On First Anniversary of Gitmo Prisoner Resettlement: Lawyers Call for US State Department Action

One year after pro bono client Majid Khan was released from the Guantánamo Bay detention center, Jenner & Block and The Center for Constitutional Rights continue to advocate both for Majid and for the prison’s closure.

Upon his release after two decades in US custody, including 16 years at Guantánamo, Majid successfully resettled in Belize. He has a home and family there. But the US State Department has failed to respond to repeated requests to help Majid get a bank account.

In a statement on the one-year anniversary of Majid’s release, Co-Managing Partner Katya Jestin said: “We’re very proud of Majid and how well he has transitioned to life after Guantánamo, but to truly build a strong future with his family he needs and wants to earn a living. Majid was tortured by the CIA, spent 16 years in Guantánamo, cooperated fully with the government, and honored his obligations. Now, it is time for the State Department to help clear the way for Majid to establish a bank account so that he can earn a paycheck like any other law-abiding person.”

Meanwhile, 30 men remain at the 9/11-era detention center, including 16 who have been unanimously approved for transfer by all relevant military, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies because they do not present a threat to the United States or its allies. Some have been cleared to leave for more than a decade.

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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

On First Anniversary of Gitmo Prisoner Resettlement: Lawyers Call for US State Department Action

One year after pro bono client Majid Khan was released from the Guantánamo Bay detention center, Jenner & Block and The Center for Constitutional Rights continue to advocate both for Majid and for the prison’s closure.

Upon his release after two decades in US custody, including 16 years at Guantánamo, Majid successfully resettled in Belize. He has a home and family there. But the US State Department has failed to respond to repeated requests to help Majid get a bank account.

In a statement on the one-year anniversary of Majid’s release, Co-Managing Partner Katya Jestin said: “We’re very proud of Majid and how well he has transitioned to life after Guantánamo, but to truly build a strong future with his family he needs and wants to earn a living. Majid was tortured by the CIA, spent 16 years in Guantánamo, cooperated fully with the government, and honored his obligations. Now, it is time for the State Department to help clear the way for Majid to establish a bank account so that he can earn a paycheck like any other law-abiding person.”

Meanwhile, 30 men remain at the 9/11-era detention center, including 16 who have been unanimously approved for transfer by all relevant military, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies because they do not present a threat to the United States or its allies. Some have been cleared to leave for more than a decade.

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

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