In this January 10, 2016 column, college professor Kirk Anthony James describes his experience fighting deportation, with IDP’s assistance, for an old drug offense.
My waiver hearing would occur in January of 2002. The New York State Immigrant Defense Project handled my case pro bono. They would conduct numerous interviews with family and friends in an effort to show the totality of my humanity. And even though I was incarcerated, I was scheduled to earn my associate degree with honours in less than four months.
On the morning of the hearing, I saw my family and friends; allowed to testify on my behalf as to why I should remain in the United States. I was nervous, but thrilled to know that I would finally be given an opportunity to discuss in depth the circumstances that led me to prison.
Read the full article here.