Legal Document Drafting for an Immigration Law Firm

Case Overview

Our client, a prominent U.S.-based immigration law firm, was representing a seasoned journalist from a politically unstable country in a complex asylum case.

The journalist faced severe persecution, including escalating threats and physical assaults, after exposing government corruption. Forced to flee to the United States, the journalist sought asylum to ensure safety and protection.

This case required navigating both affirmative and defensive immigration processes due to the client’s complex entry circumstances.

Eternity Paralegal Services’ Solution & Strategy:

• In-Depth Analysis of Credible Fear Interview (CFI):
  Our immigration paralegal, with extensive experience, conducted a meticulous review of the CFI transcript to identify areas where the client’s statements appeared contradictory or unclear. By cross-referencing the interview details with the client’s initial declaration, we identified discrepancies that needed to be addressed. We developed a tailored strategy to prepare the client for future hearings, emphasizing the importance of clarity, consistency, and confidence in recounting their story.
• Client Preparation for Asylum Interviews:
  Conducted multiple mock interviews with the client to simulate the asylum interview process, ensuring they were well-prepared to provide clear, concise, and consistent testimonies. Educated the client on the legal framework governing asylum in the U.S., specifically focusing on the definition of persecution under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 208 and the standards for proving fear of future persecution.
• Drafting Declarations and Affidavits:
  Leveraging our expertise in immigration law, we drafted a detailed personal declaration for the client, aligning it with the requirements set forth under U.S. asylum laws. Structured the declaration to highlight key elements of the asylum claim, including:
  • Political Opinion: Demonstrated that the client’s journalistic work was perceived as an expression of political opposition, leading to targeted persecution.
  • Past Persecution: Documented specific incidents, such as threats, physical assaults, and government surveillance that illustrated past persecution.
  • Well-Founded Fear of Future Persecution: Highlighted the continuing threats faced by the client’s colleagues, showing a reasonable fear of future persecution if returned.
• Gathering Supporting Evidence:
  • Utilized our legal research skills to gather country condition reports from credible sources such as the U.S. Department of State, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. These reports illustrated the systemic suppression of press freedom and targeting of journalists in the client’s home country.
  • Collaborated with the client to secure affidavits from former colleagues who had fled the country, which supported the client’s claims of persecution.
  • Coordinated with an independent expert on press freedoms to provide an expert affidavit confirming that the client’s work put them at significant risk due to the hostile environment for journalists in their home country.
• Strategic Submission and Legal Argumentation:
  • We prepared a comprehensive asylum application package, ensuring all evidence was meticulously organized and annotated to align with U.S. asylum laws.
  • Structured legal arguments in the cover letter and legal memorandum to address the “well-founded fear” standard under INA § 101(a)(42) and establish a clear nexus between the persecution and the client’s political opinion.
  • Included a psychological evaluation from a licensed professional that documented the client’s trauma and anxiety resulting from persecution, further strengthening the case.

Outcome:

Thanks to thorough preparation, strategic legal argumentation, and a well-documented case file, the immigration judge granted asylum to the client. The strong declaration, coupled with robust supporting evidence, successfully overcame the initial doubts raised during the Credible Fear Interview.

The client was able to remain in the United States, where they have since continued their work advocating for human rights and press freedoms.