The family fled political persecution in their home country and came to the US border to ask for asylum. They were held for several days in one of CBP’s notorious freezing cold cells where they had to sleep on the floor with only thin aluminum blankets. They huddled for warmth 2/
They were then sent to one of the most dangerous cities along the border, where asylum seekers are routinely targeted for kidnapping. Almost immediately, the family was forced into a truck and taken to a house where they were held against their will by armed men for weeks. 3/
There were several other kidnapped victims held along with them. Once their family back home finally managed to pay a portion of the ransom asked for in US dollars, they were dropped off at the bus station and told to leave. They hid, waiting for their US court date to arrive. 4/
Although they were terrified of returning to Nuevo Laredo, they believed in the US asylum system. In court, they told the judge what happened. They were referred for a non-refoulement interview w/an asylum officer to determine whether they likely face harm if sent to Mexico. 5/
The asylum officer failed them. They were sent back to Nuevo Laredo again. Already traumatized, they knew they couldn’t take a taxi or go near the bus terminal. They saw that Mexican immigration authorities were putting others in MPP on a bus bound for the far south of Mexico. 6/
With no money, and no other options, they were told they would be dropped off along the way. They wanted to stay close enough to the border that they would be able to show up to their second court hearing. The driver forced them off the bus on a lonely highway around midnight. 7/
Terrified and alone, they were forced to walk several kilometers. They can’t go home, though they desperately wish they could, because they’re certain they’ll face persecution. They can’t stay in Mexico because they reported their kidnappers to the police and fear retaliation.
They have decided not to continue their asylum case in the US because they can’t go back to Nuevo Laredo. To do so could mean voluntarily turning themselves over to their kidnappers. 9/
From dad: “After I protested (in my country) and fled, I really believed in the US and all its talk about human rights. But in reality, they don’t exist.”
