Sergio* is an outgoing young man from Guatemala with a generous smile and big city dreams. However, when he met with the Florence Project team for a portrait to celebrate his Legal Permanent Residency, he donned a serious expression as the shutter clicked. He wanted some pictures that captured his strength and determination. Those were attributes he relied on through the seven-year process required for him to receive Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a visa for unaccompanied children who’ve fled violence or neglect.
“I feel kind of awkward having my picture taken,” Sergio admitted. But it wasn’t long before he was smiling and laughing, and by the end of the day, he was suggesting additional portraits with different backgrounds such as the Phoenix skyline. Sergio reflected on his experience as an unaccompanied child detained in a Phoenix children’s shelter, the advocacy he received, and his plans for the future in a conversation that we’re excited to share with you.
Q. Your case went on for over six years. How did that process go for you?
It was so many years, but it also seems like it went fast to me now that it’s over. Thank God they gave me residency. I’m happy for all that and thanks to [Florence Project legal advocates] Rebecca, Andrew, and Victoria for their patience. They did a good job for me. When you have patience, in the end all things turn out well.
Q. You never lost hope?
To be honest, no. I knew the moment was going to arrive someday.
Q. What was the most difficult situation about migrating to the U.S.?
When I first got here, I was housed in a shelter and locked up in there I was sad for months. No one could get me out. I have brothers here, but they couldn’t get me out of there. I had to endure a year locked up there.
Later, I had a bit more freedom because I had to go to school, and I really liked school. I studied English, and I liked learning. When I came here, I couldn’t speak any English, but right now I speak about 70%.
Q. What are your hopes for the future now that you’re done with immigration court?
Right now, I’m thinking about moving to Chicago. It’s just about two hours from my brothers and nephews [in Michigan]. I’ve been there with my brothers three times. I like the weather and the city. In the future, I am thinking of going back to school. I have a goal I want to achieve, which is to own a barber shop. I need diplomas to start my own business. I already know how to cut hair but that is also what I am thinking about studying for a year or two.
Q. How did you learn to cut hair?
I started here, when I was in the shelter. In the program, there were about ten children, and we cut our own hair. When I cut it for the first time, it caught my interest. Sometimes I’d watch videos on YouTube. The first time I did it, it didn’t work out for me. But the second time, and then the third time, I was better and better. With time, one learns.
Q. How do you remember the moment when you learned that you won relief?
I felt happy, really, because my family is already here. I was with my brothers for about four days last week, and I talked about the situation like: I came here at 15 years of age, I was very young. Now I’m 23. Being here in this country, I’m really happy. As I told you, thanks to Rebecca and Andrew for their patience, because without them I was not going to achieve that goal. I thank them for supporting me.
At Sergio’s final court hearing, the judge congratulated him, and the interpreter was excited to see Sergio’s heartfelt response. He hugged his Florence Project attorney and grinned with that special combination of pride and relief that we’re always thrilled to witness. We extend our deepest gratitude to you. Thank you for valuing Sergio’s success.
*Pseudonym used to protect privacy.