An immigrant’s search for safety has led him to Arkansas. | Photo by Sebastian Sørensen; licensed for free via CC0 and Pexels.com.
Editor’s Note: For security reasons and a fear of repercussions, the person in this story is not using his real name. He is referred to as “Sergio.”
“Sergio” arrived in Arkansas less than two years ago with his family, leaving behind a life many would consider comfortable. In his Latin American country, he and his family lived in a large house in a safe neighborhood, had a driver, a cook, and even a nanny for their children, and had built their own business that provided financial and professional stability. His children and wife had everything they needed. In his company, Sergio worked in administration and guided his employees. They had no intention of leaving, but the threats they began to receive completely changed their reality.
It all started when a close friend, someone Sergio had grown up with in the same neighborhood, go into trouble with local criminal groups. Sergio’s friend ran a successful car-buying and selling business. He had secured his assets for more than ten years but unfortunately became the target of extortion. Initially, he paid small sums, but the pressure gradually increased until it became unbearable.
“They started with $50 and little by little it went up to $700,” Sergio said. His friend tried to negotiate with the group leaders, but the attempt ended tragically: He was shot twice in front of his wife. This event marked a turning point for Sergio.
A year and a half later, Sergio’s family began receiving direct threats, warning them they could be killed in front of their children. It was then that they realized their safety was in serious danger.
“We stayed hidden in the house for more than two weeks, thinking it was a safe place, but even there I received a message that said, ‘Do you think we can’t kill you in front of your children?’” recalled Sergio.
Immediately after that incident, Sergio called a friend who was a police lieutenant to ask for guidance, and it was then that they decided to meet on the street and leave the country.
Leaving everything behind was not an easy decision. Sergio and his wife considered returning, weighing whether they could continue their business and maintain their lifestyle, but the risk was too high. Their children’s lives were at stake. In 2023, they ultimately decided to stay in the United States and apply for political asylum, believing this was the only way to guarantee their safety.
“Fortunately, my wife received her work permit and Social Security number first, and four months later I received mine, since we applied for asylum due to extortion,” Sergio said.
Adapting to life in Arkansas has been a constant challenge. Sergio doesn’t speak English fluently and is not a young man. His previous professional experience allowed him to start a small remodeling company, where he now supervises projects, works with clients and handles the administrative tasks he once managed in his home country. Gradually, thanks to his effort and the trust of his clients, he has managed to establish himself.
“I have a degree and a master’s degree in engineering. Back home, I supervised, and here I had to start in construction. My wife and I always wanted to run a business, so even though it hasn’t been easy, we’ve tried to start something. I do everything from interacting with clients to handling technical work and now our clients recommend us,” Sergio said.
Daily life has also changed for the family. Their children, especially the eldest, have struggled to adapt, and he still receives psychological support. His wife has taken on new responsibilities at home, such as cooking and managing household chores. Despite cultural barriers and occasional discrimination, the family remains united, focused on building a stable future.
Sergio acknowledges that starting a business in a foreign country is not easy. “There is a lot of discrimination. Sometimes Americans don’t trust you, and opportunities aren’t the same for everyone, but slowly we’ve managed to get clients,” he said.
His routine is intense: he leaves home early to work, returns in the afternoon, spends time with his children, and takes English classes at night. Weekends are filled with errands and household chores, but the family remains hopeful that with effort and patience, they can move forward.
“I always try to maintain a balance. After 6 p.m., I stop working and spend weekends with my family. I try to stay organized to get everything done, even though it’s not always easy,” Sergio said.
According to the American Immigration Council, the U.S. asylum system faces an enormous backlog of pending cases: as of December 31, 2024, there were nearly 1.45 million applications pending and more than 3.7 million open cases in immigration courts. In this context, the story of “Sergio” and his family not only reflects a personal search for safety but also highlights the possibility of facing a very long wait.
Sergio and his family’s story reflect the reality of many immigrants’ seeking political asylum in the United States: leaving behind a stable life, facing real threats, and rebuilding in an unfamiliar environment.