Nico* is a 22-year-old man from El Salvador who suffered a horrendous childhood that included parental abandonment and frequent beatings by a sadistic teacher. Despite a serious criminal conviction, Nico is eligible for protection under the Convention Against Torture.

Alfonso* is an 18-year-old boy from Honduras. Alfonso's mother died when he was an infant, and his father is elderly and ill and can no longer provide care for him. In fact, for several years, Alfonso has taken on the caregiving role to help his father.

[Content warning: discusses sexual abuse of a minor] 
Franni* is a 12-year-old girl from El Salvador who was abandoned by her father when she was just 4 years old. Franni's father would physically abuse her mother to the point that she had to seek medical attention. In addition, Franni began receiving death threats from her uncle after she became aware that he was abusing her sister.

[Content warning: domestic violence and sexual assault]
Melia is a 13-year-old girl from El Salvador. Melia came to the United States in order to reunite with her mother, who had fled El Salvador and her violently abusive husband, Melia’s father, a few years earlier.

David* is a 13-year-old boy from El Salvador. David and his family were abandoned by his father when David was only 5 years old. Without the financial support of David’s father, his mother was left with the burden of supporting the family. David’s family was threatened by gang members multiple times while he was living in El Salvador.