34 Weeks: Cecilia’s Story of Survival, Tenacity, and Forging Ahead

Cecilia was 34 weeks pregnant, the marks of domestic violence still fresh on her mind and her body, when she realized that she needed to run.

Her daughter, Olivia, was not yet born, but the threats from her partner had become severe. He physically harmed Cecilia, leaving her injured, and then took her phone to delete the photo evidence before anyone could see it. When the abuse escalated to include threats against her unborn child, Cecilia knew that staying in El Salvador was no longer an option. She fled her home country and made the long journey to the United States, seeking nothing more than a safe harbor for her family.

Facing Betrayal and Injustice 

Like with so many immigrants, arriving in the United States was only the beginning of a different kind of fight. Cecilia managed to reach Los Angeles working hard to build a life. She paid attorneys what little money she had saved to help her navigate her legal journey, trusting them in good faith to protect her best interests. Unfortunately, that trust was broken. The lawyers took her money but failed to submit her asylum paperwork to the judge.

Because of their negligence, Cecilia missed crucial court dates, which she never knew existed. As a result, she was forced to wear an immigration ankle monitor and was ultimately issued a deportation order. In a single stroke, Cecilia felt her world crashing down around her. 

With an ankle monitor restricting her movement and no work permit to legally support her daughter, Cecilia was trapped in a cycle of instability. She moved from house to house, living with relatives who mistreated them and mishandled their few belongings. 

What makes Cecilia’s story both so difficult and important is that it is not an isolated incident. She followed the rules, sought legal help and did everything in her power to comply with the law. However, the system did not account for the immense failures of her representation or the trauma she was actively fleeing. It was unfeeling and mechanical. It issued an order to send her back to the very country and the very abusers she risked everything to escape.

Across the country, families who have built lives in good faith are finding themselves unprotected and afraid. For Cecilia, the cruelty of injustice was twofold: she was victimized first by her abuser, and then again by the legal counsel she paid to protect her.

Finding a Lifeline With ALMA

Recognizing that her daughter was no longer safe, Cecilia knew she had to make the move to San Francisco. Cecilia and her little girl made their way to a local convent shelter in hopes of finally having a safe place to stay. Despite the immense pressure of her deportation order, Cecilia kept all her problems to herself, never sharing them with anyone. One day, a staff member at her daughter’s school noticed Cecilia had all of her belongings with her and asked her how she was doing. Cecilia finally shared the details of the difficulties she was living through and the situation that led her to move into a shelter. It was that conversation that led them to share information about MAF’s ALMA program.

Cecilia had never heard of the ALMA program. She never imagined that this type of support existed for people caught in the web of deportation. Skeptical but driven by a desire to protect her daughter, she took a leap of faith and applied for the program on her own. When ALMA turned out to be a genuine lifeline, Cecilia felt a real sense of relief. Cecilia was very intentional with the funds she received. She prioritized the basics that are too easily taken for granted. She ensured Olivia had access to healthy, nutritious food. Providing these essentials did more than just fill a stomach; it helped Cecilia feel in control again, allowing her to reclaim her role as a provider for her child.

Beyond stabilizing their immediate daily life, the funds also offered a vital cushion for their future. Cecilia carefully managed the remainder of the grant. She built a dedicated fund to secure the good legal help she so desperately needs to reopen her asylum case. ALMA gave Cecilia an opportunity to right the wrongs caused by the dishonest lawyer she first encountered.

Today, living in the quiet safety of the convent, Cecilia and Olivia have finally found a version of peace. There are no threats, no violence, and no one hiding or destroying Olivia’s toys.

“I feel more at peace there,” Cecilia said, reflecting on their new surroundings. “Nobody bothers her. It is peace for her.”

That is what ALMA does. It cannot instantly fix a broken immigration system or undo past trauma, but it ensures that in the moments when families are most exposed, they have the financial breathing room to stabilize and fight back.

Fighting Back With Faith

Cecilia’s journey has been marked by pain, both personal and from the systemic, but her spirit remains undefeated.

Her faith helps sustain her. She is Catholic, with a deep devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe, a belief her mother passed down to her when she was a child in El Salvador. Now, living in a convent, she joins in prayer whenever she can. Olivia has picked up on this, too, often calling on her mom to join the nuns in prayer. 

When asked what gives her the strength to face an ongoing legal battle and an uncertain future, her answer came without hesitation.

“My daughter,” she said simply.

Olivia is the reason Cecilia gets up every day, and she is the reason Cecilia holds her head high. Her dream for the future is clear: she wants to secure her legal status, work hard, and see Olivia graduate from school, happy, safe, and free. As Cecilia simply puts it, “I just want to work, to get ahead with her.”

Why ALMA Is Important Now

Cecilia’s story is not a rare exception. It is the story of thousands of families across the country. They are navigating an immigration system that has become more inconsistent by the day.

Families like Cecilia’s do not need saving; they need solidarity. They need solid financial stability while they work with social workers. They need help finding reputable legal advocacy and guidance on how to navigate the steps to protect their children. ALMA provides direct cash support to families facing detention and deportation crises. It offers resources without complicated rules or judgment.

To other families who find themselves facing fear and financial instability, Cecilia offers a powerful message of solidarity:

“Give it your all,” she said. “Try to get ahead until you achieve what you want. Despite having difficult days, just never lower your head. Never.”

Support Families Like Cecilia’s

Cecilia’s journey toward legal security and permanent safety is still ongoing. Her legal case requires a motion to reopen, and the path ahead is steep, but she is moving forward with hope in her heart.

ALMA steps in to fill the gap for families like hers. It provides unconditional cash assistance in their most vulnerable moments. But this solidarity is only possible when our community chooses to support, fund and fight for these programs.

If you want to help others like Cecilia, then join us in this fight, and as she says, never lower your head.