At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we take pride in fighting for those who have been forced to flee their home countries in search of safety and freedom. One of our recent asylum victories involved a young man from Nicaragua who came to the United States after being persecuted for standing up against his government. This case was led by Attorney Marina Brakefield and Immigration Paralegal Johanna Idrovo-Sarmiento, whose dedication and hard work helped make this outcome possible.
Our client was a university student in Nicaragua when widespread protests erupted in 2018. Many students joined the peaceful demonstrations opposing the policies of President Daniel Ortega and his increasingly authoritarian regime. Like thousands of others, our client exercised his right to speak out peacefully. During one of these protests, he was shot with a rubber bullet by state forces. While he survived the injury, the attack marked the beginning of relentless harassment by the government.
Following the protests, the Nicaraguan government began to identify and track those who had participated. Our client was followed, threatened, and harassed repeatedly. He began receiving warnings and intimidation from individuals aligned with the Ortega regime. As a known dissenter, he was unable to continue his studies and could not find stable employment. Employers refused to hire him because of his political views. With no safe future in Nicaragua, he made the difficult decision to leave everything behind and seek refuge in the United States.
When he arrived in the U.S., he was still healing from the trauma of what he had experienced. He faced a complicated immigration process and needed legal guidance to understand his options. That’s when he came to The Law Offices of James A. Welcome.
Attorney Brakefield and Paralegal Idrovo-Sarmiento took time to learn his story and build a strong case. They gathered personal testimony, medical documentation, and human rights reports that confirmed the dangers faced by protesters in Nicaragua. They worked closely with the client, making sure every detail of his experience was clearly and carefully presented.
U.S. asylum law requires proof that someone has faced persecution or has a well-founded fear of future persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. In this case, our client’s political opinion and actions made him a clear target of state-sponsored persecution. His involvement in peaceful protests and the threats he endured were consistent with the government’s known pattern of silencing opposition.
After months of preparation, his asylum application was approved after a trial before the Immigration Judge. With this decision, our client now has the legal right to live and work in the United States. He no longer has to fear being forced back to a country where his safety is at risk. He plans to resume his education and build a stable life in his new home.
This case is a reminder of the real impact that strong legal representation can make. Attorney Brakefield and Paralegal Idrovo-Sarmiento worked tirelessly to give this client a second chance—and we’re proud of the result.
At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we are proud to support immigrants across Connecticut and beyond with trusted legal guidance and a client-first approach. Our experienced team handles a wide range of immigration matters, including asylum, deportation defense, family-based petitions, TPS, and DACA. With offices in Waterbury, Danbury, Norwalk, Hartford, and Bridgeport, we are committed to serving individuals and families in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring clear communication every step of the way.
If you or someone you know has been persecuted for speaking out or living according to your beliefs, you may have legal options in the United States. Call (203) 753-7300 or visit www.welcomelawfirm.com to schedule a confidential consultation with our immigration team.
We believe in standing up for those who cannot return home safely. And we’re here to help you take the next step forward.