LOS ANGELES (Border Report) — Nabeel Younis, 28, left Pakistan a bit greater than 5 years in the past decided to get to the US the place he might apply Christianity with out worry of persecution.
He and a bunch of pals, fellow Catholics, left their house nation for Panama to attend a younger peoples’ convention with Pope Francis.
They by no means went again and stayed for 2 years in Northern Panama, the place Younis realized to learn and write Spanish.
Upon saving sufficient cash, they trekked north via Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala earlier than crossing into the southern Mexican state of Chiapas.
After surviving a 16-hour ordeal, packed right into a trailer, standing the complete route with no water, meals or toilet breaks, they arrived in Mexico Metropolis.
Younis known as it “the worst expertise of his life.”
They ultimately traveled to the border metropolis of Tijuana the place they met a smuggler who promised to get them throughout the border.
As they have been about to jump over the border barrier, members of Mexico’s Nationwide Guard approached them and robbed and beat them, Younis advised Border Report, which has chronicled his journey to the U.S. since his pals believed he had gone lacking in Mexico in late 2021.
Bruised, battered and nearly pennyless, they returned to their motel.
However the subsequent morning, Mexican customs officers arrived and picked them up, jailing them in a migrant detention facility in Tijuana.
After greater than a month, Younis and his pals have been launched to a migrant shelter the place they plotted their subsequent transfer.
Cash was wired in from pals, they usually set off for Mexicali, about 120 to the east, the place they lastly achieved their aim of crossing into the U.S.
The group was detained by Border Patrol brokers who ultimately took Younis to the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, California.
His pals have been despatched elsewhere.
One other month in custody handed, however Younis managed to safe an preliminary interview with officers who decided he had a legitimate case to start asylum proceedings.
A good friend he met again house in Pakistan, an American named Fitzgerald Kelly, agreed to turn into his sponsor in California and opened his house in San Luis Obispo, a couple of five-hour drive north of the border.
Younis started his courtroom case and managed to safe the providers of the Immigration Authorized Protection Heart’s workplace in Santa Maria, California, which agreed to characterize him professional bono.
Legal professional Maria Salguero guided Younis’ case via the courts.
Nearly a 12 months and a half since hopping the border barrier, he discovered himself in Decide Carlos Maury’s courtroom on the Federal Courthouse in Van Nuys, California.
The decide would make the ultimate willpower and resolve Younis’ asylum case.
He shortly sided with Younis granting him asylum.
“What occurred right here at the moment was unbelievable,” mentioned Younis. “We went to the courthouse and the decide took lower than quarter-hour to provide me the constructive resolution. … I heard and browse so many tales and didn’t realize it might occur that quick.”
Younis says he considers himself fortunate for the fast resolution. His pals, who ended up in Denver and Pennsylvania, are nonetheless ready for his or her asylum final result.
“I’ve heard and examine lots of people who’ve spent so a few years right here and nothing has occurred of their case however I’d say God’s windfall made it occur so quick for me.”
Even Younis’ legal professional was shocked on the pace it took to settle her consumer’s case.
“The decide granted Nabeel asylum based mostly on his file,” mentioned Salguero. “There was no want for Nabeel to be cross-examined, there was no must make clear any authorized or factual points, the decide discovered Nabeel credible.”
A 12 months from now, Nabeel will have the ability to apply for authorized residency, and sooner or later sooner or later, attempt to acquire U.S. citizenship.
“He now has that safety the place he doesn’t need to worry deportation,” Salguero mentioned.
After the listening to, Younis celebrated by treating Salguero, Kelly and good friend Jan Meslin to lunch earlier than heading again to San Luis Obispo.
Younis mentioned he’ll quickly start the summer season session at Cuesta Group Faculty to proceed his formal training.
Earlier this month, he accomplished his first semester securing 18 items and incomes 4 As and one B-plus.
