Jim Allen Case

First Liberty Institute leads rescue of American missionary arrested in Haiti

In response to a request for help from Jim Allen’s church and family, First Liberty Institute assembled a legal team from a prominent law firm from Washington, D.C. (including former attorneys for President George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton) as well as other law firms to secure the quick release of Texas native Jim Allen and eight other missionaries from a Haitian jail.

Background

Jim Allen was one of ten American Christian volunteers arrested January 29, 2010, in Haiti. His church group was there to help relief victims after the country’s devastating earthquake. Allen, a welder and small business owner from Amarillo, Texas, joined the team 48 hours before the group’s departure in an attempt to lend his construction knowledge to the rebuilding efforts.

First Liberty Leads Rescue

First Liberty Institute and the team of volunteer attorneys, including Louis Gary Lissade, the former Haitian minister of justice, represented Allen in the United States and in Haiti to secure his release. The Haitian court system exonerated Allen and released him on February 11, 2010.

Impact

Without the help of First Liberty Institute, Jim Allen may have never had the opportunity to successfully fight for his release. In a statement after his release, Allen said, “My faith means everything to me, and I knew this moment would come when the truth was revealed.”

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Like any citizen in any city in America, Ernest Giardino is free to peacefully share his religious beliefs on a public sidewalk. The First Amendment is his permit.