Afghan Interpreter for U.S. Government Wins Provisional Approval of Special Immigration Visa

Paul, Weiss achieved a significant immigration victory, alongside the International Refugee Assistance Project, on behalf of pro bono client Miram B., an Afghan citizen who worked as an interpreter for the United States government. After six years and numerous appeals, reapplications, denials and other roadblocks, Miram received “Chief of Mission” approval of his Special Immigration Visa (SIV) application. SIVs were created to assist individuals who worked as translators, interpreters or other specific professions on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan or Iraq. Miram and his family, including his wife and children, have since traveled to Pakistan and are awaiting an interview with the U.S. embassy to finalize their approval to immigrate to the U.S.

The Paul, Weiss team included corporate associate Lewis Fainer, without whose herculean efforts none of this would be possible, of counsel Eric Goodison, restructuring counsel Diane Meyers and the Paul, Weiss pro bono team.