“My dream has always been that my son would have a good place to live, somewhere safe….a park where he could play. It pains me that I can’t take him to the park to play. My son is twelve years old and he does not know what it means to play in a park.” -Elena, asylum seeker  Fleeing Persecution in Guerrero, Mexico Elena began reshaping her life several years ago when she and her husband separated. She and her  twelve year old son, Emilio, moved back to Elena’s hometown in Guerrero, …Read More

In her home country of Venezuela, “Curly,” a young professional working in communications was subject to attacks and persistent threats because of her political stance. She reached a tipping point during the night of April 25th, 2019. That night would be her last in Venezuela, arising the next morning to flee North. Making her way through South America and Mexico, she arrived at the U.S. Mexico border in Juarez, Chihuahua. Upon arrival, she presented herself at the United States port of entry to …Read More

Lucas arrived to the comedor in late May after over three months detained in La Palma, Arizona. His wife and children are on the East Coast pursuing their asylum claims there, but Lucas was sent to detention instead. He was so afraid of contracting the virus that he elected to stop fighting a deportation order, even though he is very afraid of the threat of violence in Mexico. However, he estimated that he was more likely to survive in Mexico instead of detention. He hopes above all to see his …Read More