Susana

Susana grew up in Guatemala. Her abusive father abandoned the family when Susana was four, and her mother left when Susana was five to seek work in the U.S. because the family was living in poverty. Raised by her grandparents, Susana’s difficult childhood became an even more traumatic adolescence. Violent gang members preyed on the community, and Susana was repeatedly raped by them. She made the treacherous journey to the U.S. to flee these continuing attacks.

AI Justice met Susana in the children’s immigration detention center. If she was returned to Guatemala, Susana’s life would be at risk because she had dared to flee her attackers. We were able to secure a juvenile visa for Susana due to the abuse she had suffered, and now she has begun to rebuild her shattered life.