From Refuge to Family: A Love Story Built on Hope and Resilience 

In 2006, Erick and Brisely were young teenagers who arrived separately as unaccompanied children at an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) shelter in South Texas, fleeing dangerous situations in their home countries. Separated by gender at the shelter and facing a future that felt largely uncertain, their paths first crossed through an exchange of looks, followed by group activities and handwritten notes. Over time, their connection deepened. Erick was released from the shelter before Brisely, and they began communicating over the phone. Little did they know this bond would blossom into love and eventually lead to a beautiful family.

A major shared challenge for Erick and Brisely was navigating the U.S. immigration system. Both children were alone and facing a complex and intimidating asylum process. With no family support, they were left without many options – until they encountered the American Bar Association’s South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR).

ProBAR became a resource and support system to the pair. Attorneys and other ProBAR staff provided kindness, hope, and guidance at each step of the asylum process. For Erick, ProBAR’s support meant so much. “They were like God sent,” he says. “I did not have any help, but they treated me with respect, and they helped me begin my case.” Brisely, too, recalls feeling safe with ProBAR. “They were honest with us from the start,” she shares. “They told us it would take time, but they were patient. They helped us understand the process.”
Erick and Brisely’s journeys were long, and the couple faced numerous challenges. However, the ProBAR team remained steadfast in their support, helping them navigate the legal system and ensuring they understood their rights. “It’s up to one to have patience,” says Erick, reflecting on the process. “Immigration is not an overnight thing. But I had to wait – it was worth it.”

After years of uncertainty, Erick and Brisely were each granted asylum. The news marked a new chapter in their lives, one filled with hope. After each being placed with foster families in Michigan, they maintained communication and began a relationship based on a shared hope for the future. They worked hard, attended school, and encouraged one another along the way. Eventually, they got married, bought their first home, and started a family. They began building the life they had long dreamed of.

Today, Erick and Brisely are grateful for the support they received, not only from ProBAR, but from their community. “We are proud of everything we’ve accomplished,” Brisely says. “We came here with nothing, but now we have a family, a home, and a future.”

Their story is a testament to the resilience and transformative power of hope, love, and support. “ProBAR gave us the opportunity to have a life here,” says Erick. “They treated us like family. We are living proof that with help, anything is possible.”

Now, as parents of three children, Erick and Brisely give back by supporting others in need. Their message is simple: “Never give up. If you keep fighting, there is always a way forward.”