Davis Polk’s years-long representation of Afghan New York Times Kabul bureau employees concluded in October when we secured U.S. asylum for our fifth and final client of the group. This most recent win was on behalf of a bylined reporter whose case was significantly complicated by the nature of his work for the Times. His work made him well known among the Taliban and subject to threats targeting western media journalists. Several of our client’s colleagues were attacked and killed, and the Taliban repeatedly searched for and threatened our client specifically.

In August 2021, as the United States withdrew forces from Afghanistan, the New York Times acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all Kabul bureau employees and their families, whose safety would be in even greater jeopardy under Taliban rule. After a harrowing escape from Kabul, approximately 120 Times employees and family members were evacuated from Afghanistan and brought to the United States, where they were immediately provided support addressing their housing, education and relocation needs.

To address this group’s legal needs, the New York Times Afghan Asylum Project was established. Davis Polk is proud to have played a key role in what is now regarded as a model coordinated rapid-response project. Our work supporting the broader project and representation of five clients in pursuing asylum has been powered by Davis Polk lawyers in New York, Northern California, Washington DC, London, Madrid, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

With this most recent victory, all five New York Times clients who Davis Polk took on have been granted asylum in the United States. This final client is now settled with his family and is employed. Our other clients are doing similarly well in carving out new lives for themselves and pursuing goals that would not have been possible for them in Afghanistan – they are working, some are pursuing higher education and their children are thriving in public schools and adjusting to life in the United States.

The Davis Polk team for this most recent asylum win included Pro Bono Counsel for Humanitarian Immigration Matters Nishan Bhaumik, associates Chen Chen, Maggie Li, Meredith Liu and Kate Monroe FitzGerald, Senior Pro Bono Coordinator & Specialist Sónia Batten, legal assistants Sorina Delia Lazar, Teddy Donilon and Carmen Mascarenhas and business development coordinator Thomas Quinn.    

Copy link to share post