Wolf Greenfield Achieves Pro Bono Victory in Asylum Case
Wolf Greenfield’s litigation team has secured asylum for a client who fled his country of origin in East Africa after being kidnapped and tortured by government agents for criticizing the ruling party’s record regarding human rights and democracy.
On December 5, 2011, following a hearing at which Wolf Greenfield associate Eric Rutt presented the client’s testimony about his kidnapping and torture, Judge Rodger C. Harris of the United States Immigration Court granted asylum in a ruling from the bench.
Earlier, the Wolf Greenfield team had obtained a work permit for the client – an unusual achievement since asylum applicants typically are not eligible to work while their petitions are pending. The permit enabled our client to support himself while waiting for the immigration court to decide his case.
For two years our client lived with the uncertainty that he might be returned to a country where he could again face torture or even be killed due to his advocacy for democratic change. It has been a privilege for us to work with such a courageous individual and to help him remain safely in America.
The Wolf Greenfield team that successfully handled this pro bono matter included Eric Rutt and Jeff O’Neill. For information on our pro bono program, please go here.
