Overview

• Immigration Judge Yul-Mi Cho granted Paul Dama asylum this week, finding he faces persecution in Nigeria and risk of recapture by Boko Haram.
• After nearly 100 days in custody, Dama was released Thursday night from the Burlington ICE processing center and reunited with his family.
• ICE and DHS officials said Dama overstayed a 2019 visa and had two OUI convictions in 2024, with DHS labeling him a public safety threat.
• Community support helped sustain the case, including about $54,000 raised on GoFundMe and legal aid from attorney Abeba Attles and Harvard’s Immigration & Refugee Clinical Program.
• Dama says he will return to work once his documents are returned and continue therapy as he waits to learn whether ICE will appeal or pursue further removal proceedings.