4th Circuit Denies Asylum Claim On Family Relation

One of the most difficult areas of asylum law is to determine what social group you are in if you are claiming asylum, and if that is the reason that you are in danger of persecution. While membership in a family is now established as a possible social group, it is important to tie the danger of persecution to the membership in that family and not related dangers that may arise related to membership. At least in the US 4th Circuit.

On June 26, 2020, the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued its published opinion in the case of Jexte Cedillos-Cedillos v. William Barr (https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinions/182233.P.pdf) denying asylum because his claim was based on his personal danger due to having reported the crimes of those that would persecute him, and since it was based on his personal conduct, he was not eligible for asylum. This is a tricky issue that most may not understand. Reading this case, especially since it is a “published” opinion, and therefore has precedent value, explains the difficult analysis that must be made for a claim to be successful.

Steffanie J. Lewis is a founding attorney, vice president and secretary of IBLF and, since 1999. She is counsel to several corporations, including an international trade association, an international foundation, an international computer demographic marketing corporation, a U.S. airline with international routes, an international artist & company, a national medical laboratory, a national self defense association, and numerous individuals with claims in products liability, aviation and real estate contract, medical malpractice, and numerous criminal offenses.

In addition to her corporate role, Ms. Lewis supervises all immigration work, representing clients in Immigration Court and multiple Federal circuits, most actively in the Fourth Circuit dealing with the immigration implications of fraud, criminal matters, due process, and statute interpretation.

Albert Z. Lewis is the managing attorney of the law firm, responsible for the administration, and service for the various technologies being used.

Mr. Lewis’s particular specialties are the electronic filing done with the USCIS, as well as through the ECF systems for the US District Courts, as well as EDGAR, the computer filing system for the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He also appears regularly in Immigration Court, supervises all aspects of family-related immigration filings, and has written numerous appeal briefs for immigration and other appeals. He has represented children and adults under the Criminal Justice Act, through programs at the DC Superior Criminal Court as well as the DC Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect.