Up until the age of 12, Ezequiel worked every day collecting firewood that his father would sell. Ezequiel’s father beat him, his mother, and his siblings. Eventually, Ezequiel’s father abandoned the family, leaving them destitute.
With no money for school, Ezequiel was forced to work long hours doing agricultural work that barely left him and his family with enough money to eat. At the age of 17, Ezequiel decided to make the treacherous journey from Central America to the US to live with his brother in the hope of a better future.
After crossing the border into the United States, Ezequiel was picked up by border control and he was placed in a juvenile facility in Virginia served by CAIR Coalition. CAIR Coalition’s Detained Children’s Program placed his case with a pro bono attorney, Richard Siegel at Alston & Bird. Mr. Siegel assisted Ezequiel in securing a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Visa which allows him to remain in the US, safe from harm. Ezequiel recently received his green card and is currently attending high school and working part-time at a local restaurant.
