In his own country, Arsim Prokshi was a target.

Especially with a last name like that, since his father and brother both served in the Kosovo army.

“If I tell them my real name, some police kill me,” Prokshi said. “Too many people kill.”

That's why the current Peachtree City resident was forced to change his name. Blerim Blakaj wouldn't draw as much suspicion as Arsim Prokshi.

The trick worked, and Prokshi eventually fled to America, escaping war-torn Kosovo almost a year ago. He left behind his family, his friends and his fiance, Lujeta. He abandoned his second year of law school, coming to America with nothing but the clothes on his back.

But America's judicial system was able to return to Prokshi something he left behind in the village of Drghica: his name.

It happened in Fayette County Superior Court Friday morning after a brief hearing before Chief Judge Ben J. Miller.

The judge's approval was a huge relief to Prokshi. He had worried days before that the judge might take another action entirely.

“Wednesday and Thursday, I think I go to judge and he say, `You go back to Kosovo,'” Prokshi said.

But the nightmare didn't come true, as Judge Miller signed off on what he later called “one of the few good things a judge can do for someone.”

“He was very nervous. He didn't know what to expect,” said Andrea Bowman, a corporate attorney for Delta Air Lines who volunteered her time to represent Prokshi. She is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Peachtree City, which sponsored one of the Kosovo families that sought refuge in Peachtree City.

In fact, Prokshi was originally flown to Las Vegas after being processed with other refugees when he first set foot on American soil. His best friend, Mili, came to Peachtree City and tracked down Prokshi, encouraging him to move here for a better chance of getting a job.

Both now work at Hoshizaki, and Mili recently got a substantial promotion and raise for passing a test. Of the refugees in Prokshi's apartment Wednesday evening, Mili is easily the most fluent with English.

Mili also knows Prokshi well enough to vouch that his best friend misses Lujeta in a terrible way. “He tells me everything,” Mili says.

These days, the only contact between Prokshi and Lujeta is a phone call once every two weeks.

Don't feel sorry for Prokshi, though. He has already flown back home for a visit with his parents after not seeing his father for eight years.

Prokshi is taking two English classes a week so he can stay here, earn his green card and eventually become a lawyer.

The green card will also allow him to bring his bride-to-be to the States. Perhaps most importantly, it will bear something Prokshi is most proud of: his real name.

Not bad for someone who could have died because of who he was.

“I am so happy,” Prokshi said as the expression of content on his face crossed all language barriers.

America may be just the place for his dreams to come true.

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