The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it successfully assisted an Afghan national in gaining asylum in the U.S.—the organization’s fourth successful removal defense case in recent months.
Born in Afghanistan, the asylum seeker “Omar” (name changed for privacy purposes) worked at an American-funded university as a security guard and translator from 2010 to 2016.
Because of his association with an American-funded university, Omar was regarded as an American spy and faced continual threats from the Taliban. The situation grew dire when armed Taliban abducted him while he was visiting his family. Fortunately, he escaped unharmed when police patrolling nearby scared the assailants away. Fearing another attack, he relocated his family.
The university was also the target of numerous Taliban threats. When threats were serious, Omar relocated the university professors to guesthouses with bulletproof rooms. The dangers escalated in 2016 when the university was attacked, killing 13 staff members, many of whom were security personnel.
Though Omar left the university after the attack, his reputation as an American collaborator followed him. After the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021, Omar made several attempts to evacuate the country. However, because he was no longer directly employed with the university, he was placed on a second priority list. Consequently, he fled to Iran, then to Brazil, traveled through Central America, and eventually entered the U.S. in April 2023. The Taliban continued to search for him, threatening his family in his absence, which forced his oldest son to also flee to the U.S. in December 2023.
Upon arrival in the U.S., Omar was put into removal proceedings (where immigrants face deportation), so he independently filed his asylum application. When initially given a 2026 court date for his final hearing, he petitioned the court for an accelerated date. After two unsuccessful attempts, he persisted and received a May 2024 court date on his third try. With too much at stake, Omar contacted CAIR-SFBA to represent him at his final hearing. CAIR-SFBA Associate Managing Attorney Lina Seikh took his case pro bono, preparing Omar for his day in court and representing him during the proceedings. Despite Department of Homeland Security objections, the judge found Omar’s testimony credible, with a well-founded fear of persecution, and granted him asylum.
Seikh commented, “It was an honor to assist Omar in his pursuit of safety and freedom. His courage, resourcefulness, and perseverance are truly inspiring. We are grateful to have played a part in securing his asylum and look forward to helping his family reunite and build a new life here in the U.S.”
CAIR-SFBA remains dedicated to advocating for individuals facing persecution and injustice, providing pro bono civil rights and immigration legal assistance and support to those in need.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance the understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Communications Manage Lorrie Adam, [email protected], 408.498.5779