CASE: Asylum

CLIENT: Chinese

LOCATION: Cleveland, OH

Our client, a Chinese asylum seeker in Cleveland, OH, retained us on January 3, 2018 to help her with her asylum case. She came to the United States in January 2017 with a B-2 visitor’s visa from China. She wanted to seek asylum relief with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service.

While she was in China, she was persecuted and mistreated by the government based on her Christianity belief. She was also persecuted based on her medical conditions as well. She is scared to go back home to China, fearing that she will be persecuted again.

We helped her to prepare for her asylum application, going over several drafts until her claim was as detailed as possible. Names, addresses, dates, and all possible issues relevant to her asylum claim were addressed. We also asked her to provide supporting documents corroborating her claims. Our firm also did some research on articles pertaining to her particular claim, and the type of persecution that Chinese Christian would suffer.

The asylum application was filed on January 9, 2018 which was within one year of her entry to the United States.  Thereafter, the CIS issued an interview notice for her asylum case, scheduled for May 3, 2018 in Cleveland, OH USCIS Asylum Office. Prior to her interview, our office prepared her thoroughly for her case at our office to make sure she was able to address questions the asylum officer would ask. Attorney Sung Hee (Glen) Yu from our office also accompanied our client at her interview.

On July 12, 2018, the USCIS approved our client’s asylum case. She is now an asylee and will be eligible to apply for permanent resident status in one year.  

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CASE: Asylee Adjustment of Status
CLIENT: Chinese
LOCATION: Albany, NY

Our client came to the United States from China on an F-1 student visa, and through our legal assistance, he was granted asylee status in December 2016 at the New York Immigration Court.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, an asylee may apply for lawful permanent resident status after he or she has been physically present in the United States for a period of one year after the date he or she was granted asylum status. Around December 2017, one year after he got his asylee status in the United States, our client contacted our office again and sought legal assistance for his adjustment of status.  We prepared and filed his I-485 Adjustment of Status Application on December 19, 2017. Everything went smoothly and the receipt notice and fingerprint appointment all came on time.

Prior to the interview, we thoroughly prepared our client via conference calls. On July 11, 2018, our client was interviewed at the Latham, New York USCIS Field Office. Attorney Sung Hee (Glen) Yu accompanied him at the interview as well.  The interview went well, and after the interview, the USCIS approved our client’s Adjustment of Status application. He is now a permanent resident of the United States.

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CASE: Asylum

CLIENT: Zimbabwean

LOCATION: Washington DC

Our client, a Zimbabwean asylum seeker from Washington D.C. retained us on August 25, 2015 for her asylum case. She wanted to seek asylum relief with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service.

While she was in Zimbabwe, she actively participated in various democracy support demonstrations and projects. Persecution occurred due to her political opinion and the political affiliation of her uncle and family members. She is scared to go back home to Zimbabwe, fearing that she will be persecuted again.

We helped her to prepare for her asylum application, going over several drafts until her claim was as detailed as possible. Names, addresses, dates, and all possible issues relevant to her asylum claim were addressed. We also asked her to provide supporting documents corroborating her claims. Our firm also did some research on articles pertaining to her particular claim, and the type of persecution that members of anti-government political activists suffer in Zimbabwe.

The asylum application was filed in October 19, 2015. On January 25, 2018, the CIS issued an interview notice for her asylum case, scheduled for February 8, 2018 in Arlington, VA USCIS Asylum Office. Prior to her interview, our office prepared her thoroughly for her case over the conference calls to make sure she was able to address questions the asylum officer would ask. Attorney Sung Hee (Glen) Yu from our office also accompanied our client at her interview.

Eventually, on February 22, 2018, the USCIS Arlington Asylum Office approved our client’s asylum case.

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CASE: Asylum in Immigration Court

CLIENT: Jamaican

LOCATION: New Orleans Immigration Court

Our Jamaican client came to the United States on a B-2 visa in September 2013.  He was persecuted in Jamaica, and was scared to go back home to Jamaica, fearing that he will be persecuted on account of his social group. Thus, within one year of his entry, he filed an asylum application (Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and relief under the CAT) to the USCIS with our office’s legal assistance.  He was interviewed at the Asylum Office in Lyndhurst, NJ in May 2014, but his case was referred to an immigration judge. The Notice to Appear was issued and our client was placed in removal proceedings.  

After the case was referred to the Immigration Court, our client retained our office again. His court case originated at the Philadelphia Immigration Court, but after he moved to Louisiana, the venue was changed to the New Orleans Immigration Court.

We helped him prepare his asylum application, going over several drafts until his claim was as detailed as possible. Names, addresses, dates, and all possible issues relevant to his asylum claim were addressed. We also asked him to provide supporting documents corroborating his claim, some of which were letters from Jamaica and friends in the U.S. who were part of his social group. Our firm also did some research on articles pertaining to his particular claim, and the type of persecution that members of his social group suffer in Jamaica.

Our client’s individual hearing was scheduled on February 6, 2017, at the New Orleans Immigration Court. Partner and Attorney Sung Hee (Glen) Yu represented our client at the hearing. During the hearing, our client testified credibly as to his past persecution in Jamaica and likelihood of future persecution. On February 24, 2017, the Immigration Judge issued a written decision and granted asylum relief for our client. He is now an asylee who will get his work permit soon and will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in one year.

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CASE: Asylum in Immigration Court

CLIENT: Chinese

LOCATION: New York Immigration Court

Our Chinese client came to the United States on a F-1 visa in July 2012.  He was persecuted and harmed in China based on his political opinion and political activism, so within one year of his entry, he filed an asylum application (Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and relief under the CAT) to the USCIS with our office’s legal assistance.  He was interviewed at the Asylum Office in Lyndhurst, NJ in February 2013, but his case was referred to an immigration judge. The Notice to Appear was issued and our client was placed in removal proceedings.  

After the case was referred to the Immigration Court, our client retained our office again.

Our client was scared to go back home to China, fearing that he will be persecuted based on his political opinion and his past political speech. While our client was in China, he made political speech in public and expressed his ideas regarding democracy in China. As a result, he was arrested and detained by the Chinese police and has experienced harm and mistreatments in numerous occasions.  

We helped him prepare his asylum application and represented him in immigration court hearings. We also asked him to provide supporting documents corroborating his claim, some of which were a letter from his father, colleagues and friends in China and medical documents of our client’s psychological health. Our firm also did some research on articles related to his claim, and the type of persecution he will experience in China if sent back.

Our client’s individual hearing was scheduled on December 19, 2016, at the New York Immigration Court. Attorney Sung Hee (Glen) Yu represented our client at the hearing. During the hearing, our client testified credibly as to his past persecution in China and likelihood of future persecution. After the hearing, the Immigration Judge granted asylum relief for our client. He is now an asylee who will get his work permit soon and will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in one year.

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CASE: Asylum in Immigration Court

CLIENT: Cameroonian

LOCATION: Cleveland Immigration Court

Our Cameroonian client came to the United States on a B-2 visitor’s visa in November 2013 with her minor daughter.  She was persecuted and harmed in Cameroon based on her political opinion and political activism, so within one year of her entry, she filed an asylum application (Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and relief under the CAT) to the USCIS.  She was interviewed at the Asylum Office, but her case was referred to an immigration judge. The Notice to Appear was issued and our client was placed in removal proceedings.  The USCIS thought that our client’s testimony was different from that of her written statement.

After the case was referred to the Immigration Court, our client contacted our office in early January of 2015, and eventually retained our office on January 20, 2015.  

Our client was scared to go back home to Cameroon, fearing that she will be persecuted based on her political opinion and her past participation with human rights activist groups. While our client was a student in Cameroon, she became a human rights activist involved in educating and informing fellow students on campus for their basic fundamental rights. Our client organized some student movement activities, joined student marches against government’s actions and participated in political activities.  As a result, she was arrested and detained multiple times by the Cameroonian police and has experienced harm and mistreatments in numerous occasions.  Moreover, her father was arrested and detained due to his political opinion.

We helped her prepare her asylum application and represented her in immigration court hearings. We also asked her to provide supporting documents corroborating her claim, some of which were a letter from her family members, colleagues and friends in Cameroon, Cameroonian medical documents of our client’s injury, and her membership certification with the different organizations. Our firm also did some research on articles related to her claim, and the type of persecution she will experience in Cameroon if sent back.

Our client’s individual hearing was scheduled on July 24, 2015 at the Cleveland Immigration Court. Attorney Sung Hee (Glen) Yu represented our client at the hearing. During the hearing, our client testified credibly as to her past persecution in Cameroon and likelihood of future persecution.

However, during the cross-examination, the DHS attorney raised an issue of “firm resettlement.” Congress has mandated by statute numerous exceptions and exclusions to the grant of asylum, one being that the applicant has been firmly resettled in another country prior to arriving in the U.S. 8 C.F.R. §§ 2208.13(c)(2)(i)(B). The applicant will be deemed firmly resettled if, prior to arriving in the U.S., he or she entered another country with, or while in that country received, an offer of permanent resident status, citizenship, or some other type of permanent resettlement. 8 C.F.R. § 208.15. The offer must be must be for permanent, not temporary, residence in a third country where the applicant lived peacefully and without restriction. Maharaj v. Gonzales, 450 F.3d 961, 969 (9th Cir. 2006).

In fact, prior to her entry to the U.S., our client lived in Denmark for one year. The DHS alleged that she had a permanent residency in Denmark. Nevertheless, our office filed the brief and supporting documents. In the brief, we argued that our client’s visa and “residence cards” in Denmark were all indications of a temporary status, and based on she not being able to meet the permanent residency requirements, she is clearly was never “firmly resettled”, nor was a permanent resident, nor was offered permanent residency in Denmark.

Eventually, on November 25, 2016, the Immigration Judge granted asylum relief for our client. She is now an asylee who will get her work permit in two weeks and will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in one year.

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CASE: Asylee Adjustment of Status
CLIENT: Saudi Arabian
LOCATION: Dallas, Texas

Our client came to the United States from Saudi Arabia with a B-2 visitor’s visa, and through our legal assistance, he won his asylum application in December 2014.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, an asylee may apply for lawful permanent resident status after he or she has been physically present in the United States for a period of one year after the date he or she was granted asylum status. Around February 2016, one year after he got his asylee status in the United States, our client contacted our office again and sought legal assistance for his adjustment of status.  We prepared and filed his I-485 Adjustment of Status Application on March 30, 2016. Everything went smoothly and the receipt notice and fingerprint appointment all came on time. On June 9, 2016, the USCIS approved our client’s Adjustment of Status application. He is now a permanent resident of the United States.

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CASE: Asylee Adjustment of Status
CLIENT: Chinese
LOCATION: Cleveland, OH

Our client came to the United States from China with a B-2 visa, and through our legal assistance, he was granted asylum in April 2014 by the USCIS.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, an asylee may apply for lawful permanent resident status after he or she has been physically present in the United States for a period of one year after the date he or she was granted asylum status. Around April 2015, one year after he got his asylee status in the United States, our client contacted our office again and sought legal assistance for his family members’ adjustment of status along with his application.  We prepared and filed his I-485 Adjustment of Status Application on July 15, 2015. Everything went smoothly and the receipt notice and fingerprint appointment all came on time. On December 8, 2015, the USCIS approved our client’s Adjustment of Status application. He is now a permanent resident of the United States. His family members also got their green cards.

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CASE: Asylum

CLIENT: Saudi Arabian

LOCATION: Dallas for Client / Houston for Asylum Office

Our client retained us in September 2014 to help him with his asylum case. He is from Saudi Arabia living in Dallas Texas. He is scared to go back home to Saudi Arabia, fearing that he will be persecuted on account of his social group as gay / homosexual.

We helped him prepare his asylum application, going over several drafts until his claim was as detailed as possible. Names, addresses, dates, and all possible issues relevant to his asylum claim were addressed. We also asked him to provide supporting documents corroborating his claim, some of which were letters from Saudi Arabia and friends in the U.S. who were part of his social group. Our firm also did some research on articles pertaining to his particular claim, and the type of persecution that members of his social group suffer in Saudi Arabia.

The asylum application was filed on October 22, 2014. On November 20, 2014, the CIS issued an interview notice for his asylum case, scheduled for December 8, 2014 in Houston, Texas. Prior to his interview, our office prepared him thoroughly for his case, going over practice interviews by phone to make sure he is able to address questions the asylum officer would ask. On December 8, 2014, attorney Sung Hee (Glen) Yu from our office accompanied our client at his interview in Houston Texas. The interview went well and our client was able to answer all questions accordingly. There were no requests for evidence prior to nor after the interview. Everything went smoothly.

On December 22, 2014, the CIS in Houston approved our client’s asylum case. He is now an asylee and will be eligible to apply for permanent resident status in one year. He also would obtain his work permit in about two weeks.

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CASE: Asylum in Immigration Court

CLIENT: Syrian

LOCATION: Cleveland Immigration Court

Our Syrian clients (husband and wife) came to the United States in August 2012. They are Christians who have lived in Syria, and they came to the United States since they were in fear in Syria.

With help from their previous attorney, our clients filed their I-589 asylum application to the USCIS in November 2012.  Our client was threatened and was in danger in Syria based on his religion. However, after the USCIS asylum interview, their asylum cases were referred to the Cleveland Immigration Court.  A Notice to Appear was issued and our clients were placed in removal proceedings. After they got the Notice to Appear and hearing notices for their Master Calendar hearing, they contacted and retained our firm in October 2013.

Our clients were scared to go back home to Syria, fearing that they will be persecuted based on their religion. While our clients were in Syria, our clients’ family members were kidnapped. Our client also received some threats.

We supplemented the asylum applications represented them in immigration court hearings. We also asked them to provide supporting documents corroborating their claim, some of which were a letter from their family members, colleagues and friends in Syria and in the United States.  Our firm also did some research on articles related to their claims, and the type of persecution they will experience in Syria if sent back.

Our clients’ individual hearing was scheduled on October 27, 2014 at the Cleveland Immigration Court. Attorney Sung Hee Yu from our firm prepared them extensively twice. He also represented our clients at their Individual Hearing.

During the hearing, our clients testified credibly as to their past persecution in Syria and likelihood of future persecution. After the hearing, the Immigration Judge granted asylum relief for our clients. They are now asylees who will get their work permits in two weeks and will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in one year.

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