Cristian is from Venezuela, where he regularly attended peaceful pro-democracy protests the Chavez- and Maduro-led administrations as a student activist. At these protests and while he was a mere teenager, Cristian was targeted by the Venezuelan police, the Venezuelan National Guard, and government-backed militia groups for retaliatory harm that included being shot with rubber bullets and knocked unconscious with a homemade explosive, requiring emergency medical care and causing him to permanently lose his hearing in one ear. Following individualized death threats, Cristian fled to the United States in 2018 and affirmatively filed for asylum.

While waiting for his application to be adjudicated, however, he was arrested for a driving offense, sentenced to several days' incarceration, and placed in immigration detention during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This detention significantly disrupted his ability to manage and medicate certain severe medical conditions, but PAIFUP counsel secured his release on bond at the end of 2020 and continued to represent him in his removal proceedings. Finally, in late 2023, Cristian was granted asylum in court, with DHS waiving appeal.

As an asylee, Cristian will now be able to remain and work in the United States, as well as, eventually, pursue residency and citizenship. In addition to being an accomplished artist and a savvy entrepreneur, he is currently undergoing training to become a clinical interpreter, in order to use his skills to help others.

Maria Thomson joined Nationalities Service Center earlier this month as a staff attorney working on the Pennsylvania Immigrant Family Unity Project. She provides pro bono representation to individuals in removal and bond proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Maria’s role is split with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, where she also serves as an immigration specialist to advise criminal attorneys and clients about the immigration consequences of criminal charges and assist in negotiating immigration-safe outcomes. Prior to joining NSC, Maria also provided universal representation to immigrants in removal proceedings as an Oregon Worker Relief Fellow at Innovation Law Lab.