As a teenager, Ricardo was a youth pastor in El Salvador. The gangs in his neighborhood threatened him to stop inviting young people to the church. Ricardo refused to give up his calling and was attacked and injured by gang members one evening. The next time they would kill him, they said. Ricardo fled to Mexico, then the U.S.
At the border, Ricardo was sent to immigration detention in Arizona. For one year he was held by ICE—locked up for the first time in life—while he sought asylum. We worked with Ricardo to request release. It was 2020 when one day, without notice, ICE dropped Ricardo off in downtown Phoenix. Our teams leapt into action to help him find transportation to California, where he could live with an old friend.
For the past few years, Ricardo has worked in landscaping and gardening. He is active in a new church, where he provides youth ministry again and sings in the choir.
Although Ricardo was persecuted for practicing his religion – straightforward grounds for asylum – his case was denied. We won’t give up on Ricardo’s case for freedom and safety. Our attorneys and legal assistants are working hard on the appeal and are hopeful it will be granted justly.
As he awaits the decision, Ricardo is enjoying a peaceful life. He likes to work outside, where he sometimes sees wildlife passing through the property he maintains. He shared these photos of deer and of his New Years Eve. He still talks to his family in El Salvador every day and hopes that the new year brings news that he can continue working and living without fear.
Thank you for helping us defend asylum seekers like Ricardo!