Unaccompanied and Unshakeable: This is Elias’ Story

Elias* was 16 when he arrived in the U.S. from Guatemala as an unaccompanied minor. He’d taken the risky journey hoping to reconnect with his mother stateside, whom he hadn’t seen since birth. Upon arriving in the D.C. area, Elias connected with Ayuda for a helping...

Selena’s Story: Celebrating U Visa Success After 6 Years 

Everyone has their own reason for immigrating. When former Ayuda client Selena* fled her home country in Central America after surviving domestic violence, her reason for coming to the United States was simple: Safety – for herself and her children.  Shortly...

Ayuda Update: Helping Migrants Bused to DC, 1 Year and Counting 

Just over a year ago, the governors of Texas and Arizona began sending buses of migrants to our DC community, and other sanctuary cities. Since April 2022, Ayuda’s team has been part of the coordinated effort to welcome these individuals with dignity. We recently...

Ayuda Celebrates 50 Years of Serving Immigrants   

On May 4, more than 300 immigrant supporters gathered at Planet Word in Washington, D.C. for Ayuda’s 50th Anniversary Event: Standing With Immigrants (SWI). We were honored to see so many local policymakers, chefs and restaurants, pro bono law firms, and neighbors...