Cleary Gottlieb Wins Resettlement for Iraqi Refugee

Cleary Gottlieb successfully represented Mr. R.R., an Iraqi refugee in Lebanon, in seeking reconsideration of the denial of his application for resettlement in the United States. Mr. R.R. was referred to the firm by the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project. Mr. R.R. has now been approved for resettlement, and his travel date to the United States will soon be scheduled.

Mr. R.R., a native of Iraq, fled to Lebanon in 2009. Mr. R.R.’s claim for resettlement was based on the treatment he endured in Iraq on account of his employment at a United States military base. Cleary successfully challenged the initial denial of Mr. R.R.’s application for resettlement by submitting a request for reconsideration with the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), which led to a new interview with DHS officials and approval of his resettlement. The request for reconsideration included new evidence of existing and threatened persecution against Mr. R.R. that arose after his original resettlement determination due to Mr. R.R.’s interfaith marriage while living in Lebanon. Mr. R.R.’s wife will accompany him to the United States as a part of the resettlement.