Ahmed

STATEMENT OF FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Petitioner Marta Said Ahmed (“Ahmed”), a citizen of Ethi- opia, began her immigration proceedings in 2000 when she applied for asylum and withholding of removal. Ahmed hired Yemi Getachew (“Getachew”) to represent her before the Immigration Court because Getachew was also Ethiopian, and Ahmed could easily communicate with her. Ahmed never signed a retainer agreement, and their dealings were very informal.

On July 22, 2002, the Immigration Judge (“IJ”) denied Ahmed’s application. Four days later, she married Kassaye 1 Ahmed also petitions for review of (1) the denial of her claim for asy- lum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture, and (2) the denial of her motion to reopen for adjustment of sta- tus. These petitions were denied in a separate memorandum disposition. AHMED v. MUKASEY 15535 Sabir (“Sabir”), a United States citizen. Sabir subsequently filed a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130). On January 8, 2004, the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) summa- rily affirmed the IJ’s decision. Getachew informed Ahmed that she would need to reopen the case on the basis of her…