Estevan is a 44-year-old man who is afraid to return to El Salvador because of past persecution by gangs and fear of torture under the State of Exception (SOE) due to being labeled a gang member by ICE. Estevan was kidnapped and beaten by gangs when he was deported to El Salvador in 2017, after which he fled to the United States. He fears he will be immediately imprisoned in El Salvador due to this gang label and because he has many tattoos which are not gang related but cover most of his body including his face. He has some ties to a gang from growing up in an area that was controlled by the gang and hanging out with gang members, but he was not deeply involved. A wealth of country conditions evidence, including U.S. State Dept reports, amply supports Estevan’s fears about what might happen to him under the SOE if he returns to El Salvador.

In Estevan’s initial asylum proceedings, the immigration judge denied him relief on the ground of insufficient nexus between his family and his persecution by gangs. The case wound its way through appeals at the BIA and the Fourth Circuit and was ultimately remanded to the immigration court  for a new hearing before a new judge that will include new fact finding and apply new, favorable precedent. Estevan has a conviction for drug possession that may make him eligible only for Convention Against Torture protection (at least according to DHS). Estevan needs a attorney to represent him in his new immigration court hearing scheduled for November 25 in Annandale, VA, before IJ Batko-Taylor. Amica Center will help an interested team obtain a continuance for trial prep as a prerequisite to representation.

All Amica Center matters placed with a pro bono team are robustly mentored by a Amica Center attorney. 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: detained in Caroline County, VA. Attorneys can visit in person and/or use virtual attorney visitation system.
• Timeline: Individual Hearing is on November 25 in Annandale, VA. Amica Center will help an interested team obtain a continuance for trial prep.
• Language: Estevan speaks English fluently and has been proceeding in court in English.

For more information about this case, please contact Jennifer Grishkin, Managing Attorney for Pro Bono Coordination, at jennifer@amicacenter.org. 

*Pseudonyms are used to protect privacy 

*Pseudonyms are used to protect privacy.