Impact: A Promising Future after a Treacherous Childhood

When Luis* was young, his mother abandoned him in Honduras, leaving him alone with an alcoholic father who regularly beat him. When Luis was 15 years old, his father received a life sentence in Honduras for attempted murder. With no one to care for him, he made his way to the United States, where he was promptly detained in San Antonio, Texas, and placed in removal proceedings. When the government released Luis to live with family in Illinois, his relatives told him not to contact an immigration lawyer. As a result, Luis missed his immigration court hearing and was ordered deported in absentia. Eventually, with the assistance of NIJC, Luis’ case was reopened. An Illinois juvenile court declared him dependent on the court due to his parents' abuse, abandonment and neglect. Luis’ petition for special immigrant juvenile status was approved and the immigration judge terminated his removal proceedings. He was then granted lawful permanent resident status. Despite his difficult childhood, Luis graduated from high school in 2010 and currently is in college.

*Name has been changed to protect client's privacy.