Manatt was recognized at Immigration Equality’s 2024 Safe Haven Awards in recognition of the Firm’s life-saving work for LGBTQIA+ and HIV-positive asylum seekers.
Working with Immigration Equality for more than a decade, Manatt has devoted nearly 4,000 pro bono hours toward representing referred clients since 2013. In 2023 alone, Manatt professionals recorded more than 300 hours to seven Immigration Equality clients on asylum, U-Visas, and adjustment of status applications.
At the awards gala, Manatt was honored to be presented with the award by OW, a previous pro bono client for whom the Firm secured asylum after fleeing persecution for his sexual identity in his home country. Manatt worked with him throughout his eight-year process before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“Manatt is more than just a law firm to me. They are family,” OW said. “They not only represented me in my asylum case, they are wonderful human beings to the core. Throughout the entire eight years of representation, they met me with compassion. Every motion, every signature and every meeting, my attorneys would go above and beyond in their work and made me feel safe.”
“As our clients navigate the complicated and ever-changing immigration system, Manatt legal teams not only offer their expertise and their compassion but are driven by and dedicated to the push for equality more generally,” said Manatt Director of Pro Bono Sirena Castillo. “Together with Immigration Equality, we will continue to fight for the rights of asylum seekers who are persecuted on account of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status, upholding the values of justice and equality that define us all.”
The Safe Haven Awards are presented by Immigration Equality, a national organization promoting justice for LGBTQIA+ and HIV-positive immigrants and a pro bono partner of Manatt.
Learn more about the 2024 Safe Haven Awards here.