, but has appealed for other attorneys to join and help these some 3,000 children who have landed in New York, seeking refuge.
Read the full article from the Daily News here.