On March 24, 1944, the Allied forces broke through the last 9 inches of dirt that separated them from remaining prisoners at Stalag Luft III — a German POW camp — and freedom. For a year, this tunnel had been carefully dug, but it was only one of three. The prisoners, led by Roger Bushell or “Big X,” dug two other tunnels; the three were code-named Tom, Dick, and Harry. Each tunnel was to stretch over 300 feet from the camps perimeter fence. Their plan to dig these three tunnels was to deter the German guards because they assumed that even if one or two tunnels were discovered, one would have a chance to be completed.
The prisoners had all odds stacked against them. Their huts were raised off the ground, which would make digging directly down from the huts’ floor nearly impossible to hide. The Nazis had also buried microphones 9 feet underground along the perimeter fence to catch any indication of digging. To make matters even worse, the camp was built upon sandy ground. Yet, despite these odds, the prisoners were not deterred.
When we look back at this event, in a time these Allied prisoners did not give up, it reminds us of the STERN Law team and our clients. In face of difficulties when things seem dire, we do not back down. Attorney Christina Champagne did not hesitate to put in everything she had when we learned about what happened to our new client, Jose. He was imprisoned upon arriving in the U.S., because his original lawyer, unfortunately, did not go the extra mile for him
After initially being deported for a criminal offense, Jose went through a lengthy process to be legally reunited with his family. He was finally granted a green card and eager to return to the U.S. and his loved ones. Unfortunately, immediately upon re-entry, he was detained at the airport by Customs and Border Patrol officers from a probation warrant in the criminal case.
Champagne went the extra mile to ensure Jose was not sitting in custody any longer than necessary and got the warrant removed right away. She personally drove up to the county probation office for a release document, took it to the client at the jail for signature, and went to the courthouse for the judge's signature that same day. Once it was faxed to the jail, Jose was finally released to his family in the United States.
Our team does not give up in our efforts to support and give voice to our clients. We will do everything in our power to make a stand for you and give you justice.
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