Gustavo – Political Asylum

 THE FIGHT FOR A FUTURE IN PEACE

Ever since Sr. Gustavo became major of a town in the cost of Colombia, his life has been split in the love he has for his town and the terrifying terrorist threats made by the Guerilla. He and his family were faced with one of the worst nightmares ever. After 8 years, finally, this Colombian ex-politic started believing in the future and in life again.

Between the desk and the fire arms

After his renounce as the Guerilla demanded, Sr. Gustavo was declared a military objective. There were so many pressures and threats, especially the one where they tried to kidnap him in his own home, it was so bad that his wife got sick, Causing her death.

During his three years in office, this ex-major was obligated to work with in the scary moments and the security issues. “I would have to sometimes leave office or major away from the office and even sometimes at long distances or even at home. The situation got worst every time.” Confessed Sr. Gustavo. When he finalized his term as major, Sr. Gustavo left his body guard and his security which the government supplied, which made him more vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

Due to his letting go of the security, Sr. Gustavo began his stage of skipping from town to town. He stayed in many different cities and towns within Colombia. This caused him not to be able to keep a stable job so his economic status keeps on going down hill. “ I was in so much debt that I even had to repose my house, I am loosing all my stuff,” confessed Sr. Gustavo.

The illusion of a new beginning

For four years Sr. Gustavo traveled all around his territory in search of peace and a good settlement for him. His only alternative was to leave his country that is why in the year 2006 thanks to his friend’s help, this hard working man came to the United States in search of a second chance.

To begin a new life at age 59 in a foreign country is very difficult and especially if you are alone and with no economic resources. That is why he will never get tiered of thanking the organization CASA which helped him in his political struggle.

CASA and his approval to the political asylum

“Your case requires many careful steps; we have to demonstrate that Sr. Gustavo was a victim of political persecutions and tell his story. In CASA we were able to usefully get him politic asylum with in the first three months, this Colombian already counted on his new life beginning and even the permission to work” says Albert Perez,  CASA’s former immigration attorney .

“CASA is an organization that has a great labor with everyone, even in the conditions of a bad economic status. I admire and appreciate the responsibilities that they take and the promises they make but never break.” says this Colombian immigrant.

Sr. Gustavo is in the process of getting his life back, he is in the process of installing his own business. In the morning he works in a Colombian restaurant but at night he studies English.

* The name used in this story was fictional. Due to security reasons, the protagonist of this story preferred to keep his name anonymous.