Abused by his family and subjected to electroshock and forced gay conversion therapy, pro bono client sought asylum in the U.S.

We are proud to announce that we received notice late last week that the firm’s pro bono client, John Doe, was granted asylum in the U.S. in the wake of years of torment and abuse. The client, a gay man from Brazil, was subjected by his family to gay conversion therapy and electroconvulsive treatments throughout his childhood in an attempt to “cure” his homosexuality. On account of his sexual orientation, he was also physically abused by family members and attacked by members of his community. After coming to the U.S., he was unable to return to Brazil out of fear for his life.

In the U.S., he encountered additional challenges that made it even more dangerous for him to return to his country. He was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and, due to health issues, was unable to work and struggled with homelessness. Facing these extraordinary circumstances, he missed his one-year asylum filing deadline. But for the legal assistance provided by Lieff Cabraser attorney Leah Nutting, he risked being deported back to the country where he had been persecuted his entire life for being gay.

Working with co-counsel, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, Leah handled all aspects of the case and represented him at his interview before the San Francisco Asylum Office to ensure that his story was heard and made an impact on the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the SF Bay Area

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR) protects and promotes the rights of people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in California. As one of the oldest civil rights organizations on the West Coast, our attorney network has provided free legal representation to communities on the front lines of Racial, Economic, and Immigrant Justice struggles for over 50 years. Learn more here.

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