David Wolfsohn, left, and Tyler Marandola, right, of Duane Morris. Courtesy photos

David Wolfsohn and Tyler Marandola, Duane Morris

In spring 2019, the U.S. government sent dozens of transgender asylum-seeking women who presented at the U.S. border to an ill-equipped, all-male facility in Pearsall, Texas. Responding to the urgent call to action, litigators in Duane Morris' Philadelphia office, Wolfsohn and Marandola, traveled to Pearsall several times to help represent the women. In one case, Wolfsohn and Marandola obtained asylum for Erika, a 24-year-old transgender woman from Honduras. As a child, she was abused by her family because of her female gender identity and was kicked out of her family home at 12 years old. Erika moved to a shelter for homeless youth, where she was assaulted by an employee. At 14, she ran away and was forced into sex work. Erika was assaulted many times prior to her 18th birthday and experienced the murder of one of her friends—also a transgender woman. Erika sought assistance from the police, but just was mocked. At 18 years old, the Honduran government unlawfully denied Erika government ID that would allow her to seek employment because she presented as a woman. As a result, Erika again was forced into sex work.

Traveling to Pearsall—in the very remote, southwest part of Texas—several times, Wolfsohn and Marandola prepared and defended Erika in her removal proceedings, briefing and arguing a full-day hearing before the Immigration Court located inside the Pearsall Detention Center. Erika was granted asylum; she now lives in Houston and hopes to be an advocate and positive example to fellow transgender women.

David Wolfsohn