CFR Client Aminullah's Story

In Afghanistan, Aminullah worked for a U.S. company and was outspoken about his support for Western values and the rights of women. Because of this, Taliban insurgents ambushed and attacked him and his wife while they were driving. In August 2021, when Kabul fell to the Taliban, Aminullah feared further for his and family’s safety and fled their home to seek asylum in the U.S.

Attempting to stabilize his family in New York City, Aminullah worked long hours as an Uber driver. One evening, in a moment of extreme exhaustion, he lost his temper and accidentally slapped his daughter. Aminullah’s wife reported him to the police and a family court order of protection was issued against him. During this time, he lived in his car while completing court-ordered services, taking vocational courses to broaden his job opportunities, and working at Popeyes six days a week.

CFR represented Aminullah in his family court and criminal cases, and the immigration team applied for asylum for him. After months of advocating for Aminullah in family and criminal court, his legal teams succeeded in getting his criminal cases dismissed and the family court order of protection against him modified so that he could have unsupervised visits with his daughters. In November 2021, after Aminullah testified powerfully about the persecution he faced in Afghanistan and the likelihood that he would be harmed if deported, the asylum office granted him asylum.