After decades of uncertainty, Henry Pachnowski, an 84-year-old Holocaust survivor, was finally sworn in as a United States citizen. The WCL Immigrant Justice Clinic played a pivotal role in securing his citizenship, helping him overcome legal hurdles that had plagued him for most of his life.

Pachnowski first arrived in the United States in 1951, fleeing the horrors of the Holocaust with his family. Despite being granted permanent residency, his legal status became complicated due to minor legal issues in the 1960s. These issues led to deportation proceedings, but because he was stateless, the government was unable to deport him. As a result, Pachnowski found himself in legal limbo for over five decades.

In 2019, the WCL Immigrant Justice Clinic took on Pachnowski’s case. Student attorneys conducted extensive research and investigations, including a painstaking search for decades-old court records in Los Angeles. Their efforts paid off when they successfully uncovered defects in the original proceedings and obtained a pardon for one of his convictions.

Following these legal victories, the Clinic was able to reopen Henry's immigration court case and restore his permanent residence status. After addressing a few remaining legal matters, Pachnowski applied for citizenship through naturalization earlier this year. He passed his citizenship interview with flying colors and was officially sworn in as a U.S. citizen.

The WCL Immigrant Justice Clinic's dedication and hard work helped to ensure that a Holocaust survivor finally received the recognition and belonging he deserved in his adoptive country. Henry’s experience also illustrates the plight of stateless persons in the United States. The organization United Stateless played an important role in drawing attention to Henry’s case and advocating on his behalf.