Nationwide — Attorney Zulu Ali, founder and principal of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP, continues to make a national impact through a landmark federal appellate victory that is reshaping how immigration courts handle torture claims across the western United States.
In Hermosillo v. Garland, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a published decision requiring immigration judges to provide a full evidentiary hearing before dismissing certain claims under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The ruling, issued on September 14, 2023, remains binding precedent across the Ninth Circuit, covering nine states and two U.S. territories.
The decision continues to play a critical role in protecting individuals facing deportation to countries where they may be subjected to torture. By requiring courts to hear the evidence before rejecting such claims, the ruling ensures that vulnerable individuals receive a meaningful opportunity to present their cases.
Ali successfully argued that protections under the Convention Against Torture cannot be denied through procedural shortcuts. In a 2-1 decision, the Ninth Circuit agreed and remanded the case with instructions consistent with that principle.
“This decision represents more than a legal victory,” said Attorney Zulu Ali. “It reinforces that human rights protections must be taken seriously and that individuals facing the risk of torture deserve to be heard.”
Ali, a former U.S. Marine and police officer, has built a reputation as a leading advocate in criminal defense, civil rights, and immigration law. Through his Riverside-based practice, he has handled complex federal litigation and continues to fight for individuals facing life-threatening consequences in immigration proceedings.
The case involved Eric Hermosillo, whose claim under the Convention Against Torture became the basis for a broader legal challenge to how immigration courts evaluate such cases. The named respondent was then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Because the Ninth Circuit is one of the largest federal appellate jurisdictions in the country, the ruling has far-reaching implications. It continues to impact immigration proceedings across California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii, and two U.S. territories, protecting millions of individuals within its jurisdiction.
“This case shows what can happen when attorneys remain committed to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable,” Ali added. “The law must work for those whose lives are at risk.”
About
Attorney Zulu Ali is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP, based in Riverside, California. He is known for his work in criminal defense, immigration law, civil rights, international human rights advocacy, award-winning trial practice, community activism, and leading the largest black-owned law firm in California’s Inland Empire. Learn more at ZuluAliLaw.com
For press inquiries, contact (951) 782-8722 or zulualilaw@gmail.com