[Linganth] Request: help for people speaking Mam and Q'eqchi' , from Guatemala, in the US?

[Gregory D Morton]

Dear Ling Anth listserv,

                    Good afternoon — and thank you for taking the time to consider a request!

                         Recently, I've been volunteering with a group in upstate New York that accompanies people who have just arrived in the US. We have been talking to two different young people who are both from Guatemala. Both of them are in difficult situations, and they are requesting asylum. They would be so appreciative if anyone with regional knowledge could consider providing background information or expert testimony to help set the context for their cases.

               —The first person is from a Mam-speaking community near the border with Mexico. The community has been dominated by members of a drug-smuggling gang from outside. The gang members speak Spanish only, and they have threatened people who are found speaking Mam, apparently, because they believe that the people might be talking about them behind their backs. This fits into a longer-term pattern of abuse and discrimination against Mam speakers in the region.

              --The second person is from a Q'eqchi'-speaking community in the north. This person's father was a cocode (a community leader, I think) and, tragically, was murdered. The family believes that he may have been killed because of a dispute about community land. It might be important for the judge in the US to understand how this kind of dispute can occur and how it can legitimately be considered a political controversy for the purpose of asylum.

                   Do you know anybody who might have knowledge about the context for one (or both) of these situations? We would be so appreciative for even a simple letter or other form of support. The young people and their families very much hope that they can find some protection in this country, and your help means something important!

                         OK. Thank you very much for taking the time to think about this. I am grateful.

                                        sending good wishes,

                                                                                -Duff


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