Asylum Under Attack
Every day, people around the world make one of the most painful decisions imaginable: to leave their homes behind in search of safety. Many are fleeing violence, persecution, and instability in the hopes of finding refuge and a chance to rebuild their lives.
But here in the United States, that hope is under threat.
In recent weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has repeatedly arrested asylum seekers at the immigration courthouse in Portland — a chilling escalation that sends a dangerous message: even those following the legal process are not safe.
This is not just a policy issue. It’s a human rights crisis.
Jessica’s Story: A Journey of Courage and Survival
Jessica* and her three sons fled their small village in Guatemala after local cartels murdered her husband and threatened to recruit her children into gangs. She traveled over 1,000 miles, risking everything, to seek asylum in the United States.
Instead of safety, Jessica was turned away at the border. She was kidnapped, assaulted, and separated from one of her children. When she was finally allowed into the country, she was forced to wear an ankle monitor for two years before she could even tell her story to a judge.
With the help of Immigration Counseling Service (ICS), Jessica was reunited with her children, secured work authorization, and began to rebuild her life.
But thousands of others like Jessica are still waiting and still vulnerable.
*Note: Names and details in this story have been altered to protect the client’s identity.
Why Asylum Matters
The right to seek asylum is protected under U.S. and international law. It is a cornerstone of our moral and legal obligations, as well as a vital lifeline for people fleeing unimaginable danger.
Yet the Trump Administration continues to dismantle these protections, turning away families at the border, criminalizing those who seek safety, and arresting those who are in the U.S. seeking asylum.
Take Action Today
ICS is on the front lines, providing legal services, reuniting families, and defending the rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. But we can’t do it without your help.
👉 Make your gift today at www.ics-law.org/donate-today
Together, we can ensure that the United States is a place of refuge for the most vulnerable migrants.