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T. owned and operated a small store in El Salvador for which MS-13 demanded half of her earnings as "rent." After refusing to pay, the gang threatened them. M.'s father is also a gang member and threatens to harm both of them if they do not return to him. NIJC filed T. and M.’s applications for asylum with the immigration court.  Because these applications were filed more than one year after T. and M. entered the U.S., pro bono attorneys will need to argue that they merit an exception to the one-year filing deadline for asylum.   All affidavits and supporting materials to the case will be due 15 days prior to their merits hearing in July 2020.   

T. was a prominent member of an opposition political party and human rights group in Uganda. In early 2018, the government detained, tortured and threatened him for a total of 7 months. During this time, military police also killed his wife and children.  Finally able to flee, T. arrived at the United States-Mexico border in September 2019 and was forced to be on a wait list at the border. Once allowed across, NIJC timely filed T.’s application for asylum with USCIS in March 2020.  All affidavits and supporting materials to T.’s case will likely be due two weeks prior to his interview at the asylum office, which will likely occur in 4-6 weeks.

G. a gay man from Honduras was sexually, emotionally, and physically abused by multiple people from a young age. In 2018, after being beaten and threatened to death a hospital refused G. treatment and he attempted suicide. G. has fled Honduras now three times and seeks asylum in the U.S.  As he is detained, pro bono attorneys can expect to work quickly. His asylum application is due on April 3 and his merits hearing is scheduled on May 13, 2020. Telephonic communication is possible at Otay Mesa, CA.