Sold as a Slave to US Family, Egyptian Girl Grows Up to Become a US Citizen
by Martha Neil, abajournal.comDecember 16th 2011 5:04 PM
Sold as a slave by her family in Egypt and smuggled into the United States, at age 10, to work for a Cairo family living in California, a young girl has grown into a young woman with a bright future.
Shyima Hall, now 22, was rescued at age 13 by child protective services after a concerned neighbor in Irvine tipped authorities and grew up in foster care. Mentored by one of the federal agents who helped make a case against the couple who purchased her, she became a U.S. citizen yesterday and hopes to pursue a career as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Meanwhile, she is working as a store supervisor.
Partner Angelo Paparelli of Seyfarth Shaw represented Hall at no charge in her citizenship application. It was pursued under a special provision that applies to juvenile immigrants.
"She has literally gone through a living hell, and now she wants to give back," Paparelli told the newspaper, expressing admiration for his pro bono client. "She's there to give other people courage."
Original Page: http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/sold_as_a_slave_to_us_family_egyptian_girl_grows_up_to_become_a_us_citizen/
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