Thread by @HMAesq

We filed for citizenship for this gem of a person. He's struggled his whole life with a condition that prevents him from being able to learn. Still, he persisted: with nothing but grit and determination, made it to the US from Bangladesh, married, and has 3 beautiful children.

People around him help him do the things he cannot do, like drive.

We sought a medical waiver for the English and civic test portion of the naturalization process, and USCIS denied it.

That wasn't acceptable. I pointed out the objections lodged by USCIS to the medical waiver had no basis in law, and told the officer I knew the agency had been getting harsher and harsher on these medical waivers to the point of being impossible. Read: lawsuit.

Writ large, practices like this shut out people like my client from being able to win their citizenship and vote. That's not acceptable. If I have to sue for these vulnerable people, I will.

But not today. On further review, the officer accepted the waiver and recommended him for approval. He'll be a US citizen in a few weeks.

You'll hear a lot about "merit-based immigration," that we should only let in the best, brightest, privileged and educated English speakers.

Let me assure you, grit and determination are no less meritorious.

I'm so happy for him: this never gets old.

#AspiringAmericans