Congratulations to TFR and his husband, WR, on being granted asylum in the U.S.
After many years of waiting to move forward with their lives. TFR was my first client when I became a solo practitioner and I remember when I first sat with him and learned his story.
He had faced traumatic experiences growing up in Brazil, came to the U.S. as a student, and discovered a place where he felt safe. He feared returning to Brazil and constantly lived with worry about his life being in danger. He, simultaneously, felt paralyzed that he could not move forward with his life, in his career or his personal relationships without knowing for certain if he would be able to stay in the U.S. I could also see there was also a big weight he carried within himself.
Over the last two years, I saw him every few months and I started to notice a shift and change in him. About a year ago he got married, and I could see an even greater change. A few months later, as we prepared for his asylum interview, I asked him what was different in his life. He told me that he had finally come to love and accept himself for who he was. That was an incredibly powerful moment and shift in him. I could see it, and so could the asylum officer at the interview.
If you fear returning to your country and are interested in learning about filing for asylum, contact us.
