Written by Evelyn Finn-Wilson
The Allens, a family of six originally from Nigeria, were granted asylum status this July thanks to the skillful representation of ILJNY attorney Nneka Okpara. The family was first directed to ILJNY in 2018 at the recommendation of Rev. Dr. Robert Douglass Bendall, and were initially represented by former ILJNY attorney Alexis Duecker. Nneka took over their case in August 2023 upon joining ILJNY as its Asylum Attorney.
Darla Allen, the lead applicant for asylum and the mother of the family had come to the USA in 2017 while pregnant with her third child. She was suffering from post traumatic stress during the pregnancy, which was related to severe gender based persecution she had faced in Nigeria. She was petrified of her daughters receiving the same treatment from family members. Her doctors and husband Owen recommended she go to the States for a holiday in an effort to relieve her anxiety. When she came, she decided to stay, and contacted her husband to bring himself and the two older children. Through a friend, she heard that women in similar medical situations were eligible to apply for asylum.
Her initial affirmative application for asylum before USCIS was denied. She was then placed in deportation proceedings. Nevertheless, these proceedings provided the opportunity to prove her case again in front of an immigration judge.
The family was then connected to ILJNY. For eight years they worked with the ILJNY team on drafting Darla’s defensive asylum, and Owen and the two older children’s beneficiary applications. During that time, the couple had their younger two children in the United States. Darla studied to become a nurse, and Owen enrolled in business school. During these years, they consistently met and checked in with the ILJNY team, who provided a source of support during periods of uncertainty and drastic change surrounding asylum procedures.
As the court date approached, Nneka worked tirelessly to prepare the whole family for the hearing, repeatedly rehearsing their testimony and working individually with Darla, Owen, and their eldest daughter, who would also be called to testify. The entire team at ILJNY pitched in on staging a mock trial, so the family could know what to expect on the day of their hearing.
The day of the hearing itself, the Allens’ were fortunate to be assigned a Judge who was considerate of the sensitive nature of the case and waived thier oral testimony. The written argument Nneka had prepared was so compelling and presented the Allens’ story so well, that the judge was convinced. The trial went quickly as the ICE lawyers put up no contest to the waiver of testimony, and in thirty minutes the family’s asylum status was approved.
It was like a giant release, Owen said, “The judge was friendly and very straightforward. It felt like they lifted a weight off our heads. We were shocked, happy and excited. And were also very grateful to Nneka and the team. Our lawyer dedicated so much time to our case, she was really helpful.” With the granting of asylum, they now have a path to permanent citizenship, and can move forward with their and their children’s lives without the stress of legal status.
Darla emphasized that, in these trying times, where asylum is uncertain and rulings by immigration judges at times erratic, it is important not to give up faith that there are people who are willing to help. For people in similar situations to herself “in case there are people who are in doubt, who do I reach out to? Would anyone be interested in taking up my case? There are still good people like Nneka and the team… Organizations like Justice For Our Neighbors that still help. Faith and being resilient and working together as a team will always lead to a positive result. Don’t lose hope, and be prayerful.”
The names in this story have been changed to protect the privacy of the family.
Article image via Tingey Injury Law Firm on Upsplash