Rodrigo is an asylum-seeker from Cuba currently waiting in Nogales, Sonora. It took him five months to reach the U.S./Mexico border, and his journey included several months in difficult conditions in Mexican detention facilities, walking for days through isolated terrain, and being at constant risk for extortion and kidnapping. He dreams of bringing his family to safety and opportunity in the U.S. Rodrigo (name changed at his request to protect privacy) is a 51-year-old asylum-seeker … [Read more...]
Magdalena’s Story: A Nurse’s Experience in Cuba
Magdalena is a nurse from Cuba who had to leave after a violent attack by police for her political expressions and the cancellation of her medical license after she expressed that she did not want to go on a medical mission to Venezuela. Her journey to the border has taken over three years, and she is currently awaiting the outcome of her asylum case in the Eloy detention facility, where she has been since May. Magdalena is a 37-year-old woman from Cuba who is currently detained in Eloy, … [Read more...]
Asylum Stories: How Legal Counsel Helps Win Cases
Since its inception in August 2017, the KBI–Florence Project Legal Fellow Program has provided representation for numerous asylum seekers, handling their cases throughout the process and boosting the chances of success. Here are three stories of people who, despite the odds, won their asylum cases through their perseverance and the support of counsel from the Legal Fellow. The KBI–Florence Project Legal Fellow represents asylum seekers encountered by the KBI and detained after presenting … [Read more...]
Estrella’s Story: The Impact of Remain in Mexico
When Estrella arrived at the KBI shelter with her 4-year-old daughter, Blanca, in June, she had already endured death threats, a harrowing journey from her native El Salvador, and separation from two younger siblings. Now, she had to wait in Mexico for the duration of her asylum case. Her story illustrates the harmful and traumatic consequences of the Remain in Mexico policy. In 2017, Estrella (23) was living with her three younger siblings (ages 9, 12, and 17), her mother, and her … [Read more...]
Paloma’s Story: Unexpectedly Seeking Asylum
Single mom and small business owner Paloma never expected to have to flee her home in Mexico, much less seek asylum. That changed when she couldn’t afford the payments demanded by a local cartel, and wouldn’t turn over her 9-year-old son to work for them. After an extreme beating and six weeks in the hospital, Paloma found herself with few options and little choice—now she and her son wait at the U.S.–Mexico border to seek asylum. About three months ago, Paloma (25), and her son … [Read more...]