After Years of Abuse Alfredo Reaches Safety
Background
Alfredo* was an 18-year-old Guatemalan citizen. By age 9, Alfredo was abandoned by his father and mother and left under the care of his maternal grandmother. Alfredo’s older cousin sexually abused him from the age of 13 and at one point strangled and threatened to kill him. Alfredo’s cousin had also forced him to drink alcohol and to smoke. When Alfredo was 15 years old, days before Christmas in 2014, his cousin raped him. Out of fear for his life and safety, Alfredo traveled through Mexico to get to the United States, where his father lives.
Assistance
Alfredo entered the United States as an unaccompanied minor when he was 15. Alfredo was afraid to return to Guatemala. He feared his cousin would continue to sexually abuse him or kill him and that no one was able to protect him in Guatemala. The cousin had indeed been asking Alfredo’s brother about Alfredo’s whereabouts and if he was coming back.
When this case reached Broward Lawyers Care, we assigned Alfredo’s case to an experienced pro bono attorney to represent him in immigration court on his petition for asylum.
Why it Matters
We were thrilled with the judge’s determination. After years of abuse, Alfredo had finally achieved safety. Alfredo is now able to stay in the United States with his father and does not have to fear for his life or safety since he can no longer be deported back to Guatemala.