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4 ¦ DECEMBER 9, 2019 NEWS

¦ From MEET THE on PAGE 1 learned you have to be
No novice to well-publicized immigration cases, creative with options,
O’Neil-Baker has represented hundreds of clients and to pursue many
in immigration disputes, including about eight different angles, and
well-publicized cases such as Walton’s. One client, to keep scratching the
Guatemalan Joel Colindres, was the subject of the surface until you find
documentary “The Deported.” an option that works.”
But O’Neil-Baker, a 44-year-old partner with O ’ N e i l - B a k e r
the Hartford Legal Group, said she’s received continued: “We’ve
major pushback from government officials for had about 20 deci-
defending Walton. While O’Neil-Baker would not sions in the Walton
name the officials or the government entities, she case and maybe two
said more than one official has been critical of her good ones, but she’s
via email and in telephone calls in a way that she still here.” O’Neil-
sees as being unfair. Baker said she hopes Wayzaro Walton has been
“The biggest challenge for me is to keep going the case is finally released from federal detention.

when my professional reputation is being criticized,” resolved in 2020,
said the Hartford native, who switched from civil adding, “I’m in this for the long haul.”
litigation to immigration law about 11 years ago. Walton is not in detention anymore, but she still
Today, she said, more than 95% of her work is repre- has a removal order facing her from the government.
senting clients in immigration matters. The matter will most likely fall back to the Board of
“I was never threatened, but I was made to feel as Immigration Appeals, O’Neil-Baker said.
if I should let the case go. It’s just difficult to listen The BIA is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
to people questioning my professionalism,” O’Neil- No one from the DOJ responded to a request for
Baker said. “Some people might think I’ve been comment Monday.
aggressive in my litigation options.” Meanwhile, Tong has worked closely with O’Neil-
But O’Neil-Baker said she will continue to zeal- Baker on the Walton matter and other similar cases.
ously advocate to keep her client, who is married “She is a very committed and dedicated public ser-
and has a teenage daughter, from being deported. To vant,” Tong said Monday about O’Neil-Baker. “Apart
date, O’Neil-Baker said she’s probably logged more from being a lawyer in private practice, it takes a lot
than 500 hours representing Walton. That represen- of commitment to do the kind of work she does. She
tation has included oral arguments in front of the is an extraordinary lawyer. To do this work at the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, status level she does it takes grit and toughness. She truly
conferences with district courts in Connecticut, a cares about her clients.”
stay-of-removal request every year, and more briefs O’Neil-Baker graduated in 2000 from Seton Hall
than O’Neil-Baker can remember. University Law School. She has been an attorney in
The attorney said she’s learned a lot about her- Connecticut for about 20 years.
self in representing Walton, whose case garnered “I get to go home to my house everyday and I get
the support of Connecticut’s U.S. Sens. Richard to see my family,” she said. “Knowing Wayzaro was
Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, Attorney Gen- in jail, even though she had a full pardon, kept me
eral William Tong, along with mayors and other prodding and going forward to find a solution.” ¦
political leaders.
“We’ve gotten a lot of bad decisions from the courts, Robert Storace covers legal trends, lawsuits and
including the Second Circuit, and from ICE them- analysis for the Connecticut Law Tribune. Follow
selves,” O’Neil-Baker said. “I’ve learned that you never him on Twitter @RobertSCTLaw or reach him at
give up, never say no, and never close the door. I also 203-437-5950.

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