Supreme Court to Decide Asylum Case of Nigerian Cooked for Terrorists

WHO:

Alternet - Izuchukwu Ozurumba, a Nigerian man, is the subject of the asylum case.

Alternet - The Trump Justice Department is involved in the appeal to the Supreme Court.

Alternet - The militant group involved is known as the Unknown Gunmen.

WHAT:

Alternet - Ozurumba was forced to work for about six months, with three of those months being unpaid.

Alternet - After escaping, Ozurumba claimed he was threatened and attacked by men from the militant group with sticks and knives after leaving a church service.

Alternet - The Supreme Court will decide how far the terrorism-related asylum bar extends, particularly in cases where the individual allegedly provided support while being held against their will.

Alternet - The Supreme Court will decide whether Ozurumba can be denied asylum due to claims of providing material support to terrorists by cooking for them.

Alternet - Ozurumba prepared three meals a day for 15 to 17 camp leaders.

Alternet - An immigration judge rejected Ozurumba's asylum application, stating that cooking for the group constituted material support to a terrorist organization.

Alternet - The Board of Immigration Appeals affirmed the immigration judge's decision.

Alternet - The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Ozurumba, stating he was “simply a captive laborer” and that his cooking did not contribute to terrorist activity.

WHERE:

Alternet - The events took place in Nigeria, where Ozurumba was forced to cook for militants.

Alternet - Ozurumba entered the United States after fleeing Nigeria.

WHEN:

Alternet - Ozurumba's ordeal began in Nigeria in 2022.

Alternet - He entered the US in 2023 and applied for asylum.

Alternet - An immigration judge rejected his application in 2024.

Alternet - Ozurumba was deported to Nigeria in April 2025.

WHY:

Alternet - The Trump administration argues that the Fourth Circuit's interpretation could lead to confusion in immigration law enforcement.

HOW:

Alternet - Ozurumba was forced to cook for the militants under duress, as armed guards prevented him from leaving the camp. He escaped during a shopping trip and hid for two days before fleeing Nigeria.

(UPDATED October 13, 2026 19:07 UTC)

Ozurumba was forced to work for about six months, three of which were unpaid, before he managed to escape. After his escape, he reported being threatened and attacked by men from a militant group with sticks and knives following a church service. In a related legal matter, the Supreme Court is set to determine the extent of the terrorism-related asylum bar, especially in cases where individuals claim they provided support while being held against their will.

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(UPDATED October 13, 2026 18:06 UTC)

A Nigerian man named Izuchukwu Ozurumba is at the center of an asylum case that has drawn the attention of the Trump Justice Department, which is appealing to the Supreme Court. The court will determine whether Ozurumba can be denied asylum based on claims that he provided material support to terrorists by cooking for militants known as the Unknown Gunmen, despite a lower court ruling that he was merely a captive laborer. Ozurumba's ordeal began in Nigeria in 2022, and after fleeing to the United States and applying for asylum in 2023, he was deported back to Nigeria in April 2025 following the rejection of his application.