Charles Foster (attorney)

Foster played a pivotal role in preventing Houston ballet performer Li Cunxin from being forcibly repatriated to Communist China. After performing for the Houston Ballet, Cunxin decided that he wished to stay in the United States. Cunxin, aware of the potentially severe political implications of this action, hired Foster as his immigration attorney. Upon informing officials at the Chinese Consulate of his decision, Cunxin was forcibly detained and prepared for repatriation back to China. Foster worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep his client in the United States, contacting senior U.S. officials and convincing a Houston federal judge to issue a restraining order.^[6] After a 21-hour ordeal, Cunxin was ultimately allowed to stay in the United States at the expense of his Chinese citizenship.

Foster was born in Galveston, Texas. He earned both his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor at the University of Texas at Austin. He is active in several community organizations, including serving on the boards of InterFaith Ministries, the Houston Ballet, the Hobby Center for Public Policy, the International Institute of Education – Southern Region, and Neighborhood Centers, Inc. He was recognized with the Refugee Services Humanitarian Award in November 2010.^[7]

Foster holds and has held a number of positions at professional and philanthropic organizations. He is the former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association,^[8] the founding chairman of the State Bar of Texas Immigration and Nationality Law Section,^[9] past chair of the American Bar Association Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law,^[10] and past vice chairman of the Houston Bar Foundation.^[11] He is board member of Americans for Immigration Reform,^[12] vice chairman of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S. China Relations, board member of the Houston Ballet,^[13] board member of the Holocaust Museum - Houston, board member for the Hobby School of Public Affairs,^[14] executive committee of the Greater Houston Partnership (and former chairman of its Economic Development and World Trade Divisions),^[15] board member and past chairman of the Asia Society – Texas Center,^[16] former trustee at the Asia Society – New York,^[17] and board member and past chairman of the Inter Faith Ministries of Greater Houston. Foster is also past chairman of the Houston International Festival,^[18] and former president of the Houston Forum and Houston Club. He also initiated and co-chaired the George H. W. Bush^[19] and James Baker^[20] monuments in Sesquicentennial Park, Houston.

Foster currently resides in Houston, Texas. He is married with four children.

• Foster, Charles and David Goldstein. Charles Foster Oral History, Houston Oral History Project, May 28, 2008.