Many people ask what our clients are experiencing, so we’re launching a monthly article series that shares real-life stories from our clients’ and staff’s day-to-day realities. These updates will offer an honest look at what is actually happening inside our work and how those experiences shape the work we do.
A case involving a young father, a U.S. citizen child, and detention
Recently, we worked with a 24-year-old father of a U.S. citizen infant, just four months old. He and his wife arrived in the United States earlier this year after fleeing violence in Ecuador. They entered the country lawfully, presented themselves to authorities, and followed the immigration process as instructed. As part of that process, they were placed on electronic monitoring and continued to comply with all requirements.
While complying with all instructions, they became victims of a violent crime. Their landlord attacked the father with a knife in an incident that nearly took his life. Both parents cooperated fully with law enforcement and were formally identified as victims.
At that time, the family was pursuing protection through a U visa– a form of legal protection for people who have been victims of serious crimes in the U.S. and who cooperate with law enforcement, allowing them to remain in the country safely while assisting in the investigation or prosecution, based on the violent crime they survived and their cooperation with authorities. However, despite having no criminal record and despite their cooperation, both parents were later detained.
The mother was ultimately released because there was no other family member available to care for their U.S. citizen infant. She is now caring for the baby alone while the father remains in custody.
This case reflects what we are seeing on the ground: families who flee violence, comply with the law, and still encounter unexpected outcomes that create serious challenges—even when legal protections were already in progress.
