Episode #298: Maia Storm is an immigration attorney with over 25 years’ experience specializing in assisting refugees, particularly those from Myanmar. She began her career helping prisoners facing long detentions or deportation, before opening her own firm to serve the growing Burmese refugee community in Michigan. Her focus shifted after the 2021 Myanmar coup, as she has since worked tirelessly to assist individuals fleeing political persecution and seeking asylum in the United States. Maia’s clients have often been involved in anti-coup activities and fear being arrested or conscripted back home.

Navigating the U.S. immigration system is a grueling, years-long process that often leaves refugees in a state of uncertainty. Maia advocates for these clients, helping them apply for asylum or temporary protected status (TPS), often overcoming significant barriers like language difficulties, lack of documentation, and the emotional toll of fleeing a violent regime. While the legal process can be complex and bureaucratic, Maia’s passion for her clients’ stories and her personal commitment to their safety make her a vital resource.

Despite the system’s challenges, Maia has built a strong rapport with her clients, guiding them through the difficult asylum application process and preparing them for their interviews and hearings. She emphasizes the importance of personalizing their stories to make them more credible, to help overcome bureaucratic red tape. Asylum cases are never straightforward, but Maia’s approach ensures that each client’s voice is heard. She remains steadfast in her mission to offer a lifeline to those fleeing violence and oppression, helping them find safety and a future in the United States.

“Most of these people have been active in some kind of anti-coup activity,” she says. “And they may even have warrants out for their arrest! So I try to help as many people as I can."​