On March 10, 2010, Immigration Court Judge Susan G. Roy granted asylum and withholding of removal to a 29-year-old Chadian national who was abducted and tortured by the military in Chad.

The client’s persecution began when his father, an active member of a peaceful political opposition party in Chad, was abducted from his home by the Chadian military and likely murdered. Aside from occasionally accompanying his relatives to political rallies out of respect, the client was not active in politics. One year after his father's abduction, upon leaving the home of another politically active relative, the client was forced at gunpoint into a military truck. When he refused conscription into the Chadian military, he was interrogated and then savagely beaten and tortured while being held captive for more than two months. He eventually escaped from the military base and fled to the United States out of fear for his life.

The Davis Polk team’s principal argument at the Immigration Court focused on two inter-related theories. First, it was argued that the client was singled out because of his imputed political opinion as a result of his family’s ties to the opposition. Second, it was argued that even if he were not singled out, he was disproportionately punished as a result of his perceived association with the rebellion based on answers provided during his interrogation. After hearing extensive testimony from the client, Judge Roy agreed with the arguments and granted asylum and withholding of removal under the Convention Against Torture from the bench.

Associates Angela Doolan and Jason McCullough represented the client during the hearing. The Davis Polk team also included partners Sharon Katz and Arthur J. Burke, associates Byron Bruce Rooney, Julie L. Hassman and Marc J. Tobak, and legal assistant Sorina Delia Lazar.