A family vacation to Disney World was meant to be a holiday; for Gabriela, it became a desperate escape from the escalating violence in her homeland of Ecuador. In Guayaquil, where she once enjoyed a comfortable, middle-class life with a stable job in television, Gabriela's world unraveled as cartel violence surged, prompting her to flee with her daughter under threats of death.
Initially, she believed the gangs targeted only the wealthy, but when the threats became personal—a call instructing her to pay or face dire consequences—her safety was called into question. The tipping point came when her daughter's grandfather was kidnapped, leading to a horrific ordeal where he was eventually murdered, leaving a gruesome reminder for the family.
Gripped by fear, Gabriela's partner urged her to take their daughter to the US, where they hoped for safety. Now, she joins the swelling ranks of asylum seekers, with countless individuals from Latin America claiming refuge from cartel violence. However, the US asylum framework presents a complex challenge. Applicants like Gabriela must assert their claims based on specific persecution grounds, but the nuances of cartel violence make it difficult to fit neatly into existing categories established by the Refugee Convention.
Experts argue that current US asylum laws, particularly those enacted during Donald Trump's administration, create barriers for people escaping systemic violence. As legal definitions of persecution evolve, Gabriela prepares to request political asylum, asserting that corruption within the Ecuadorian justice system hindered her safety.
While the Biden administration has reassured applicants that they are not alone, challenges remain. A vast backlog in asylum hearings has left applicants like Gabriela living in a state of anxiety and uncertainty, facing potential deportation. Additional concerns surround allegations that designating cartels as terrorist organizations may inadvertently entrap victims in legal limbo, complicating their already difficult pursuit of asylum.
Both Gabriela and others who fled their homes, such as Maria and Luis, express the profound struggles that shape their lives—filled with fear of raids and the potential rejection of their claims. As they contend with a hostile political climate around immigration, they share a common desire for peace and order, hoping for a future where their children can thrive without fear of violence tied to their past.
As the US grapples with complicated immigration policies, these individuals persist, embodying the struggle of countless others who yearn for safety and stability amidst the chaos of cartel-driven violence in their native countries.
