Kramer Levin Obtains Asylum for Gay, HIV+, Non-Binary Jamaican

Kramer Levin obtained asylum for S, a gay, HIV+, non-binary Jamaican.  S was repeatedly attacked and persecuted in Jamaica on account of their sexual orientation and gender identity, including being stabbed, stoned, and slashed with a machete. S’ case was complicated because, after fleeing Jamaica, they returned to help their partner escape after he was burned and beaten and lacked the financial means to leave. ICE initially argued that this was evidence that S did not genuinely fear being returned to Jamaica, but withdrew its opposition after S’ moving testimony in Immigration Court, where they explained they were terrified to return to Jamaica, but that they would have risked anything to save their partner. Intellectual Property partner Aaron Frankel handled the case with support from paralegal Santo Cipolla.