After a long and complex process, Mr. T, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, was granted asylum in the United States with the assistance of Cleary Gottlieb lawyers. Mr. T is a high-ranking Tibetan monk who suffered serious persecution by the Chinese government for his religious beliefs while living in Tibet. Mr. T was instrumental in assisting the Gyalwa Karmapa, the highest ranking Buddhist leader after the Dalai Lama, flee Tibet. Mr. T soon thereafter sought refuge in the United States. After the renewal of his religious worker visa, under which he had been living and working legally in the United States, was rejected, Mr. T applied for political asylum. The case was researched, compiled and presented to the Asylum Officer through the pro bono efforts of another law firm. When these attorneys had to disengage Mr. T because of conflicts, the Cleary Gottlieb team took on his representation. The Cleary Gottlieb team secured his employment authorization and prepared for further asylum proceedings if necessary. Mr. T was granted asylum at the end of last month and is thrilled that he can legally remain in New York and open his Tibetan spirituality center in Queens.
