Kramer Levin Wins Asylum For Pro-Democracy Activist From Burma

Silvia Salvadori and Marissa Leung have obtained a grant of political asylum for a woman from Burma who was arrested, detained, and tortured for her pro-democracy activities while in Burma.  The client applied for asylum based on her fear that her life would be in danger if she were returned to Burma because of her anti-government activities.  The client's original pro se application for asylum had been denied by the USCIS on the basis of her failure to renew her expired passport, and she was referred to Immigration Court for a removal hearing.  The Kramer Levin team halted the client's removal and ultimately convinced the ALJ to grant asylum by submitting detailed papers and affidavits establishing the facts and documenting the persecution of pro-democracy activists in Burma.  Associate Jay Park, then-summer associates Steve Schirilo and Jean-Paul Ciardullo, Lamina Vucetovic and Lili Suris from the Managing Attorney Office, and supervisor Aaron Frankel all contributed to this victory.  The case was referred to the firm by Human Rights First.