Brief
Supreme Court to Hear Appeal Over Asylum Denial for Nigerian Camp Cook
The high court will review a Trump‑era asylum rule after a 4th Circuit ruling favored a Nigerian asylum seeker who worked as a camp cook.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Washington — On Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments on whether a Nigerian man who cooked for a militant group can be denied asylum, a case that tests a Trump administration immigration provision that bars anyone who has "engaged in terrorist activity" from entry.
Izuchukwu Ozurumba worked as a camp cook for the separatist group Unknown Gunmen in 2022, saying half of his six‑month stint was unpaid before he fled. He crossed the U.S.–Mexico border in July 2023 and sought asylum, but an immigration judge rejected his claim, deeming the cooking "material support." He was deported in April 2025, but the Richmond‑based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision five months later, ruling that cooking does not qualify as material support. The Supreme Court will hear the case and issue a ruling before the term ends in June.
Key facts
- The Supreme Court agreed to hear Ozurzza's asylum case. (nbcnews.com)
- Ozurumba worked as a camp cook for the Unknown Gunmen in 2022. (nbcnews.com)
- A 4th Circuit Court ruled cooking does not count as material support. (nbcnews.com)
Sources
- [1] nbcnews.com — originally reported as “Supreme Court to weigh if Nigerian who cooked for terrorists can be denied asylum”
