By Christopher Argyros, Staff Attorney
July 2025

Navigating the unique complexities of each legal case is a difficult, time-consuming process—but for immigrants like the Venezuelan family we recently helped win asylum, our legal assistance makes all the difference. 

Every asylum case has its own distinct challenges. Sometimes crucial evidence is impossible to obtain, or a person’s history is so painful it takes many conversations to untangle and understand. Other times, we spend weeks simply building trust with someone who’s endured years of trauma while diving deep into research about their home country’s conditions to fully understand and document their fear of persecution. 

In preparing this Venezuelan family’s case, the greatest challenge was the lead applicant’s intense anxiety about testifying. 

If you’ve ever testified in court, you know how stressful it can be. For asylum-seekers, that stress is magnified. They must recount deeply traumatic and heart-wrenching events: being harmed, fleeing their homeland, leaving loved ones behind—all in front of a judge and government attorney. For many, the fear is compounded by experiences in corrupt judicial systems back home, such as in Venezuela. Since most asylum seekers only have one three-hour hearing to demonstrate their credibility and eligibility for protection, the stakes couldn’t be higher. 

When I first began preparing our client for testimony, he was understandably worried. Every answer came out tangled or a rambling “word salad.” His case was strong, but the distress of being questioned about his past overwhelmed him. It was a stark contrast to his regular calm demeanor. I realized the format itself—the feeling of being interrogated—was triggering memories of being detained and questioned back in Venezuela. 

I knew we needed to pursue another way to ensure he could win his case, but the hearing was approaching quickly. I arranged for a psychological evaluation, hoping a professional could provide insight into his mental health. After a few calls, I found a Spanish-speaking psychotherapist who could meet with him quickly and prepare a written evaluation. Thankfully, we have funding from the state that allows us to cover the cost of these evaluations for clients. 

The assessment confirmed what I suspected: he was living with PTSD, anxiety, and depression as a result of his past trauma. We submitted the evaluation to the court to help the judge understand the challenges he faced in telling his story. 

From there, my legal assistant and I put in extra time helping him prepare for court with a culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and compassionate approach—something we can offer as Opening Doors does not charge by the hour. We stayed late, running through practice questions, reminding him to breathe, slow down, and focus on one question at a time. We encouraged him to trust his own voice and assured him that it was okay to show emotion. 

Those extra hours paid off. When our client took the stand, he was calm, clear, and confident, fully in command of his story. Both the judge and the government attorney understood him without difficulty, and his credibility was never in doubt. 

The need for legal representation is growing rapidly across Northern California. Immigrants with legal support are far more likely to win their asylum cases, but too many face this daunting process alone. That’s why we’re building a community of people—licensed attorneys and non-legal volunteers alike—who are ready to stand alongside immigrant families and fight for their right to safety and belonging. If you’re motivated to make a difference, join our volunteer network and help us protect our neighbors. Learn more and sign up here.