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...]

Like many women who suffer domestic abuse, Marisol bore her partner’s insults and assaults for a time, hoping he might change and wanting to keep her children and parents safe from violent repercussions. When she decided to file a report, the authorities would not intervene. Early this year, after a particularly life-threatening episode, there was no denying the danger of the situation—either flee or be killed. Until November, Marisol, 27, lived with her partner, Daniel, and their … [Read more...]

Fredys arrived at the KBI comedor from Honduras two years ago, fleeing violence and recruitment from organized crime. When he decided to seek asylum, the KBI/Florence Project Legal Fellow took on his case. Despite the obstacles, his claim was approved, an example of how legal representation can impact outcomes. Today, Fredys lives in Virginia, and returned to Arizona last month to share his story at the KBI Dinner.   In his hometown of Choluteca, Honduras, 26-year-old Fredys Sevilla … [Read more...]