TO: Nathalie Asher
Immigration and Customs Enforcement ERO Field Office Director
12500 Tukwila International Boulevard
Seattle, WA, 98168

June 21, 2020

Dear Ms. Asher:

We write to you, as members of many community organizations and as individuals, concerning the case of Esmeralda Romero Lopez (A044 213 903). On June 16, 2020, ICE took Esmeralda into custody in Portland, and she is now detained at the NW Detention Center in Tacoma. We are writing to plead for discretion in her case as we feel there are significant and compelling issues that warrant your attention.

Our requests are the following: 1.That Esmeralda Romero Lopez’ Petition for Stay of Removal (filed on June 16, 2020) be granted; 2.that she immediately be granted an order of release on supervision; 3.that your office request expedited review of her t-visa petition be EAC 1909750049.  

We are health care professionals, faith leaders, members of faith communities, teachers, and people from all walks of life. We care about community safety and justice for all. Consistent with those beliefs, we feel that Ms. Romero Lopez deserves to be released and have her T-Visa petition adjudicated so that she may stabilize her immigration status.  

We are familiar with Esmeralda’s history. It includes the fact that, when she was considerably younger, she was kidnapped and trafficked. During that experience she endured trauma that is too awful to imagine. During that time, she committed some survivor crimes for which she has fully served her punishment.

Esmeralda is a survivor of some of the most extreme forms of violence towards women. She has shown, for the past many years that she has not only paid her dues, but that she is someone with immense potential. She has become a loved and respected community member. She has a church community, a stable, hard-working long time partner and is a stable member of the Multnomah County community. She is one course away from completing her GED, and has plans to continue in Community College to become a Medical Assistant. In addition, she wishes to be trained to work with women who are experiencing abuse to offer support and peer-counseling so they will “not experience the pain” that she has suffered and endured.

Esmeralda’s record alone shows that she is someone who deserves this chance to be released and for her immigration case to proceed while she is safely at home in Portland and with her family. Let us not add to her long-standing trauma. Additionally, we know that this psychological distress, along with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder adds to the significant risk of infection from COVID-19, which is a concern at NW Detention Center. In this time of the viral pandemic and increased vulnerability of those in confines such as detention, the call for her release takes on that additional urgency. Though the research is complicated, there is cause for concern that those who have experienced significant and repeated trauma have less ability to resist infections. In addition, Esmeralda is currently being held in quarantine, a condition which is similar to solitary confinement. This is a totally inappropriate way in which to treat trafficking survivor suffering from PTSD. She is denied meaningful access to her support network of counselors, family and friends.

Based on both the merits of this case and the COVID-19 added risk, we again urge your swift action for the following for Esmeralda Romero Lopez: A Stay of Deportation, Release on Supervision, and expedition of her t-visa.

We appreciate your positive action on these demands. Please feel free to contact Maxine Fookson at:  mfookson @gmail.com on behalf of all of those who have signed this letter if you have any questions or need more information.

Esmeralda has a life ahead of her with great potential—she has shown that and will continue to exemplify that given the opportunity to do so.

“Human potential is amazing...We have the capacity to create a world that is peaceful...one that spreads kindness and love rather than hatred. If we believe it to be so, it will be our truth, and we will create it.”—Kristi Bowman

Sincerely,