Ciro* is a young man from Venezuela. Ciro was detained after accidentally driving onto a military base while looking for a gas station in February in Washington DC. Ciro’s aunt was killed by her husband, Ciro’s uncle through marriage. Once Ciro found out about it, his uncle threatened to kill him too if he said anything. The uncle is in a gang and has access to all of Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. Ciro and his family have received many threats, including death threats. Ciro tried to relocate to Colombia and Ecuador, living there for 4 and 5 years, respectively. He had to flee these countries as well due to his persecutor’s gang involvement.

Ciro is eligible for fear-based protection from deportation that may include asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture and needs a pro bono team to represent him in his deportation hearing. He may also be eligible for derivative asylum status if his mother is granted asylum; her proceedings are pending.

All Amica Center matters placed with a pro bono team are robustly mentored by an Amica Center attorney and/or fully Accredited Representative with expertise in representing clients in immigration proceedings. Our mentoring program includes an opening meeting to discuss the scope and process of the matter, provision of samples, guidance on the law, review of draft filings, assistance with client contact, and guidance on preparation for interviews and hearings.

• Location: Caroline County, VA (detained) – facility allows in person visits and uses Virtual Attorney Visitation system.
• Timeline: Ciro’s individual (merits) hearing is scheduled for June 13 in Annandale Immigration Court. Amica Center will help an interested team obtain a continuance for attorney hearing prep as a condition of representation.
• Language: Spanish

Please contact our Managing Attorney for Pro Bono Coordination, Jennifer Grishkin, at jennifer@amicacenter.org if you are interested in taking this case.

*Pseudonyms are used to protect privacy.