Fleeing Violence in Honduras
In 2011, the Margaret W. Wong & Associates teams in Cleveland and Columbus began working on a 10-Year Cancellation of Removal case for Debra and her daughter, Marissa. The two fled Honduras in 1998 to escape violent and deplorable conditions.
Debra had been forced into sex trafficking at an early age. Eventually, she managed to flee with her young daughter and reach the United States. Soon after, they settled in Northeast Ohio, where Debra worked in the agricultural and nursery industry while Marissa excelled as an honor student.
Seeking Immigration Relief
Since life in the United States was all Marissa had known, and Debra feared deportation—even under President Obama—she sought help from our team. We filed petitions for asylum and 10-Year Cancellation of Removal on her behalf.
Overcoming Challenges
Debra was far outside the one-year time limit for filing asylum. However, we argued that as a sex-trafficking victim, she suffered from PTSD and could only focus on survival for years.
As for Marissa, ICE had granted her deferred action, but we applied for and secured her entry into the DACA program, which offered greater protection. Today, Marissa is close to completing college and will soon earn a BA in chemistry.
Current Status
Debra is still waiting for final decisions on her cases. Ironically, her situation is complicated because Marissa is now legally an adult and thriving. Therefore, her deportation would not legally harm her daughter, though it would cause immense sorrow.
Otherwise, Debra meets the other conditions for 10-Year Cancellation of Removal, including living in the United States for over ten years and maintaining an impeccable record—she has never even received a speeding ticket.
Building a Strong Asylum Case
For asylum, we have built a powerful argument that Debra would face danger if forced to return to Honduras. As an unaccompanied woman, she would likely be targeted by those who exploited her years ago.
Looking Ahead
Accordingly, the Margaret W. Wong & Associates team will continue to advocate for both women, encouraged by President Biden’s commitment to addressing immigration issues constructively. Need help with your 10-Year Cancellation of Removal case? Contact our Cleveland or Columbus team today. We’re here to guide you every step of the way. Call us or schedule a consultation online—we’re ready to help.