With Guatemala in the headlines as asylum seekers from that country have arrived at the U.S.–Mexico border, Carlos shared his story with the KBI. At 18 years old, he has already experienced a lifetime of discrimination, violence and trauma throughout his childhood. His journey sheds light on the compelling reasons Guatemalans are leaving their homeland to seek protection and safety in the U.S. For 18-year-old Carlos and his family, discrimination and persecution were a regular … [Read more...]
Mateo’s Story: Faces of the Refugee Caravan
Violence is a common experience faced by hundreds of Central American asylum seekers fleeing their homes in search of safety for themselves and their families. On April 9th, 16-year-old Mateo and his mother, Lilian, arrived in Nogales, Sonora after leaving their home in La Ceiba, Honduras over two months earlier as part of the Refugee Caravan, organized by Pueblo Sin Fronteras to call attention to the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. As families begin to reach cities along the … [Read more...]
Angela and Alfonso’s Story: The Burden of Borders
Our story this month highlights the stresses that deportation creates for new parents who welcomed their child together and must now face the challenges of separation. Like many immigrants, Alfonso came to the U.S. in his late twenties, looking for work and a better life. After getting a job in construction and establishing roots in his Salt Lake City community, Alfonso met Angela, his future wife and a U.S. citizen. The couple settled down together in Utah and welcomed their first child soon … [Read more...]
María’s Story: After Detention, the Road to Asylum
María fled her native Guatemala, seeking asylum in the U.S. Her journey included 8 harrowing months in detention, a crucial 6-month bond hearing, and release upon raising her $9,000 bond with the help of the community. In the shadow of the traumas she’s experienced and with her asylum case pending, María looks ahead with hope. Of her eight months in Arizona’s Eloy Detention Center, María says, “I felt like there was no way out, like the world was going to end. I cried every day, not knowing … [Read more...]
Marisela’s Story: Fear, Trauma and Family Separation
When Marisela arrived at the comedor at the end of last summer after a smuggler left her behind, she had already endured domestic violence, threats to her life, and separation from her young daughter in Guatemala. Despite these spirit-crushing experiences, her perseverance and the KBI’s support have helped her continue to seek a brighter future. Marisela, like all who turn to the KBI, has a heart-breaking story that led her to our doorstep. In her home country of Guatemala, she faced … [Read more...]