Cleary Gottlieb successfully secured asylum for pro bono client Ms. B. Ms. B. is a native of Burkina Faso, where as a young girl she was subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) and raped. In addition, Ms. B. was advised by her family that she would be required to marry an HIV-positive man, who was the widower of Ms. B.’s deceased sister. Her asylum claim was therefore based on both past persecution and the likelihood of future persecution in the form of FGM, rape and forced marriage. The interview with an asylum officer took place on December 3, 2009, at the asylum office in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. On January 7, Ms. B was granted asylum.
Ms. B was referred to Cleary Gottlieb by New York Legal Assistance Group.
