Helping Gabriel Apply for Asylum, Just in the Nick of Time

“Gabriel” – a gay man – had fled Mexico in fear for his life. There, he was drugged and sexually assaulted after leaving a gay club, contracting HIV as a result. When neighbors learned he was HIV+, they started harassing him. On top of the stress of managing his HIV status and the harassment, narcos had targeted his family and kidnapped his sister-in-law for ransom. Gabriel was unable to leave his house fearing further violence and extortion.

After arriving in the U.S. to escape these dangers, Gabriel spent months looking for assistance to apply for asylum, which should be done within one year of one’s arrival in the country. The nonprofits to which Gabriel turned either had a long waiting list or didn’t call back. He approached a private immigration lawyer, but that attorney said he would charge $20,000 to handle the application—and Gabriel could not afford the required $8,000 down payment. With the filing deadline rapidly approaching, Gabriel came to ALRP.

Staff Attorney Slater Stanley quickly got to work, meeting with Gabriel several times to gather the information needed for his asylum application. Working closely, they were able to file the asylum application shortly before the deadline and preserve Gabriel’s eligibility for relief. Now, Gabriel will be eligible to apply for a work permit in five months, and ALRP will be here to help him when the time comes.

Gabriel shared: “I really appreciate that you have helped me [and] listened to me. I now have peace of mind.”

Staff Attorney Slater Stanley