Dee came to the United States to study in 2002, fleeing a civil war that was raging in his home country of Liberia. He lost both his father and mother in that conflict and suffered tremendous personal trauma (Dee was imprisoned and tortured, and witnessed others being killed).
After residing in the United States for a time, he was counseled by family members to seek political asylum here. He did so in 2003, submitting an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). With asylum status – for which Dee has a legitimate claim, as he fears for his life in Liberia – he would be able to become a permanent resident after one year, travel in and out of the country and bring his wife and child to the United States.
Unfortunately, USCIS lost his application and did not notify Dee about this until five years had elapsed (despite his repeated inquiries). When they finally contacted him USCIS told Dee that he no longer had a legitimate claim for asylum status as the leadership had changed in Liberia and those in power were not considered a danger to him. Furthermore, they told Dee that his only options were to leave the country or go to court.
Dee brought the matter before a judge, who ruled in his favor (she said USCIS was entirely at fault). But the judicial branch’s powers are limited in these matters, and the best the judge could do was issue a “Withhold from Removal” order, which gives Dee permission to stay and work in this country as long as he physically remains here, but once he leaves, he cannot re-enter. The order does not allow Dee to bring his wife and child into the U.S. to join him, however.
Dee’s wife, Bindu, has always wanted to study in the United States, so she then went about applying to a college here. Rutgers University accepted her application and she prepared to travel here this year, but the U.S. embassy in Monrovia recently denied her a student visa because her husband already lives here. Thus, Dee cannot leave the country without losing permission to reside and work here, and he cannot bring his wife here either.
None of this would have happened had USCIS processed his original application for political asylum. To make matters worse, Dee will not return to Liberia because he feels his life is still in danger (which is why we are not using his real name here). Although the government has changed and is not a threat to him, those who tortured him and who he witnessed kill others are still at large. There is a local effort underway to bring these murderers to justice, so these perpetrators are systematically seeking out all potential witnesses and eliminating them.
Not only would Dee’s life be at risk should he return, but his wife’s life is currently in danger, as she witnessed some atrocities during the civil war herselfl. She has so far kept herself and her son safe by laying low and moving every few months.
Dee is a hardworking, upstanding member of the community. He is a devout church member (a trustee of a local church) and, as of last year, a homeowner. Not only does Dee pay federal and local income taxes, he also pays property taxes. He has told me that, were he allowed to, he would gladly become a U.S. citizen.
Please contact USCIS asking them to reconsider Dee’s request for political asylum. U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., of New Jersey has has helped us immensely by formally requesting that Dee's case be re-opened. Kindly refer to this request when contacting USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas (so he knows what case you are contacting him about): vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov
It has been eight years since Dee last saw his wife, and he has never had a chance to hug or hold his son, who was born shortly after Dee left Liberia.
Please write to:
USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas
vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov
1-800-375-5283
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security
20 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20529
