Usuf* 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. Usuf, along with the other crew members, were transferred onto a U.S. ship and interviewed. 10 of the crew members, including Usuf, 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.

Usuf had been working as a fisherman for around 2 years when he was hired to work on this ship, with usual jobs lasting from 1 to 3 months. He did not know that the boat was transporting weapon parts until the ship was boarded by the U.S. Navy. He is afraid to return to Pakistan because the government may accuse him of being part of this weapons smuggling operation. His family has told him that members of the Pakistani government and different agencies have gone to his house 4 times to look for him. He is also afraid to return to Pakistan due to the captain’s threats.

Usuf 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, Usuf 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 County, VA (detained) – facility allows in person visits and uses Virtual Attorney Visitation system.
• Timeline: Next calendar (scheduling) hearing is on May 13
• Language: Pashto, very limited English

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.