Sold as a Slave to US Family, Egyptian Girl Grows Up to Become a US Citizen
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. She 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.”
