Facts:  N is a 31-year-old woman from Honduras who fled to the U.S. with her two children to escape her abusive ex-partner, who is also her children's father. M and N started started dating about 11 years ago, and were together for 3 years and never married. During the relationship, M was verbally, physically and sexually abusive to N and her son. M used drugs and drank alcohol to excess. In 2011, he beat N and her son very badly, and she filed a complaint with the police. M and N ended their relationship after that, and 2-3 years after their separation, N cut off all contact with M and he left her alone. However, in 2016 he tried to initiate court proceedings to obtain custody of the children, and became angry and threatening when N fought to keep custody of her children. In 2018, a man claiming to be sent by her ex-partner showed up to her business and threatened N. She went to the police after this threat, and then fled the country. M has been asking about N in her town since she moved to the U.S., and she fears that M will harm her if she returns to Honduras. 

Legal Assessment:  N and her children are eligible for asylum, and filed a timely application in May 2019 with the help of Catholic Charities. N needs a dedicated pro bono advocate to litigate her asylum case in Immigration Court so that she can stay safely in the U.S. with her children.

N speaks Spanish.