Case #25-0085669
MH from Ecuador
Language/interpretation needs: Spanish (Needs Interpreter)
Date of Entry (and status, if any): 01/08/2025, CBP One
Current Status/status expiry: Asylum seeker, filed on 05/08/25 within the one-year deadline.
MH is a survivor of over ten years of severe domestic violence. Despite reporting the abuse, police failed to protect her, and her ex-partner avoided consequences due to family connections with a city prosecutor. After she sought child support, he began harassing her, spreading rumors online, and threatening her through relatives, who have also followed and threatened her son.
MH is also a women’s rights advocate. As a member of Economía Popular y Solidaria (EPS), she promoted women’s economic independence and led trainings on domestic and gender-based violence, helping establish four EPS chapters. Her activism drew hostility and threats from men in her community.
After MH fled to the United States, threats continued against her family in Ecuador. Her mother has received death threats, her stepfather was recently assaulted, and individuals have located their new home and sent photos of it to intimidate them. MH fears returning due to ongoing violence linked to both her abusive partner and her advocacy for women’s rights.
Theory of the Case: Fear of future persecution by non-government actors on account of membership of a particular social group (gender violence & gender activist)
Note: MH has an upcoming Court Hearing scheduled for 08/25/2026.
Commitment: Represent client through the remainder of removal proceedings, preparing and filing additional evidence, pre-hearing brief, and preparing the client for a final merits hearing. Asylum Application has already been filed.
Court: Yes
Experience level/case team size recommended: Appropriate for any experience level and team size
Language/interpretation needs: Spanish (Needs Interpreter)
Date of Entry (and status, if any): 01/08/2025, CBP One
Current Status/status expiry: Asylum seeker, filed on 05/08/25 within the one-year deadline.
MH is a survivor of over ten years of severe domestic violence. Despite reporting the abuse, police failed to protect her, and her ex-partner avoided consequences due to family connections with a city prosecutor. After she sought child support, he began harassing her, spreading rumors online, and threatening her through relatives, who have also followed and threatened her son.
MH is also a women’s rights advocate. As a member of Economía Popular y Solidaria (EPS), she promoted women’s economic independence and led trainings on domestic and gender-based violence, helping establish four EPS chapters. Her activism drew hostility and threats from men in her community.
After MH fled to the United States, threats continued against her family in Ecuador. Her mother has received death threats, her stepfather was recently assaulted, and individuals have located their new home and sent photos of it to intimidate them. MH fears returning due to ongoing violence linked to both her abusive partner and her advocacy for women’s rights.
Theory of the Case: Fear of future persecution by non-government actors on account of membership of a particular social group (gender violence & gender activist)
Note: MH has an upcoming Court Hearing scheduled for 08/25/2026.
Commitment: Represent client through the remainder of removal proceedings, preparing and filing additional evidence, pre-hearing brief, and preparing the client for a final merits hearing. Asylum Application has already been filed.
Court: Yes
Experience level/case team size recommended: Appropriate for any experience level and team size
Case Interest Form
Are you interested in this case? If so, please fill out the form below.
