Tatiana* was brought to the U.S. as a young child. She became a mother at 16, and she and her ex-boyfriend, who is also from Honduras, have 5 children together, all U.S. citizens. Over the course of their relationship, the ex-boyfriend was physically and verbally abusive. The violence escalated, and when she was pregnant with their last child, he beat her so badly that she prematurely went into labor. At the hospital, the nurses noticed the abuse, and her ex-boyfriend was arrested and deported to Honduras. After his deportation, the father of Tatiana’s children returned to the U.S. to find her. He is now back in Honduras, and Tatiana fears he would harm her if she were deported.

Tatiana married a U.S. citizen who has been a great father to her children, but her detention has brought challenges to the family. Her eldest daughter was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and Tatiana was the primary person communicating with her daughter’s social worker and facilitating her mental health care. On top of this, another daughter is considering dropping out of college due to her mother’s detention.

Tatiana is eligible for protection from deportation in the form of asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, and adjustment of status and would greatly benefit from pro bono counsel given the intersection of criminal and immigration law in her case. She has several credit card larceny and fraud charges and some convictions; she explains these were connected to the financial needs of her daughters’ college expenses and mental health needs. Additionally, she has been convicted of driving without a license and some other minor traffic infractions.

Special consideration: A law school clinic that worked with Tatiana and her family on bond-related issues may be able to assist the team that represents Tatiana in her immigration proceedings. The clinic could help with components of case preparation, including securing country and psychological experts, developing their declarations and testimony, conducting country conditions research, and performing other legal research.

All Amica Center matters placed with a pro bono team are robustly mentored by an Amica Center attorney and/or fully Accredited Representative with expertise in representing clients in immigration proceedings. Our mentoring program includes an opening meeting to discuss the scope and process of the matter, provision of samples, guidance on the law, review of draft filings, assistance with client contact, and guidance on preparation for interviews and hearings.

• Location: Caroline County, VA (detained) – facility allows in person visits and uses Virtual Attorney Visitation system.
• Timeline: Individual (merits) hearing is on 4/28/2025 in Annandale, VA. Amica Center will help an interested pro bono team seek a continuance for trial prep.
• Language: English (preferred), also Spanish

Please contact our Managing Attorney for Pro Bono Coordination, Jennifer Grishkin, at jennifer@amicacenter.org if you are interested in taking this case.

*Pseudonyms are used to protect privacy.