Parsons Behle & Latimer (Parsons) attorneys Nicole W. Hardesty and Garrett M. Kitamura, in collaboration with Boise-based immigration firm Christensen Legal, PLLC, recently provided pro bono assistance to a Ukrainian couple and their two children seeking asylum in the United States. The family fled Ukraine out of fear that their religious affiliation would subject them to social and political persecution. The head of the family, who suffers from a severe disability that requires constant medication and medical supervision, further fears that he would be unable to access the necessary treatment for his condition if returned to Ukraine and that he could be illegally conscripted despite his disability.
In the three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian military forces have targeted and devastated Ukraine’s healthcare system, destroying hospitals and other vital healthcare infrastructure. Consequently, medical services and resources in Ukraine are severely limited. The Ukrainian government has intensified its conscription efforts to replenish its dwindling forces, which has resulted in the forced and illegal conscription of men with disability exemptions. Ukrainians have also faced domestic social and legislative persecution for practicing unpopular religions deemed to be “pro-Russian.”
Nicole and Garrett dedicated numerous hours of research to provide evidence of these domestic conditions and to develop the legal theories for the family’s asylum claim. As a result of their efforts, Nicole and Garrett were able to submit a robust brief to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that details how the family would be persecuted if they returned to Ukraine and identifies their grounds for asylum.
Julianne Donnelly Tzul an attorney with Christensen Legal states, “We at Christensen Legal greatly appreciate Nickie and Garrett for volunteering their time and effort on behalf of a vulnerable family in our community. We are hopeful that this family’s application will ultimately be approved. But in the meantime, submission of the application is a win in and of itself because it ensures that they can remain in the United States while their application is pending. We want to thank Parsons Behle & Latimer for lending their attorneys to help with this cause.”
Garrett, who has previously volunteered with asylum and removal cases, says, "I am grateful for Parsons’ dedication to pro bono service because it allows us to lend our legal expertise to support those who critically need our services." Nicole adds, "Helping with this case has been incredibly rewarding, and I definitely want to continue supporting this community."
