Mateo* is a man from Nicaragua. After declining to campaign for the Nicaraguan government, he was detained and later harassed by the government. He was threatened to be detained again if he did not follow their rules and help them. After these threats, he fled the country to the United States and the Nicaraguan government revoked his citizenship. Upon his escape, Mateo was unable to get his passport at the embassy, and the Nicaraguan government sent a letter to his father stating, “the gringo is no longer Nicaraguan.” He believes that if he were to return to Nicaragua, he would be detained or disappeared for his dissent.

Mateo 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. Legal representation will be particularly important in Mateo’s case (1) to establish that he is eligible for an exception to the one year filing deadline for asylum claims, and (2) to ensure that past criminal charges that were dropped are not held against him in these proceedings.

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: Next calendar (scheduling) hearing is on March 4
• 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.