New York pro bono team secures ruling in Chadian asylum case

Three Norton Rose Fulbright lawyers successfully obtained asylum for a young woman from Chad who was sold into a forced marriage at 16 and subjected to persistent physical and sexual abuse. 

While she fled her home country as a teenager, the woman lived in fear that her husband would find her in the US. To remain hidden, she distanced herself from the Chadian community and stayed off social media. With no family or other support, she spent years in youth shelters in New Jersey and New York. She is now in safe and stable housing, working as a home health aide and eager to continue her education which was cut short by her forced marriage. 

After eight years of waiting for her day in court and two days at trial, the Immigration Judge granted her asylum application on September 15, 2023. 

Norton Rose Fulbright's team consisted of Mikkaela Salamatin, Namratha Minupuri and Jenna Goldman (New York).