My friend and Round Table colleague Judge Lory D. Rosenberg sent me the following this morning:
I want to share some awful news I learned last night. Lisa Brodyaga is in hospice with very little if any time left.
Its so sad.
If any of you know Lisa and wish to communicate with her before she leaves us, send an email to her at her email address. Friends will retrieve the emails and read them to her. Her friend Thelma Garcia told me Lisa listened tonight with her eyes closed and was smiling as Thelma read them to her.
Here’s Lisa’s e-mail address: lisabrodyaga@aol.com
And, here’s a bit about her long and illustrious career.
NIPNLG Proudly Announces its 2019 Member Honorees
Lisa Brodyaga and Al Otro Lado
Please join NIPNLG in paying tribute to two extraordinary honorees on the frontlines fighting injustice every day.
Lisa Brodyaga
Lisa Brodyaga has represented asylum seekers and other immigrants, and even U.S. citizens, since 1978. Since 1981, she has been certified in immigration and nationality law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. In 1985, Lisa co-founded Refugio Del Rio Grande, a 501(c)3 refugee camp and law office on a 45-acre wilderness near Harlingen, Texas, where she still serves as a volunteer attorney. Initially, most of Lisa’s work involved asylum seekers, including arguing Guevara-Flores v. INS (5th Cir. 1986); and also lawful permanent residents, including in Diaz-Resendez v. INS (5th Cir. 1992). Lisa’s career is punctuated with victories, such as Carranza de Salinas v. Holder (5th Cir. 2012), and many others, without which, many critical pro-immigrant court decisions would not be – or would not have been – possible. Lisa lives on the premises of Refugio, nurturing her farm roots, with her beloved Boxers, a horse, a pair of white llamas, a flock of chickens, and a small, very spoiled, herd of cattle.
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Lisa argued a number of cases before the BIA during my tenure. We also frequently were on opposite sides of litigation during my tenure at the OGC of the “Legacy INS,” as well as being on the “same side” during my time in the private sector and academia.
No matter what side we were on, I always appreciated Lisa’s passion, scholarship, and willingness to take on the most difficult and important issues for her often pro bono or “low bono” clients.
Lisa certainly has been a role model for the totally dedicated NDPA attorney — saving the lives of the most vulnerable among us and aggressively working every day to improve and protect our democracy.
My deepest appreciation for “a life well lived,” Lisa! May eternal peace and mercy be with you! I will miss you.
🇺🇸Due Process Forever!
PWS
09-28-21