Assia Serrano is a survivor, an immigrant, an activist, and most of all a loving and caring mother and caretaker who devotes herself to her two U.S. citizen children and her family more broadly, all of whom are in the U.S.
Assia was released after being resentenced under the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act in 2021 and immediately transferred to ICE and deported to Panama. Despite being incarcerated since around the time her children were born, she has overcome tremendous obstacles to show up as a mother to her children even as they resided with her abuser throughout their childhood.
She has been a lifeline and steadfast presence for her children for 20 years. She is also an irreplaceable caretaker for others in her family. Several of her family members in the U.S., including her aunt and her mother, have medical conditions that require active care and support—a role that they all know would be played by Assia if she were allowed to return to the United States. Although nothing compares to her devotion to her children and broader family, she also committed herself fully to education while incarcerated, earning degrees and sharpening her brilliant mind and her gifts. Since her deportation, she has continued to show up for her family while also becoming a prominent activist on behalf of immigrants and criminalized survivors. Her absence is a devastating loss to everyone, and she unquestionably deserves another opportunity to share everything she has to offer with her loved ones and community in the U.S.
Her clemency application has been pending since May 2021, without response.