In the lead up to and following the recent takeover of Afghanistan’s government by the Taliban, lawyers across the firm have volunteered their time and pro bono counsel to helping endangered Afghan civilians—including those who served alongside allied forces as interpreters—and their families leave the country and apply for legal status in the United States.
Partner Shannon Donnelly is among the many Morgan Lewis lawyers who have offered urgent assistance to Afghans and the nonprofit organizations working to support them at this critical juncture. Here she discusses what motivated her to get involved in the relief efforts and the importance of expressing gratitude for the service of others.
Since September, Shannon and a cross-office Morgan Lewis team have been working to secure humanitarian parole, a means to bring to the United States an individual who would otherwise be inadmissible for entry, for nearly 30 Afghan citizens. The project includes coordinating with US-based sponsors to collect required documentation and complete detailed applications.
I have now worked with two different families, one who had made it out of Afghanistan and is waiting in Pakistan, and another that is still in hiding in Kabul. Both families were trying to move large family units to safety and were fearful for their lives.
What has touched me the most is the partnership and gratitude expressed by the nonprofit organizations we coordinate with on this important work and the families, and the sense that I am truly influencing their safety and direction. I have also been so lucky to work with some amazing Morgan Lewis team members, who have been just as committed to this cause.