Joseph, CASA Member, a teacher

I did not choose to be here in the United States. I had to escape from Cameroon because my life was in grave danger. Because I was a teacher, I was targeted by the government and military who accused me of sponsoring separatist fighters because I marched for the rights of English-speaking Cameroonians.

I was falsely arrested on several occasions, tortured for days in the hands of the military.  It was thanks to the help of some humanitarian lawyers that I was released. 

My very close colleague was shot dead by the Cameroon military and I knew that only meant that if they did that to him they are capable of doing it to me. I was considered  ”l’ennemi dans la maison” as they often call us which translates to “the enemy in the house.” I fled because, after being arrested and tortured, I knew I was the next to die. 

I have friends who have been deported back to Cameroon and their families have never heard from them again. We believe they have been sentenced to life in prison; others have been killed and buried in mass graves. I, therefore, ask the Biden administration to hear our cry and grant TPS for Cameroon.