INTERN AND VOLUNTEER VOICES
Bernie
Ever since he was a young boy, Bernie* dreamed of joining his home country’s Air Force; he wanted to serve and be a pilot. The violent and precarious environment he grew up in made that dream impossible, stripping it from him without remorse. Living in omnipresent danger was crippling, and he feared that something would happen to him and his family. Eager to change the trajectory of his life, Bernie made the difficult decision to flee to the United States.
Wilmer
Esperanza Client
19-year-old Wilmer came to the U.S. from Guatemala in 2013. After working with Esperanza attorney Evelyn Cedeño-Naik, Wilmer won his case in the summer of 2016.
This fall, Wilmer will be a senior in high school, where he is a rising star on the soccer team. He enjoys studying math and English. Wilmer is an aspiring chef, and dreams of going to culinary school after graduation.
Eber
Esperanza Client
Eber is an 18-year-old from Guatemala. After arriving in the U.S. in 2014, Eber began working with an Esperanza attorney on his asylum case. Eber won his case in 2016 and is excited to be living in the United States permanently.
Eber will be entering the 11th grade this fall, and plans to attend college and eventually pursue a career in business. Eber enjoys playing soccer and several musical instruments, particularly the piano.
Brenda
Esperanza Client
Brenda is a 19-year-old from Guatemala. She came to the U.S. in 2013 and found herself in immigration removal proceedings. With the help of an Esperanza attorney, Brenda won her asylum case in 2015, allowing her to stay in the U.S.
Currently, Brenda is working and taking English classes. She likes to listen to music in English, watch cooking videos, cook, and play basketball. She dreams of becoming a chef in the future.
Angel
Esperanza Client
When Angel came to the U.S. from Guatemala in 2013, he was reunited with his mother after thirteen long years. Shortly after, he was placed in immigration removal proceedings. With the help of Esperanza staff attorney, Evelyn Cedeño-Naik, Angel was granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and then a Green Card, which will allow him to remain in the U.S. permanently.
This fall, 18-year-old Angel will be a senior in high school, where he plans to take four AP courses and several honors classes. Last school year, he was the president of an after-school club called “JUCRIS” which aims to keep recent immigrant students on an academic track. After graduation, Angel wants to attend college in California to stay close to his family.
Jhonatan
Esperanza Client
Jhonatan was born in El Salvador, and his parents immigrated to the U.S. when he was a small child. In 2014, Jhonatan came to the U.S. and was placed in removal proceedings. Jhonatan began to work with Esperanza attorney Evelyn Cedeño-Naik and together, less than a year later, they won his case. Since arriving in the U.S., 18-year-old Jhonatan has been attending school and preparing to apply to colleges (Columbia and UC Berkeley are his current top choices). Jhonatan enjoys reading books by Miguel de Unamuno (the famous Spanish essayist, poet and philosopher) and solving Rubik’s Cube puzzles in record time (his personal best is 30 seconds!)
