Full & Limited Post-MPP Asylum Representation: Merits Cases
Over 13,000 asylum seekers previously subject to the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as “MPP” or “Remain in Mexico, are now in the United States and need representation for their asylum cases. The Justice Campaign now seeks volunteer attorneys to represent these clients in their asylum claims (full representation), and/or help individuals prepare documents for pro se submission to the immigration court (limited representation).
For full representation, this opportunity involves meeting with the client (can be done remotely), preparing the application for relief, collecting supporting evidence, and conducting a hearing on the application for relief in immigration court (currently remote due to the pandemic in many courts).
For limited representation, this opportunity involves meeting with the client (can be done remotely), preparing the application for relief, working with them to prepare a declaration and country conditions research, and potentially other work like helping prepare a pro se Motion to Change Venue or Employment Authorization Document. This can be done fully remotely.
Individuals in Need of Full Representation
Mr. AESL
Relief Sought: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection Under the Convention Against Torture
Location: California (San Diego Immigration Court)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: March 15, 2023 (Master Calendar Hearing)
Mr. AESL is a man in his 30s from Nicaragua. He fled persecution in Nicaragua based on his political opinions and participation in political demonstrations. Mr. AESL is seeking pro bono assistance with his merits asylum case.
Mr. JARQ
Relief Sought: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection Under the Convention Against Torture
Location: Kentucky (Memphis Immigration Court)
Country of Origin: Cuba
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: September 28, 2023 (Master Calendar Hearing)
Mr. JARQ is a man in his 30s from Cuba. He was accused of being a counter-revolutionary while in Cuba, and had trouble finding employment due to these accusations. He was was threatened by police for refusing to participate in Cuban elections, and left Cuba as a result of threats. He was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint while in Mexico, and was also kidnapped. Mr. JARQ was previously in MPP and is now living in Kentucky. He is seeking pro bono assistance with his asylum matter.
Ms. JR
Relief Sought: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection Under the Convention Against Torture
Location: South Carolina (Immigration Court Unknown)
Country of Origin: Guatemala
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: Pending
Ms. JR is a woman in her 30s from Guatemala. Her husband was murdered by narco-traffickers, and she subsequently faced harassment from the people who killed him. She moved around within Guatemala but the harassment and stalking persisted. She was attacked once by armed men. Ms. JR left Guatemala for safety reasons, and is now living in South Carolina. She was previously in MPP, and is seeking pro bono assistance with her asylum case.
Mr. JRM
Relief Sought: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection Under the Convention Against Torture
Location: Kentucky (Memphis Immigration Court)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: May 3, 2023 (Master Calendar Hearing)
Mr. JRM is a man in his late 30s from Nicaragua. He is seeking asylum because he was targeted for political persecution due to his opposition to the Nicaraguan government. He was attacked and harassed by members of the ruling party and police officers, who continued to harass him after he moved to a different city, eventually causing him to lose his job. He was also arrested and interrogated, and his complaint to the Human Rights Commission was ignored. Mr. JRM was previously in the Migrant Protection Protocols and is now living in Kentucky; his case is venued out of Memphis. Mr. JRM seeks pro bono representation for his asylum claim.
Ms. MYCV, Mr. AHC, and Ms. NHC
Relief Sought: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection Under the Convention Against Torture
Location: North Carolina (Charlotte Immigration Court)
Country of Origin: Guatemala
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: November 22, 2022 (Master Calendar Hearing)
Ms. MYCV, Mr. AHC, and Ms. NHC are seeking asylum due to the abuse Ms. MYCV experienced by her husband for three years in Guatemala. Ms. MYCV was also threatened by her husband to have her children taken from her should she go to the police. Ms. MYCV, Mr. AHC, and Ms. NHC were previously in the Migrant Protection Protocols and is currently living in North Carolina where their case is venued. Ms. MYCV, Mr. AHC, and Ms. NHC seek pro bono representation on their asylum claim.
Mr. JMS
Relief Sought: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection Under the Convention Against Torture
Location: Georgia (Atlanta Immigration Court)
Country of Origin: El Salvador
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: Pending
Mr. JMS is a man in his early-40s from El Salvador. Mr. JMS has been kidnapped, beaten, and threatened by armed members of two rival gangs as Mr. JMS is an ex-police officer. The government has failed to protect him. Mr. JMS left El Salvador for safety reasons and is now living in Georgia. He was previously in MPP and is seeking pro bono assistance with his asylum case.
Ms. MPM
Relief Sought: Motion to Reopen
Location: Florida
Country of Origin: Cuba
Language: Spanish
Next Hearing: N/A
Ms. MPM is a woman in her mid-20s from Cuba. She is seeking asylum because she and her family were targeted for political persecution after refusing to attend pro-government meetings. They were detained, beaten, and threatened, and the government shut down their family business. Ms. MPM got a different job, but was fired when she refused to give part of her earnings to the government. Ms. MPM was previously in the Migrant Protection Protocols, and she was ordered removed after she did not attend a court date because she was terrified the judge was going to send her back to Juarez, where she did not feel safe. She is now living in Florida, but her parents who fled Cuba with her are still in Mexico. She developed psoriasis as a result of the stress of being forced to live in Mexico in unsafe conditions for two years. Ms. MPM seeks pro bono representation for a motion to reopen her asylum case.
Individuals in Need of Limited Representation
New Cases being collected from partner sites. In the interim, please email the Pro Bono Coordination team at ProbonoCoordinator@immcouncil.org for cases needing help today.
These summaries are not for any private use or publication.
Have Questions?
Contact: Pro Bono Coordination team
Immigration Justice Campaign
probonocoordinator@immcouncil.org