Fadi* is a young man from Pakistan. He and 13 other people were on a ship heading from Iran to Somalia as part of a larger operation to transport missile parts. In 2024, U.S. Navy forces interdicted the ship in the Arabian Sea. U.S. forces discovered and seized what they believed to be Iranian-made advanced weaponry, including critical components used in missiles. Fadi, along with the other crew members, were transferred onto a U.S. ship and interviewed. 10 of the crew members, including Fadi, were extradited to the U.S. to serve as material witness for the case against the ship’s captain and 3 other defendants. During the interdiction, the captain threatened crewmembers that if they did not lie on his behalf, they would “face the consequences” upon their return to Pakistan. The captain remains in criminal custody pending his trial, but the 10 witnesses have since been de-designated as material witnesses and transferred to ICE custody for deportation proceedings.

Fadi fears the owner of the ship would target him for his testimony and has connections with the police and intelligence agencies. Fadi stated that the police had gone to his home looking for him and he is afraid to return to his home country in fear of police torture and punishment for his testimony. Fadi shared that he cannot breathe through his nose and needs surgery. He has not heard back from the detention center’s medical facility about treatment options and stated the medications he is taking do not work.

Fadi is eligible for fear-based protection from deportation that may include asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and needs a pro bono team to represent him in his deportation hearing. A pro bono team who represents him should be prepared for DHS to argue that he is ineligible for asylum under the “material support” bar because the ship he worked on was allegedly supplying weapons to Houthis. Regardless, Fadi would still be eligible for CAT protection.

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 Detention Facility – facility allows in person visits and uses Virtual Attorney Visitation system.
•  Timeline: Individual (merits) hearing on August 21 in Annandale Immigration Court.
• Language: Pashto

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.