Asylum - Maria’s Story

Maria fled Honduras after she witnessed the murder of her husband at the hands of a ruthless drug cartel. Fearing for her own life and the safety of her child, she made the difficult decision to flee her homeland and seek asylum in the United States. However, Maria's path to safety faced a major obstacle when an immigration judge questioned her credibility, as she struggled to recall certain details of the traumatic event during her testimony.

Maria was fortunate to have a knowledgeable immigration attorney representing her who referred her for a psychological evaluation. The resulting report provided a comprehensive understanding of the profound trauma Maria had endured and how it had impacted her cognitive functioning, including memory recall. Armed with this compelling evidence, Maria's case gained the recognition it deserved, and her asylum was finally granted. This pivotal moment not only offered Maria and her young daughter a chance for a new beginning in a safer environment but also highlighted the importance of considering the psychological impact of trauma when assessing the credibility of asylum seekers.