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Battling Deportation Often a Solitary Journey
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"The pro se folks can be good at packing the court with family members or other supporters, but they don't call them as witnesses because they don't know how to call them as witnesses," said Christopher Nugent, a lawyer who coordinates pro bono programs for Holland & Knight in the District.
About 2 p.m., Richmond resident Yasmin Bahamon sat in the courtroom, looking lawyerly in a pantsuit. She was in court for the fifth time, pushing her asylum case. She said she arrived in the United States five years ago from Colombia after being kidnapped and released by leftist guerrillas.
Her attorney, she said, dropped her case when she could not pay. She said none of the lawyers on the court's pro bono list returned her calls.
As with the others, Malphrus said her file showed no basis for her to stay. Would she take voluntary departure?
"No. I can't," Bahamon, 33, said quietly.
"Why can't you?" the judge asked.
She froze.
"Keep trying to get a lawyer to help you," Malphrus said.
Later, Bahamon stood in the empty hallway, weeping as a court clerk comforted her.
Blinking back tears, she said, "I am going to keep trying on the same list."
