Immigrant’s case could change law

ACLU seeks hearing for Somali detainee
By Greg Moran

Monday, November 9, 2009 at 1:03 a.m.

FEDERAL COURT — As a member of the minority clan in Somalia, Abdalla Warsame Abdille and his family suffered for years at the hands of the majority clan in the African country long ravaged by war.

Abdille sought asylum in the United States in 2008. And while an immigration judge found his claims of torture and abuse credible, he was denied entry. That’s because during his asylum hearing, government lawyers argued that one day in 2006 in Somalia, Abdille stood in a road holding a gun under orders from militiamen, who claimed allegiance to a group called Al-Shabab.

That amounted to “material supportâ€