Facts:  T is a twenty-nine-year-old young man from Cuba who fled to the U.S. to escape persecution on account of his political opinion and activity in opposition to the Cuban government’s proposal to ratify a new constitution that would allow for the persecution of political opponents of the state.  His opposition was noted by T’s boss, who accused him of being anti-revolutionary, and the Cuban authorities, who detained him for protesting publicly on two occasions.  Due to T’s political activity, he was detained, beaten, tortured and threatened; he now fears for his life due to his interactions with government officials.  After seeking refuge in the U.S., T made contact with his family.  While in detention, he spoke to his aunt who informed him that the police questioned her, and T’s mother and brother about his whereabouts.  After learning this information, T has become worried about the safety of his family.

Legal assessment:  T is eligible for asylum and needs a pro bono volunteer advocate like you to help him fight his case in immigration court.  His next master calendar hearing is on April 1, 2020.  T is also eligible for asylum under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, because he is a Cuban citizen who has been inspected, admitted or paroled into the United States at a port of entry.

T is a Spanish speaker.

* A master calendar hearing (MCH) is the first appearance that happens in an immigration case. It is at this appearance that the Immigration Judge (IJ) accepts pleadings. For those who are familiar with criminal court, it has been likened procedurally to an arraignment.