Cravath Secures Win for Asylum Seekers from Russia

On August 8, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted asylum to two Cravath pro bono clients, a gay couple from Russia who suffered violence and persecution based on their sexual orientation.

Cravath began representing these clients in their applications for asylum in 2017, following a referral from the New York City Anti-Violence Project. Despite originally applying for asylum in 2016, their applications remained at a near-standstill for eight years, during which time Cravath assisted them in securing work authorization, appealed to elected officials and petitioned for expedited review of their applications. In the spring of 2024, the clients were granted asylum interviews, for which Cravath assisted in preparing and submitting supporting documentation on their behalf, including character reference letters and personal declarations from the clients detailing the treatment they had received in Russia.

During their interviews with USCIS asylum officers, each of the clients described their experiences in Russia, which included being attacked by a group of men and threatened by the police after reporting the incident. Following their testimony, USCIS approved both applications, granting the clients asylum and giving them the opportunity to seek permanent residency in the U.S.

The Cravath team was led by partner Peter T. Barbur and included associate Charles Bloom.