Immigrant of the Day: Blanca Medina (El Salvador)

Blanca Medina is a survivor of five rapes—four in El Salvador and one more by a smuggler after she fled north to seek safety in the United States. Reeling from the trauma, Blanca did not manage to attend her immigration hearing and was ordered deported in absentia. Six years later, ICE located Blanca and prepared to execute the removal order.

Blanca sought legal help and with great difficulty began to talk about what had happened to her in El Salvador. ICE was informed that she had been raped multiple times there and could come to harm given that her last attacker was an influential gang member. Blanca was particularly afraid for what might happen to her five-year-old U.S. citizen daughter Alejandra. She filed a motion to reopen, requests for discretionary relief, and a federal lawsuit. All requests were denied. ICE insisted it would still deport Blanca despite the ongoing federal litigation.

For lack of legal options, Blanca went public with her story. Blanca’s online petition garnered some 118,000 signatures in support. Once the media picked up Blanca’s story, ICE agreed to stay Blanca’s removal and joined in a motion to reopen her case.

Blanca overcame tremendous odds with incredible courage. She did it for her daughter Alejandra’s future.  

Matthew D. Muller of Kerosky, Purves & Bogue in San Francisco is Blanca Medina’s attorney.

KJ