News & Events

The Firm successfully represented a pro bono client from Honduras in obtaining a grant of withholding of removal in an individual merits hearing in Immigration Court. The client’s family member was involved in a political assassination of a prominent environmentalist and politician in Honduras. The client was put into removal proceedings in 2009, when the Firm’s representation began, and the Firm obtained his release from detention in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hearing on the basis of his reasonable fear of persecution in his home country from the conspirators of the assassination. After many administrative delays, in a hearing on January 25, 2023, the Immigration Judge heard testimony from the applicant, considered the Firm’s legal arguments and ultimately granted him withholding of removal on May 4, 2023, finding that the applicant was credible and had met his legal burden of proof. The applicant’s testimony and the Firm’s legal arguments also satisfied the United States government, who did not oppose the grant of withholding of removal and waived its right to appeal.

The Simpson Thacher team included Benjamin Wells, Josh Hazan, Maya Reeves as well as former members of the Firm.