As part of the Fellowship, Rasekh will provide legal counsel and representation to Afghan clients seeking lawful status in the United States.
“Beheshta arrived at Syracuse and began her LL.M. studies very soon after the Taliban re-took control of Afghanistan, originally planning to return to her country and serve her people, but unaware of the sudden political changes in her nation. She has continually excelled against these great odds and this latest achievement offers a further demonstration of the dedication, talent, and potential of this amazing woman,” said Andrew Horsfall, Assistant Dean of International Programs.
Rasekh was one of two Fulbright students from Afghanistan and received two CALI awards for academic excellence, presented to the student with the highest grade in the class, in her Evidence Law and International Business Transactions courses. In the summer of 2022, she began working for the City of Syracuse with Leah Witmer L’10, Chief Administrative Law Judge. She will begin her Fellowship this fall and work for the HLA through September 2023.
Founded in 1949, HLA is a non-profit agency located in Syracuse serving as a primary provider of legal services to low-income individuals in Central New York. HLA promotes the right of every person to equal justice under the law by providing high-quality legal assistance to individuals and families in need.