09/24/2026
“I was taken from my cell during the middle of the night. I was driven to the sand dunes close to the beach, where no one in the town could hear or know what was going on.”
Amadou* bravely stood against discrimination by Mauritania’s government – and they wanted to kill him for it. But HIAS PA’s monthly supporters have now given him a chance at a new life in the United States. The current administration wants to send asylum seekers, like Amadou, back to the dangers they fled. Become a monthly donor with a $50 donation today to give them a chance to stay here: hiaspa.org/?form=VoiceofWelcomeSept26
When Mauritania’s government discriminated against the country’s black population, Amadou organized peaceful protests and was thrown in prison for it. In prison, he was tortured by the guards. They took him to sand dunes, so no one could hear his screams. Before Amadou was released, a police officer handed him a piece of paper that gave him two options if he were arrested again: lifelong imprisonment or death. He had no choice but to sign it. But Amadou couldn’t sit on the sidelines in the face of discrimination. He continued his activism, until a warrant was put out for his arrest. He remembered the piece of paper he signed. He knew what would happen to him if he stayed. Amadou made the difficult choice to flee his home. After a long journey, he arrived in the U.S. and came to HIAS PA.
Thanks to our loyal monthly supporters, HIAS PA’s legal team was able to help Amadou gain asylum and bring his family here. He finally has peace of mind because he never has to return to the country where his fate was sealed. You can protect the lives of other asylum seekers like Amadou. Become a monthly donor with a $50 gift today.
