We are looking for someone to testify, either in person in San Francisco or over the phone.  In addition, we would probably need to have one or two phone meetings to prepare the testimony. Below is a description of the case. Anyone who is interested can contact us at laurapolstein@centrolegal.org or kyralilien@centrolegal.org.

This is an especially compelling case in light of the extraordinary persecution that our client suffered as a boy in Guatemala, coupled with his heroic role in a murder prosecution here in the U.S.  Many of us in the Bay Area find that the immigration judges patently assume that there are no problems in Guatemala since the peace accords were signed, and it is incumbent upon us to educate them with expert testimony. This client has a genuine, legitimate fear for his safety in Guatemala.

Unfortunately, he has been detained in ICE custody for more than one year and he is not able to remunerate any professionals working on his case.  Centro Legal is a non-profit law office, and we represent him on a pro bono basis. 

Our client was pressured into joining the guerrillas when they took over direction of his primary school in San Marcos around 1989 at age 9.  By age 10, he had received full combat training and was participating in strategic firefights to engage the military forces with diversionary tactics.  At age 12, in 1992, he was involved in a battle where two boys were killed and the bodies were left behind.  Subsequent to this battle, the military forces identified the boys as students at my client's school.  A local military general began pursuing our client, and two weeks after the combat incident, the general brutally raped and beat my client.  Two days later, the general's brother (himself a military arms specialist) did the same.  Within a week, our client fled Guatemala and has not returned since.

In the U.S., our client was witness to a homicide and testified against the perpetrator, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.  Our client was friends with both the victim and perpetrator, and now he faces death threats from the families of both men.  

Our client's family members in San Marcos, Guatemala report receiving monthly visits from military "comisionados", including the general who raped our client.  The comisionados regularly inquire about our client's whereabouts.  They appear to know that he is being deported, and they ask to know when he will return to Guatemala.  Our client and his family believe that these visits may be based on his role in the homicide prosecution.

Thank you so much for your time and attention. Please let me know if you need any further information about the case.

Laura Polstein

Law Graduate

Centro Legal de la Raza

3022 International Blvd. Suite 410

Oakland, CA 94601

510-437-1554, ext 112

laurapolstein@centrolegal.org