Estefania

Estefania grew up in Guatemala in conditions of extreme poverty. Her family struggled to meet basic needs - food, shelter, education were all luxuries they could rarely afford. As a young girl, she watched her parents work tirelessly for little reward, and she dreamed of opportunities that seemed impossibly far away.

In 2014, at just 16 years old, Estefania made the difficult decision to leave everything she knew. She traveled to the United States as an unaccompanied minor, facing the dangers of the journey alone. When she arrived, she had nothing but hope and determination.

After arriving, Estefania went to live with her aunt, who became her guardian. However, her path to legal status was far from smooth. A court error caused a devastating 2.5-year delay in her case processing. During this time, she lived in limbo - unable to fully plan for the future, constantly worried about what might happen.

Catholic Charities took on Estefania's case and helped navigate the complex SIJS process. Despite the court error that caused significant delays, her legal team persevered. They worked to correct the mistake and push her case forward, never giving up even when the system seemed stacked against them.

In 2019, after years of waiting and uncertainty, Estefania finally received her green card. The moment was bittersweet - joy at finally having security, mixed with frustration at the years lost to bureaucratic error. But Estefania chose to focus on the future rather than dwell on the past.

Today, Estefania has the stability and security she dreamed of as a child in Guatemala. She has built a life in America, working and contributing to her community. The years of struggle have made her resilient and determined to make the most of every opportunity.