Dr. Almhethawi fled his native Syria in 2017 to escape persecution and legally entered the U.S., formally applying for asylum shortly after arriving in the Chicago area. After waiting nearly five years without having his asylum interview set, he contacted the AH Law Group for assistance. The firm promptly requested his interview be expedited, and soon thereafter, USCIS granted the request and conducted the interview. More than a year passed after the interview, without any decision from USCIS as to Dr. Almhethawi’s asylum application.

Asa Hutchinson III filed a lawsuit in federal court to compel USCIS to issue an asylum decision. Almhethawi v. Mayorkas, et al., Case No. 5:23-cv-05116-TLB (USDC W.D. Ark.). Within weeks of being served with the lawsuit, USCIS issued its decision granting Dr. Almhethawi asylum in the United States.