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ARTICLE · 05 MAY 2020

Firm Clears Immigration Hurdles For Afghan Interpreter

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
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April 9, 2020 — HHR won an immigration victory for a pro bono client who spent several years working as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.

United StatesImmigration
Malik Havalic
Malik Havalic
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April 9, 2020 — HHR won an immigration victory for a pro bono client who spent several years working as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan. 

On March 5, Zahir Shah and his family successfully cleared immigration at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia after securing special immigrant visas (SIV). Shah's arrival from his native Afghanistan came nearly six years after he first applied for a visa.

The SIV program was created to offer immigration – and eventually citizenship – opportunities to Afghan and Iraqi translators and interpreters who assisted the U.S. military efforts in those countries. However, the program has been plagued with issues, including visa processing bottlenecks, which have resulted in congressional and media scrutiny, as well as more than one class action lawsuits brought by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). 

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