Ariel

Ariel grew up in Guatemala facing a double threat: gang violence in his community and abuse in his home. Gangs in Guatemala actively recruit young boys, often through threats and violence. Those who refuse face deadly consequences. At home, Ariel found no refuge from the violence outside.

At 15, Ariel made the brave decision to flee. He traveled north through Mexico and crossed into the United States, eventually making his way to Washington State. The journey was dangerous, but Ariel knew that staying in Guatemala meant either joining a gang or dying.

Arriving in Washington State as an unaccompanied minor, Ariel faced the challenge of building a life from nothing. He had no family, no resources, and no legal status. He needed help navigating a system he didn't understand in a language he was still learning.

The Latino Civic Alliance Youth Coalition connected Ariel with legal resources and community support. They helped him understand his options and connected him with attorneys who could file for SIJS. The process documented both the gang violence he fled and the abuse he suffered at home.

Ariel's SIJS petition was approved in 2017, and he received a work permit that allowed him to legally support himself. While he continues to wait for his green card due to visa backlogs, the approval gave him the ability to work and build a future.

Today, Ariel is working legally and building his future in Washington State. He has become part of a community that supported him when he had nothing. He is proof that with the right help, young people can overcome even the most difficult circumstances.