Jaime* is a young man from Peru. While living in Peru, Jaime worked as a soccer referee and was an active member in the political scene of his hometown. During a general election for mayor of his hometown, Jaime voted for a candidate that was not the popular candidate, who went on to lose the election to the popular candidate. Following the election, he was hired by the new mayor to referee a soccer match and received threats stating that if he did not throw the game in favor of the team the mayor wanted to win, they would kill him.

Jaime did not heed their warning and shortly after the mayor’s desired team lost the game, he was labeled a traitor and was subsequently kidnapped. He was held against his will for a total of three days. His girlfriend at the time attempted to get footage of where he was last seen but was denied access to video footage of him. She went to the police and made a missing persons report. Shortly after she made the report, the kidnappers released Jaime. Believing that his life was still in danger, Jaime fled to the U.S.

Jaime 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.

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: Individual (merits) hearing is on June 5 in Annandale Immigration Court
• 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.