Initials & Country of Origin: C.M. from Cameroon

Type of Case: Affirmative Asylum
Language/interpretation needs: English
Date of Entry (and status, if any): 02/24/2025, B-2 Visitor
Current Status/status expiry: B-2 visitor status through ~08/24/2025; Asylum filing deadline is 02/23/2026

Case Summary: Ms. M is an anglophone Cameroonian. In 2016, Ms. M was beaten and sexually assaulted by two military members after she had been involved in peaceful protests at her university. In 2021, Ms. M went to the UK on a student visa. In March 2023, while she was still in the UK, Ms. M was involved in a protest during a Commonwealth Day Service. Photos of the protest were published online, and she was unknowingly identified by Cameroonian authorities. When she returned to Cameroon in January 2025, she was arrested at the airport. In custody, she was tortured and starved. She was released on bail the following day. After her release, she pursued an American visa and came to the U.S. The day she arrived in the U.S., she received a call from her mother, who told her she had gotten a letter requesting Ms. M's presence at the police station. The police have also gone to Ms. M's mother's home asking about her whereabouts.

Theory of the Case: Past persecution and fear of future persecution by government actors on account of political opinion and membership in a particular social group (anglophone Cameroonians)

Commitment: File I-589, gather evidence and testimony, appearances at USCIS; Work permit (initial and renewals)
Interview: Yes
Experience level/case team size recommended: Appropriate for any experience level and team size