Marlon is a Community Member who came to the U.S. in 2024. At the border, he was forcibly fastened with an ankle monitor. Beyond this humiliating act, the device was burdensome: it was buckled too tight, which caused him great amounts of pain and, ultimately, made it difficult to walk.
From the border, Marlon traveled to Chicago and discovered Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD), one of Beyond’s Community Partners. Marlon attended a joint pro se workshop between Beyond and OCAD to learn more about his rights. It was here that he also met his soon-to-be attorney, Sarah Cockrum. Recounting that meeting, he described how he wanted to get an early start on applying for asylum given his anxiety about the 1-year filing deadline for claims.
After discussing his legal goals, Sarah worked with Marlon to start his asylum application. But other concerns were also pressing: his ankle monitor continued to be extremely painful, diminishing his quality of life. After numerous calls to ICE offices on his own that led to no relief, he asked Sarah if she could intervene. With Sarah’s help, Marlon was able to get an appointment to remove the device. Marlon said that at that moment, “all his worries were relieved.” He spoke highly of his attorney, Sarah:
“She was an excellent attorney. She attended all my ICE meetings and supported me the whole way.”
Since then, Marlon has filed his asylum application and is now applying for his work permit with Sarah. Marlon’s advice to anyone going through the immigration system in Chicago is to seek out Beyond and our Community Partners:
“I recommend Beyond Legal Aid to anyone because they are very supportive. I learn a lot about my rights from [OCAD and Beyond]. I learned it is very important to attend ICE meetings and court appearances.”
He also expressed his gratitude to OCAD, describing them as:
“very great people… I still regularly visit them now for their helpful services.”
Marlon’s commitment to locating community and immigration services in Chicago is key to his story. The immigration system can be overwhelming and difficult by design, but he persevered and was able to achieve his goals thanks to the unique partnership between OCAD and Beyond. Together, Beyond and our Community Partners continue to fuse our talents and expertise while providing holistic, activist-informed advocacy to those that need it most.
Today, we ask that you continue to support us during this critical time in our national history. Your support is what makes it possible for us to work alongside Community Members like Marlon. Please consider making a donation in his honor.