Client Story: Immigration Hope after Fleeing Persecution

Hakim* was severely persecuted in his home country for being gay. The ridicule and harassment he experienced were so severe that he was forced to drop out of school. The threat escalated and a mob, urged on by local leadership, murdered his father and his partner. Hakim himself barely escaped with his life. 

In desperation, Hakim sought help from the local police, even though they are also known to persecute members of the LGBTQ+ community. The police told him they could not help him and he had to leave the country to be safe.    

After much struggle Hakim finally reached the U.S. border where he requested asylum. He was detained and eventually released into the United States pending the result of his court case. Hakim ended up in Indiana and that is when he sought help from the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic.

“In January of this year we submitted a 25-page brief and an abundance of supporting evidence in the form of affidavits from Hakim and his family, local news reports, legal documents, and other evidence of the conditions in his home country,” said Kaitlin Willbanks, immigration attorney at the Clinic.

Hakim appeared at his final asylum hearing, where he bravely recounted to the Court everything he had suffered and answered questions from the Immigration Judge.

The Immigration Judge granted Hakim asylee status—a final lawful status here in the U.S. with permission to work. After one year, Hakim will become eligible to apply for lawful permanent residency and can eventually apply to naturalize as a U.S. citizen.

“Hakim has worked hard to build a life for himself here in Indiana, learning English as his third language and working different jobs,” stated Willbanks. “We are thankful that he can live free from fear of persecution here in the United States.”

Thank you for supporting the Clinic and helping us help others like Hakim in their time of greatest need! Make a #Spring4Justice gift now at https://justice.nclegalclinic.org/spring4justice23.

*Name has been changed to protect client confidentiality.