16 Year Old Nazeeya
Although Nazeeya was only 16 years old, she realized her family was treated differently than the other people living in her small African town. Teachers belittled her because of her ethnicity and the other children constantly tormented her. The one solace she had was her family and she felt safe there. Then one night soldiers invaded her home, looking for evidence her father was participating in a democratic political movement. In a matter of minutes the soldiers completely destroyed the life she knew and the family she loved. She awoke to the sound of shouting voices and boots stomping on the floor. Forced into one room with the rest of her family, she watched helplessly as she observed several of her family members being violently interrogated. Then she heard the sound of bullets. A soldier shot her father, uncle, and her older brother. They beat and then raped her and her mother before leaving that night. Fearful the soldiers would come back for Nazeeya, her mother hid her away until she was able to help her flee the country. Although she has escaped the soldiers, Nazeeya's ordeal has only begun. Seldom is a young woman able to escape this type of circumstance and make the long journey to the United States. She arrived in Dallas penniless. She has no family and she does not speak the language. Now she must complete the arduous asylum process. Yet, Nazeeya is not alone. In fact, she has the representation of one of the largest firms in the nation. The day before Thanksgiving as many of us made final holiday preparations, Patton Boggs' attorney, Jennifer Keefe represented Nazeeya before the Immigration Court in Dallas. As she has with so many other pro bono clients in the past, Ms. Keefe has accepted another of Human Rights Initiative's most challenging asylum cases. HRI's Board of Trustees' President, Elizabeth Healy says, "Nationally, the likelihood of success in these cases is less than thirty percent. Yet this has never deterred Ms. Keefe. In fact, she has always accepted the most difficult litigation matters from HRI and has won relief for her clients in every case." Ms. Keefe is always prepared for the challenge and this case is no exception. She has located expert witnesses, briefed the legal issues, and prepared her client. On the day of trial Ms. Keefe gave her young client a voice and helped her tell her story. Nazeeya has the opportunity to start over in the United States and Jennifer Keefe is helping her take the first step. "The most fulfilling work I have completed during my years with Patton Boggs has been defending refugees from abroad in their requests for political asylum," Ms. Keefe reflected. "Human Rights Initiative has helped me fulfill my pro bono commitment to the firm by referring the most challenging clients who need the umbrella of services Patton Boggs can provide." Ms. Keefe is not alone in her commitment to pro bono work. Countless other attorneys from Patton Boggs have dedicated their time to HRI's asylum cases and they are all making a difference--one client at a time. * * * Jennifer Keefe is a Partner with Patton Boggs LLP. She has been providing pro bono assistance to HRI asylum seekers since 2000.
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