When our client Angelica* shared her persecution story with Florence Project attorney, Erin Goeman, her heart sank. Angelica was pregnant and had migrated to the U.S. to live with her mother after enduring a cruel act at the hands of an aunt in Guatemala.
When Angelica learned she was pregnant on a previous occasion, she was thrilled, but her aunt ordered her to get an abortion. Angelica refused, but days later, her aunt served her a tea that secretly contained ingredients to trigger a miscarriage. Angelica lost the pregnancy soon afterward – the final devastating blow after years of physical and emotional abuse. She decided to flee to the U.S. Upon arrival, Angelica learned she was pregnant again. As a teenager, she was detained at a children’s shelter and put into removal proceedings.
She feared what would happen to her and her unborn child if she was deported back to Guatemala. When people’s lives are at risk, the government should provide free legal defense, but in immigration court, it generally does not. Until that day comes, we will continue to answer the call.
Our Children’s Program worked with Angelica for years on her case. We witnessed her growth as she reunified with her mother and became a mother herself. She settled into her new community and is thriving in her job at a Latin foods grocery store. And recently, Angelica won asylum! For her final meeting with her Florence Project team, we ate cake and sang the Spanish version of “Let It Go” from Frozen, titled “Libre Soy”—I am free.
“I feel very happy and grateful. I can stay here with my daughter,” Angelica said. “My dream is to own a home, work, and build a future for my daughter.”
*pseudonym used to protect privacy