spotlight

When Angela Bean agreed to take on Mario’s immigration case, she knew it was going to be complicated. Mario was a Cuban immigrant who had come to the United States via boatlift in the 1980s. He was an HIV+ gay man in his late fifties, and had an unclear immigration status. Over the last several years he had been referred to multiple immigration attorneys but due to his very low income and a series of personal problems, he had been unable to make a connection.

“From the very moment I heard the details of Gabriel’s story, I knew it was going to be a tough case,” said Katherine Larkin-Wong, an Associate in the Litigation Department of Latham & Watkins. “But working with Gabriel and ALRP on this case was an incredible opportunity to really help someone.”

Endy Ukoha-Ajike’s first assignment as an ALRP Panel attorney was life-changing for both himself and his client. An immigrant from Nigeria via England, he was just starting out his law career after graduating from Golden Gate University’s School of Law when a colleague suggested he volunteer with ALRP. “I was used to volunteering through my church,” Endy said. “I thought ALRP would be another great way for me to give back.”

Panel attorney Shawn Matloob recently made ALRP history when he helped one member of a same-sex couple obtain a green card. It was the first time an ALRP immigration client had obtained residency based on a same-sex marriage. “It’s great that this is now possible,” said Shawn, who practices immigration law in San Francisco.