Partnership with NIJC Yields Grant of Asylum to Pro Bono Client Who Fled Iran
News
August 3, 2023
On August 3, the Chicago Immigration Court granted asylum to a pro bono client who had been persecuted in his home country of Iran due to his political activity protesting the current ruling regime and for his conversion to Christianity.
Our client was arrested for his political activity and faced brutal imprisonment in Iran. In 2016, after the Revolutionary Guard learned that he is a practicing Christian, he made the difficult decision to flee the country.
After entering the United States, he was connected with the National Immigrant Justice Center, which partnered with Jenner to take his case. Now, our client is free to openly practice his religion and express his political views without fear of being forced to return to Iran where he would face imprisonment, torture, and even death.
The team was led by Partner Megan Poetzel and included Associates Hope Tone-O’Keefe, Sara Stappert, and Brian Bornhoft; Staff Attorney Ehsan Khah; and Paralegal Fallon McDowell.
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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.
News
August 3, 2023
On August 3, the Chicago Immigration Court granted asylum to a pro bono client who had been persecuted in his home country of Iran due to his political activity protesting the current ruling regime and for his conversion to Christianity.
Our client was arrested for his political activity and faced brutal imprisonment in Iran. In 2016, after the Revolutionary Guard learned that he is a practicing Christian, he made the difficult decision to flee the country.
After entering the United States, he was connected with the National Immigrant Justice Center, which partnered with Jenner to take his case. Now, our client is free to openly practice his religion and express his political views without fear of being forced to return to Iran where he would face imprisonment, torture, and even death.
The team was led by Partner Megan Poetzel and included Associates Hope Tone-O’Keefe, Sara Stappert, and Brian Bornhoft; Staff Attorney Ehsan Khah; and Paralegal Fallon McDowell.
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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