Harry & Eddy

Harry and Eddy* were only 14 and 10 when they were orphaned while living in their home country.  Since there was no one who could take care of them, they came to  the United States by themselves to be with their oldest brother, Osmin. Before he died, Harry and Eddy’s father was abusive toward Harry and Eddy, and their mother and two of their siblings died suddenly in a mudslide while working in the fields. Even though Osmin and his wife have three young children of their own and busy jobs installing carpet and cleaning homes, they didn’t think twice about taking in Harry and Eddy.

RILA represented Osmin in Fairfax Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in order to gain custody of Harry and Eddy. Having custody enables Osmin to protect and care for his brothers, and he is now able to seek medical care for both of them. As their legal guardian, he can now make critical decisions on their behalf to ensure all of their needs are met. Significantly, the court’s determination that the boys were abused by their father makes them eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), a pathway to legal permanent residency in the United States.

“It’s everything for our family ... so the boys can grow up here, get an education and have a future,” Osmin said. 

The judge echoed Osmin’s sentiment. During the hearing, she noted that even though Harry and Eddy had been through many hard things, this did not define them or their futures. The judge asked them to come back to see her when they achieved their dreams. When the judge asked Eddy what he wants to be when he grows up, he said, "Un abogoado" – a lawyer – because he wants to help people. 

*-Names have been changed.