WASHINGTON — A Haitian woman who escaped dangerous circumstances pleaded to the White House on Friday as she’s facing deportation.
Meritha shared her story exclusively with WUSA9 about her meeting at the White House after she made Montgomery County her home last June.
"It was dangerous,” Meritha said. “Insecurity very high, so we had to run away."
Meritha kept her head high despite the current battle she’s fighting to stay in Montgomery County.
"I'm afraid,” Meritha said.
Next week, she is facing deportation proceedings, but that’s why she decided to share her story at the White House with Tom Perez, the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
"It's not easy, the process but that's the best way because we have to ask for it, we need it to have a good life,” Meritha said.
Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink supported Meritha along this visit.
"We should not be working on removing folks who are not law enforcement priorities." Mink said. "These are folks who entered the country legally."
Mink said this is a big issue for several Haitian people with a similar story who are living in not only her district but throughout the entire state of Maryland.
"Right now we are dealing with extreme gang violence, there's turmoil,” said Guerline Jozef, founder of Haitian Bridge Alliance. “We had the assassination of the president two years ago, there's kidnapping and an entire county that's under gang control."
Mink said, "It's causing a lot of difficulty and chaos in our home communities."
For now, everyone involved for the push for Meritha to stay said they’re optimistic about the future.
Meritha said, "I have hope because I'm alive."
Meritha and Mink said they think Friday’s meeting at the White House went well. Mink said her and 50 other elected officials from Maryland signed and sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security because the issue is so widespread.
>Read the full letter below:
Meritha's proceedings are schedule for Wednesday, WUSA9 will continue to follow this story.
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