Initials & Country of Origin: F.Z. from Benin

Type of Case: Removal and TVPRA Asylum
Language/interpretation needs: Hausa and French (interpreter needed)
Date of Entry (and status, if any): 01/05/2024; UAC
Next Hearing: 08/17/2026 (Master – IJ Sardelli)
Current Status: N/A; Pending application for SIJS
Asylum Filing Deadline: 03/15/2026 (before Ms. Z's 18th birthday)

Case Summary: Ms. Z was 12 years old when her dad and his family told her she had to drop out of school and marry an older man. If Ms. Z refused, they said they would take her out of the country, and she would never see her mom. Ms. Z's mom didn’t want her getting married to this man, so she helped her escape to Ghana, where she would live with her aunt. However, Ms. Z's dad’s family, and the man she was going to marry, found her in Ghana and forced her to return to Benin. Ms. Z was afraid she would be harmed or punished for trying to escape her arranged marriage if she returned to Benin, so her mother helped her flee to the U.S. Ms. Z does not have a strong relationship with her father and has not spoken to him since she was a little girl. Ms. Z is afraid she will be forced to marry the older man or punished if she returned to Benin.

Theory of the Case: Asylum based on fear of future persecution by non-government actors on account of membership in a particular social group (gender-based)

Commitment: Asylum – File I-589, gather evidence and testimony, appearances at USCIS; Removal – Administratively close court proceedings once asylum application is filed

Interview: Yes (Asylum)
Court: Yes, but unlikely
Experience level/case team size recommended: Appropriate for any experience level and team size