Thanks to WCM’s pro bono efforts, a 32 year-old woman fleeing severe religious persecution in Pakistan was granted asylum by the Newark Asylum Office.

The decision resolves nearly a two-year-long-quest for permanent protection here in the United States.  The young woman, “SP,” faced religious persecution for being a Christian and possible death if she continued to practice her faith.  This case dates back to 2016, when a pregnant SP fled Pakistan after being beaten and threatened by religious extremists, leaving behind her husband and two young children.  In order to protect her own life and the life of her unborn child, SP managed to come to the United States to seek asylum.

Attorney Chelsea Rendelman and WCM staff provided pro bono legal services for this case by preparing the asylum application, crafting the affidavit, evaluating and compiling supporting evidence, researching country conditions, obtaining a US work authorization, and preparing for and attending the asylum interview.  Our submissions focused on our client’s past persecution as well as her well-founded fear of future persecution.  After an interview and hearing and careful consideration of all of the evidence, the Government agreed that SP could not safely return home or relocate within Pakistan.  SP was therefore granted indefinite asylum in the United States.

We will now focus our efforts on SP’s path to citizenship and securing asylum for SP’s husband and two young children who still live in Pakistan.  As lawyers, we feel an obligation to help those in need and we appreciate the opportunity to reunite this deserving family in order to help them move onto the next chapter of their lives.  We are thrilled with the outcome, knowing that this woman can now live in the United States in peace and out of harm’s way.

For more information about this post, or WCM’s pro bono activities, please e-mail ">Chelsea Rendelman, WCM’s Pro Bono Coordinator</a>.