Recently
granted political asylum in the U.S., Steve looks relaxed, healthy and
content. "This is a whole different feeling." He fled Guyana in 2002
and is building a new life in New York City.
When
Steve Hemraj arrived in New York on January 8, 2002 with a visitor's
visa, he knew that he was in the United States to stay. "I had no idea
what to expect," he says. "I just knew that I had to get away." In
Essequibo County, Guyana, Steve was a very vocal critic of the
governing pro-Indian party and a supporter of the pro-African
opposition. Due to his views and activism, Steve eventually began to
face political persecution and repeated discrimination. Though he had
been a senior executive in manufacturing for three years and a senior
manager in finance and banking for five years, Steve was fired from his
job and unable to find employment for the first time in his life. When
in 2001 he learned of a plan to assassinate him, he knew he had to flee.
After
a month in the US, not knowing he was ill, Steve collapsed into a coma
for ten days. Thankfully, he emerged from death's door, as he calls it,
was able to access medical insurance, and began receiving regular
treatment.
Eventually his case manager at Queens
Hospital brought him to African Services Committee, where he was able
to access services for which he was not even aware he was eligible.
Steve was also introduced to Getachew Fikremariam, ASC's Legal
Advocate, who noted that Steve had a solid case for asylum and
encouraged him to apply. "I was terrified of the 'what if'," he sighs,
speaking of his fear that the INS would reject his claim. He was sure
that if deported, he would have been killed upon arrival in Guyana.
Despite his fear of disclosure, Steve submitted his affidavit in
January 2003.
Three months later, having been
granted political asylum in the US, Steve looks relaxed, healthy and
content. "This is a whole different feeling," he says smiling. "There
is no despair, no uncertainty." With a huge weight lifted off his
shoulders, Steve has felt inspired enough to develop his own 15-year
strategic plan. It includes getting a PhD, working part time, and
continuing to volunteer at ASC, where he has been facilitating
budgeting workshops for other clients since September 2002. "I want to
give back to the country, and to this organization," he says. "At ASC,
you don't feel like there are clients and staff. It really is a
family." Looking determined and happy he adds, "My hope is to one day
see an African Services Committee branch back home in Guyana."
