Paths to Safety and Stability: Afghan Asylum and Pro Bono Advocacy

Securing Safety

/// Ted Peilen, Claire Ziller

F.H. did extensive work in Afghanistan promoting gender and human rights, including working with international organizations involved in conflict management, nonviolent communication and women’s rights. Because of his work, F.H. faced numerous threats from the Taliban, including being publicly denounced by the head of a provincial Taliban recruiter. One of F.H.’s former colleagues was murdered by the Taliban after the Afghan government fell. Fearing for his family’s safety, F.H. fled Afghanistan with his wife and daughter.

Attorney Ted Peilen and former Fredrikson attorney Veronica Salsbury worked closely with F.H. to prepare his asylum application, develop his personal statement, draft a brief in support of the application, and represent F.H. and his family at their asylum interview. Former Fredrikson paralegal and current law student Claire Ziller provided critical support in drafting and formatting the application for submission.

With Ted and Claire’s dedicated support, F.H. secured an approval of his asylum case. This approval enables the family to live in the safety and security of the United States.