Supreme Court to Review Asylum Case of Nigerian Man Linked to Terrorist Group

The Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to consider whether Izuchukwu Ozurumba, a Nigerian man, is ineligible for asylum due to his work cooking meals for leaders of a group classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. The court's decision follows a request from the Trump administration to review a ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that vacated Ozurumba's removal order. The Justice Department argues that the 4th Circuit's decision conflicts with rulings from at least three other circuits and could hinder the government's ability to deport immigrants with ties to terrorism. The administration stated, "Providing meals to a terrorist organization's members is no less a material form of support than providing gasoline for its vehicles." Ozurumba testified that he was unaware of the camp's true purpose when he began working there. His lawyers contend that he was forced to work without pay and threatened after escaping. They also argue that there is no existing circuit split for the Supreme Court to resolve, as no federal court has adopted the government's broad interpretation of material support. After fleeing the camp near Lagos, Nigeria, Ozurumba traveled to Venezuela and entered the U.S. illegally in July 2023, where he later surrendered to Border Patrol. An immigration judge subsequently ordered his deportation. A divided panel of the 4th Circuit concluded that Ozurumba's work did not constitute material support for terrorism, stating he appeared to be "simply a captive laborer" whose work was unrelated to terrorist activities.