- Reprinted with permission from the Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center
In 2018, Nicaragua descended into turmoil as peaceful protests for democracy were met with government violence. Among those who courageously stood up for change was the Arce family, small business owners from Managua who supported university students during the demonstrations by providing food, first aid, and hope amid repression.
Their peaceful involvement came at a heavy cost. The family lost their livelihood, and relatives of their loved ones were targeted and even killed because of their prodemocracy activities. Governmentbacked paramilitary groups began to appear outside their home, photographing and following them as a form of intimidation. What started as civic participation soon became a daily fight for survival.
Fearing imprisonment or worse, the Arce family made the painful decision to leave their home and everything they had built. They traveled north through Central America, facing danger at every step, before seeking safety in the United States at the end of 2021. With help from the Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center (SWIRC), they presented their case for asylum before a Detroit Immigration Judge…