We participated in a Veteran’s Day letter writing campaign in November 2017, sending approximately 50 letters to Congress and state attorneys general appealing for protection of the MAVNI program, which allowed certain non-citizens to join the U.S. military and immediately apply for U.S. citizenship. Following the campaign, Partner Philip Curtis received a phone call from Michael E. Capuano, United States Representative, thanking him for the Firm’s efforts.
This May, WR Immigration is celebrating the outstanding contributions of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) partners. Miki Kawashima Matrician is a partner at WR Immigration’s Boston office and a Japanese immigrant from Nara, Japan. Having experienced the immigration process herself, Miki seeks to provide a bridge between the complex, labyrinthian immigration process and her clients, who understandably have so much at stake in their immigration applications. “Education and transparency help build this bridge and create trust,” she says. The metaphor of a bridge also carries deep meaning for Miki with regard to her multicultural identity as a Japanese American. Although she has spent most of her life in the United States, Miki maintains a deep connection with Japanese culture and traditions. In fact, her love for Japan is a thread woven throughout the many facets of her life. As a child, Miki cultivated a deep appreciated for “Wa,” a Japanese principle emphasizing harmony, cooperation, and interdependence. Wa was instilled in Miki at home and through Japanese cultural experiences in New York City. Years later, Miki chose to deepen her formal knowledge of Japanese culture and history by studying East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University, and by serving as […]
Pride month takes place in June, and marks a celebration of the achievements, culture, and activism of the LGBTQ+ community. This June, WR Immigration is proud to be standing with the LGBTQ+ community by leading efforts to combat discrimination, violence, and disruptions for transgender, non-binary, and gender persons as they pursue career growth and opportunities abroad. Transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming travelers can face unique challenges when traveling, relocating, and immigrating internationally. For starters, gathering documents for travel or immigration purposes can be difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially when a passport, birth certificate, or other identifying document bears a name and/or photo that no longer corresponds to a person’s gender identity. Another challenge is navigating the patchwork of gender laws and attitudes across the global mobility landscape. Not all countries are welcoming or safe for LGBTQ+ individuals. In fact, according to the United Nations, same-sex relationships remain criminalized offenses in over 70 countries, and in five of these countries, they are punishable by death. WR Immigration is committed to helping clients with transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming identities overcome these challenges. One way we improve the mobility experience for these individuals is by meticulously researching international policies at the […]
