WASHINGTON — Muhammad, a member of a minority group persecuted in Pakistan, dreams of becoming a lawyer — specifically, an immigration lawyer so he can help people like himself.
The 28-year-old, who now works as a researcher at an Ivy League university, has been granted asylum — a stringent standard available to those who face persecution in their home countries because of their race, religion or political beliefs.
But Muhammad’s yearslong wait for a green card has upended his plans. He was accepted into law school for the fall of 2020, but he couldn’t afford it without in-state tuition, only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. He has deferred enrollment the past two years, hoping his green card would be approved in time.
