A Northern Arizona University track star’s long-lasting fantasy about contending in the Olympics nearly didn’t materialize.
That is on the grounds that 22-year-old Luis Grijalva is undocumented. Notwithstanding, he’s shielded from extradition under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which likewise permits him to go external the United States and return with authorization through a cycle called advance parole.
On Tuesday, his solicitation to go to Tokyo to contend in the Olympics was supported.
“I think Luis is the main DACA license holder to meet all requirements for the Olympics and to make a trip to the Olympics,” Jessica Bobadilla, California-based migration lawyer who addresses Grijalva, revealed to KTAR News 92.3 FM.
Grijalva leaves for Tokyo on Friday. He’ll contend in the fundamental 5,000-meter race on Aug. 3, addressing his local nation of Guatemala.
The NAU olympic style sports competitor reported the news through his Instagram account on Monday saying, “It’s true I’m going to Tokyo.” In an earlier post, he shared that he has been living in the U.S. nearly his whole life.
“Despite the fact that my underlying foundations began in Guatemala somehow or another I feel as American as any other person who was brought into the world here,” he said.
Grijalva likewise discussed what contending in the Olympics would mean for him.
“It would be an honor and an advantage to address my nation of origin yet additionally have the option to be a voice and address more than 600,000 Dreamers like me,” he composed.
Grijalva qualified for the Olympics in June after he completed second in the men’s 5,000-meter race at the NCAA olympic style sports title. Before long that, he reached Bobadilla to request her assistance to apply for advance parole so he could go to Tokyo.
“We immediately recorded a grant for movement with an assisted solicitation through the typical interaction,” Bobadilla said.
She clarified U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services supports these sorts of authorizations to travel for restricted reasons, including to visit a weak family member, for schooling purposes or for a business related explanation.
At the point when they didn’t move a reaction immediately, they went to U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran’s office for help to pressure USCIS. Case managers from the Arizona representative’s office called and sent letters to Acting Tucson Field Director Joby Eberly.
Bobadilla said she and Grijalva additionally recorded a crisis application face to face at the USCIS office in Phoenix on Monday, which was endorsed. Bobadilla, who has been a migration lawyer for more than many years, called it “exceptional.”
“I’ve never had something for a global occasion, similar to the Olympics, conceded on a crisis premise,” she said. “Yet, we had the option to achieve that.”