By JR Seena
In the normal course of events, there is nothing in my background that would ever have placed me any closer to Lazara Ordaz than a courtroom—with me as the attorney and Laz as the client. Yet, I found myself Laz’s bunkie in federal prison. When I left Danbury, Laz came to me with tears in her eyes and said, “please don’t forget me Bunkie” and I never have. I have become one of the primary advocates fighting for her freedom.
Please let me tell you about my friend Laz.
Laz was only 21 when she came to America from Cuba as part of the infamous Mariel Boat Lift in 1980. She was a teacher in Cuba but became a “nobody” in her adopted country—no job prospects and no vocational training. The exact details are unimportant but after several years of struggling to make a new life, Laz was recruited by local drug dealers looking for “employees.” This was, after all, Miami in the 1980’s and Lazara was blinded by the trappings of that life.
After numerous encounters with law enforcement, Lazara was ultimately indicted in 1998 and pled guilty in 1999 to drug conspiracy charges. Due to the mandatory nature of the US Sentencing Guidelines, Laz was sentenced to a term of 35 YEARS. As of this writing Laz, now almost 62, has served nearly 22 years of that sentence. Laz has maintained a virtually spotless disciplinary record while in prison—no violence, no contraband, no insubordination—no easy feat in an environment where a packet of sugar from the dining hall could land you in segregation.
The major problem for Laz is that she cannot shake off her past—particularly not the misconceptions of it. There was an incident where local miscreants were riding dirt bikes dangerously close to children playing in the street. Laz was known as the godmother of the community organizing block parties and providing Christmas and Easter gifts to everyone in the neighborhood at her own expense. When Laz observed the dangers to the children, she yelled at them to stop. Their response was to return to the scene and retaliate by shooting recklessly. Instead of seeking safety for herself, Laz’s response was to herd the children to safety. Unfortunately, one young girl was wounded in the ensuing chaos. Thankfully that child survived and is living a happy and healthy life with children of her own. The pretrial report written about Laz unjustly condemns her and brands her as violent even though she was not the cause of that child’s injury. Maritza, the child’s mother, has written a letter supporting Laz’s release from prison and hailing her not as the shooter but rather a hero who likely saved her child’s life.
Convinced of Laz’s lack of culpability in that incident, Maritza’s impassioned letter to the President, the Judge, and the Bureau of Prisons clarified Laz’s actions in no uncertain terms. “Our family does not believe that Lazara did anything that day but try to protect the children. She deserves a second chance. She is over 60 years old now and the community is prepared to welcome her home.”
Maritza’s words convinced the BOP that Laz was not responsible and deemed her eligible for home confinement under the CARES ACT, in lieu of prison. When Laz’s paperwork moved through the system, it was discovered she had an immigration detainer. Such is the case for all non-citizens and especially those from the Mariel Boat Lift. Given the current political unrest in Cuba it is extremely unlikely Laz will be deported, but the detainer stands. So, the BOP cannot give Laz a release date until the detainer is lifted and immigration will not lift the detainer because Laz has no official release date. Laz is stuck in a typical bureaucratic Catch-22 SNAFU leaving executive clemency as her only remaining option. Laz’s clemency request has been tirelessly promoted by the CANDO Foundation, her family, friends, and many advocates who are hoping to secure her release while she can still have a meaningful and productive life.
To be clear: Laz understands she committed crimes and deserved punishment and even incarceration—but 35 YEARS? During her two plus decades in prison, Laz has suffered the loss of her grandmother, mother, two brothers, a nephew, and a cousin who was more like a sister. It is enough! Laz has rehabilitated by taking over 75 courses, both vocational and self-improvement, virtually guaranteeing her ability to get a job.
Laz’s fervent wish and that of your author, is that she be released while she still has any family to which to return—specifically her daughter who bought a home with a room with Laz’s name on it.
Although Laz was and is a solid candidate for clemency, she was overlooked by the past two administrations. Laz’s village of supporters are praying for better results from the Biden administration.
Additional information regarding the clemency of Lazara Ordaz can be obtained at www.candoclemency.com
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