Asylum and Immigration
Our lawyers are proud to navigate complex asylum and immigration law to help our brave clients write the next chapter of their lives. In 2023, an Afghan female judge, four university students, and a military pilot were all formally approved for resettlement more than two years after the fall of Kabul. Other clients found refuge after fleeing persecution based on gender, politics, or religion. These are stories of courage, tenacity, and the indomitable human spirit.
VIDEO
Third of Four Students Secures Asylum
Partners Zach Cohen and Todd C. Toral discuss their efforts to help the third of four students who escaped from Afghanistan secure a new home in the United States with the grant of asylum.
February 23, 2023Long Overdue, Citizenship Granted
Ana Garcia Vazquez became a US citizen after our successful lawsuit compelled the government to adjudicate her application.
Team: Partner Wade Thomson, Client Contracts Counsel Michael DeMar, Associate Ariana Kanavy, and counsel from the National Immigrant Justice Center. The matter was among many handled through our partnership with McDonald’s.
March 31, 2023Asylum Granted for First of Four Students who Fled Afghanistan
The first of four clients, who were students at the Asian University for Women when Kabul fell to the Taliban, was granted asylum in the United States.
Team: Partner Michael Ross, Associate Emily Merrifield, and Client Contracts Counsel Michael DeMar. Former Partner Gay Siegel also worked on the case.
June 16, 2023Second Student from Kabul Secures Asylum
Our client is thrilled to stay in the United States, where she is a college student and recently started a job at an immigrants’ rights nonprofit.
Team: Partner Reid Schar and Associates Tal Ratner Solovey and Sophia Cai.
July 2023Afghan Judge Resettles in United Kingdom
A female Afghan judge who fled after the fall of Kabul in 2021 resettled in the United Kingdom and reunited with family members there. Watch a short video about this important work here.
Team: Partner Lucy Blake, Special Counsel Michaela Croft, Associates Karam Jardaneh and Sol Gelsomino, Legal Secretary Lee-Ann Drotsky, and former Paralegals Nadia Adou and Neha Patel.
July 21, 2023Immigration Program Wins FOIA Victory
On behalf of the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program, we won summary judgment granting Freedom of Information Act requests related to immigrants in solitary confinement.
Team: Partner David Bitkower, Special Counsel Andrew Hoeg, Associates Caroline Darmody and Aime Joo, former Associate Amanda Azarian, and Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program Co-Counsel Sabi Ardalan and Phil Torrey.
August 2, 2023New York Mayor Honors Asylum Center Supporters
Jenner was among 30 law firms and organizations honored for supporting New York’s innovative new Asylum Application Help Center.
Team: Partner Michael Ross and Paralegal Jiwon Kim.
August 31, 2023“Friendly Confines” Welcomes New Citizen
Gina Bien Aime’s naturalization process ended with her taking the oath at the “Friendly Confines” of Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
Team: Associate Tae Kim and former Of Counsel Carmen Fosco and Exelon Assistant General Counsel Meghan Sciortino. Former Jenner Partner Michael Guerra also served on the team during his time at the firm.
September 12, 2023Third of Four Students Secures Asylum
The third of four students who escaped from Afghanistan secured a new home in the United States with the grant of asylum.
Team: Partners Zach Cohen, Laurie Edelstein, and Todd C. Toral, and Associate Sam White.
October 2023 Client Celebrates Long-Awaited Green Card
After seven years of representation, Karol received her green card.
Team: Partners Andrew Lichtman and Michael Ross and in-house partner Nicole De Bello, formerly at GE Capital.
October 17, 2023 Final Student Who Fled Kabul Wins
Our representation of four students who fled Kabul ended successfully when our final client won asylum.
Team: Partner Michael Ross, Associate Jessica Sawadogo, and former Associate Jonathan Steinberg.
October 25, 2023Amicus Brief Urges Proper Notice
We filed an amici curiae brief in the US Supreme Court highlighting the importance of full notice to noncitizen immigrants in removal proceedings.
Team: Partner Matt Price and Client Contracts Counsel Michael DeMar.
October 30, 2023 Asylum Granted for Afghan Air Force Pilot
Our client, a former Afghan Air Force pilot who faced persecution by the Taliban, was granted asylum.
Team: Partner Jason Hipp, Associate Sean Sheely, the Digital Document Center staff, and former Paralegal Caroline Giberson.