AFRICA — Georges was at his home in east Africa when government security agents came calling.
For no apparent reason, they took him to headquarters for interrogation. Under duress, he agreed to show his “patriotism” by spying on someone he had met through his work; that person was allegedly trying to foment armed revolution in a neighboring country.
Georges never spied as he had promised. As a result, he was arrested again, and this time placed in a cell with torture victims. The security police told him to either complete his assignment or face the grim fate reserved for perceived government opponents.
Upon his release, he fled the country. After that, his family’s home was searched, several friends and relatives were arrested, and some were killed.
An APA volunteer attorney helped Georges file his asylum application and represented him at his asylum interviews in Phoenix. He was granted asylum.
CENTRAL AMERICA — Shot by police during a demonstration, Jairo avoided going to the hospital to have his wounds treated for fear of being arrested and jailed. But, police sought him at his home and workplace. He fled the country with his wife and child.
APA recruited a private attorney, Siovhan Ayala, to represent Jairo’s asylum case and shared the cost of attorney fees with him. The family was granted asylum in February 2023.