Choosing Arona St. James to work on my case for asylum has been one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my life. I got in touch with them for the first time, being 22 years old. At that time, I had just finished my undergraduate degree and, even though I was planning to study a master’s degree for another year, I was very concerned about having to come back to Venezuela, my home country, once I finished my studies. At that point, going back to Venezuela would mean having to face the cruel political, social and economic crisis that the country faces today. Apart from this, being a gay man, I was at high risk of being discriminated against for my sexual orientation and even being victim of hate crimes, which are common in the country. From the very first meeting with Arona, I expressed all of my concerns and not only did she help me find viable solutions applicable to my legal status, but she also went above and beyond to assist me in every step of the process. Emma, who was assigned by Arona to help me with my case, was incredibly helpful and reliable, making sure all my questions were answered and guiding me whenever needed. Furthermore, Emma also accompanied me to all the meetings at the Home Office and stayed with me through the long waiting hours before my interviews. This not only gave me a strong confidence throughout the process but it also made me feel supported and cared for regardless of the uncertainty and fear of that comes with these types of applications. Now, I am happy to say that my asylum application has been successful and I got a very quick answer regardless of the pandemic. Undoubtedly, I believe this is partly attributed to the strong case that Arona and Emma helped me build for my application and the guidance they provided. They were always diligent and available, even through the Covid-19 quarantine period. This made the process of waiting much less daunting. I will always be thankful to Arona and Emma for all the support they’ve given me and for helping me to secure a stable future, in a country where I can pursue my goals regardless of my political opinion or sexual orientation.
ASYLUM CASE