Victory in Immigration Court!

Attorney Alfredo Estrada is thrilled to share that he  successfully defended a motion to pretermit an asylum application by DHS in immigration court today. DHS had sought to deport his client to Uganda, where he would have faced severe persecution for his sexuality. A motion to pretermit is a legal request asking the court to dismiss an immigration case before it goes to a full hearing, typically on grounds that the individual is ineligible for relief or the application should be denied. DHS has increasingly been using motions to pretermit and Asylum Cooperative Agreements (ACAs) to expedite the deportation of immigrants, often seeking to send them to third countries, despite the risks they may face there.

As a homosexual man, the client would be subjected to violence and imprisonment in Uganda, where homosexuality is criminalized and punishable by death. Through compelling testimony and extensive country conditions evidence, Attorney Estrada was able to show the court the very real and life-threatening risks his client would face if returned. This victory is not just a legal win—it’s a reminder of why we must continue fighting for the rights and safety of those who face persecution.