hopeful, but there s a good chance it may not be granted. reporter: cindy madrid left to protect allison, her only child, from gang violence. allison tot allison told us what her understanding is of that threat. the gang, she says, they wanted to steal me. the attorney says if cindy madrid loses her case and is sent back to el salvador, that is not an overstatement. could be death. they had very serious problems with gang violence. they had no protection by the police as well. so we re not expecting anything good if she is returned back home. reporter: allison jimena says houston is now her home. it is a sunny day when friends stick together. reporter: the end. finished. okay. reporter: but this legal battle is far from finished. gary tuchman, cnn, houston.