Winston Aids Afghans Affected by the Taliban’s Takeover of Their Country

After the Afghan government’s fall to the Taliban in August of last year, Winston & Strawn attorneys responded with compassion and legal assistance.

Helping NGOs Navigate Compliance Issues

In the aftermath of the Taliban takeover, the NGO community in Afghanistan needed continued access to the international financial system, donors, and aid recipients. Drawing upon the firm’s extensive experience counseling clients in higher-risk jurisdictions, Winston attorneys have helped the NGO community navigate the U.S. sanctions imposed against the Taliban and the Haqqani Network so they could continue providing desperately needed humanitarian aid while complying with U.S. legal requirements. Winston has also been instrumental in helping NGOs access funds seized by the Taliban.

The Winston attorneys providing this support include Washington, D.C. Partner and Chair of Winston’s International Trade Practice Cari Stinebower, London Partner Matthew Bate, Washington, D.C. Associates David Houck and Mariana Pendras, and Los Angeles Associate Dainia Jabaji.

Assisting Female Afghan Students Seeking Asylum

For many young Afghan women, their dream of obtaining a college degree came to a halt when the Taliban seized control of their country. Fortunately, many were able to escape from Afghanistan and Winston attorneys are helping eight of these female students obtain affirmative asylum while they continue their studies in the United States. Winston is part of a national coalition of law firms helping 145 former students at the Afghanistan University for Women who were evacuated to U.S. military bases and then enrolled in colleges and universities in our country.

Winston attorneys from seven offices—Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C.—are helping these women file their asylum claims and include Casey Berger, Jeremy Chu, Chip Gage, Will Hamilton, Brett Johnson, Diana Leiden, Becca Loegering, and Lara Markarian.

Supporting a Journalist who Fled the Taliban

Winston attorneys are also helping USA Today freelance journalist Fatema Hosseini apply for asylum. After a harrowing escape from Afghanistan, Fatema is now studying journalism at the University of Maryland. Washington, D.C. Partner Chris Man, and Associate Jennie Roualet is involved in this case.  

Learn more about Winston’s commitment to excellence in serving the public interest here.