A Journey To Safety And Opportunity: Oswaldo’s Story

Before joining NWIRP as a staff attorney this May, Jessie Freer Walters supported our clients as a pro bono volunteer (an attorney who takes on a case for free). In February, she took Oswaldo’s case. 

Oswaldo came to the United States with his wife and children, seeking political asylum from his home country of Venezuela. Unfortunately, their journey was dangerous, and when they arrived at the border between the United States and Mexico, Oswaldo was detained for a short time. And while he was released and reunited with his family, his struggles did not end there. 

After settling down in Washington, Oswaldo had the police called to his home. This led to him being taken to the Tacoma immigration detention center where he would be held for over eight months. This detention was devastating to both Oswaldo and his family. His wife and two children faced homelessness because of the loss of Oswaldo’s income. And on top of this stress, Oswaldo was terrified of what would happen to him if he was deported back to Venezuela. Thankfully, Jessie was able to take his case on a volunteer basis.

While working on Oswaldo’s case, Jessie joined NWIRP as a staff attorney in June 2023 and continued representing Oswaldo as he pursued asylum. Due to the persecution Oswaldo faced for his political beliefs, he was granted political asylum and released from the detention center. Jessie was consistently encouraged by how dedicated Oswaldo was to winning his case throughout their time together. He read every book about asylum he could get his hands on in the detention center. And when he finally won, Oswaldo was ecstatic.

“I am so grateful to Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and my attorney, Jessie,” Oswaldo said. “Since winning my case, I have been able to get a work permit and am now able to safely support my family. I can spend time with my children, pick them up from school, and enjoy time with them like every father deserves. I appreciate the many opportunities I have here in Washington State. And most of all, I am grateful to be safe. Having NWIRP’s support has been a great blessing to me and my family.”