2 min read
On July 25, 2017, what began as a routine drive for Myriam Parada transformed into a nightmare that threatened not just her health, but her entire life in Minnesota.
“I was going to take an exit, then a girl hit me from behind,” Myriam said.
When police arrived at the scene, they didn’t focus on the accident or the at-fault driver. Instead, they questioned Myriam about her identification.
“He asks me about a driver’s license, or an ID, an identification,” she added. Myriam, a Mexican citizen residing in the United States on a diplomatic mission, pointed out her consular license plate and showed the officer her Mexican passport.
Unfortunately, those documents weren’t enough to convince the officer of Myriam’s identity. In those few moments at her car window, a simple request for ID escalated into a frightening legal situation that threatened to separate her from her family.
The officer decided to arrest Myriam for lacking appropriate identification. Through no fault of her own, she would be moved to multiple detention centers through the night, ultimately landing in a prison with an immigration contact.
Mere hours after she was rear-ended, Myriam now sat detained, and law enforcement shared little information about her condition with her parents. Her family argued with prison officials about Myriam’s legal status, but with little success.
“It was basically my family’s word against the prison’s word,” she said.
That’s what prompted her mother to ask for help.
“My mom called Aaron Ferguson Law,” Myriam said. “He was there until two in the morning, trying to get information about me because the prison didn’t want to give any information to my parents.”
Amid all the confusion, Myriam and her family got what they needed most: clarity.
“There was a lot of confusion about what had happened when I was inside the jail,” Myriam said. “They called Aaron Ferguson to testify on my behalf, saying that everything my family said was true.”
As her case navigated the complex maze of immigration courts and legal proceedings, Myriam found more than legal representation—she found an advocate who understood what mattered most.
“Aaron never stopped keeping an eye on my case,” Myriam said. “He always treated me with a lot of respect.”
Myriam recovered from her accident and received fair compensation. More importantly, she's regained her sense of security and dignity.
Our Commitment to Human Dignity
The reality for many Spanish-speaking residents in the Twin Cities is that, even with legal status, basic rights—seeking medical care after an accident, speaking with police, requesting legal support—can feel impossibly risky. This fear leads many to suffer in silence rather than seek the help they deserve.
Like many in the Twin Cities' Latino community, Myriam felt vulnerable and alone in the system. "I know there is a very large Latino community in Minnesota, and sometimes we feel like there is no one there to represent us or help us," she shared, expressing a sentiment that resonates with many who fear seeking help during emergencies.
We’re here to ease those fears. Our commitment is to help everyone find the justice they are entitled to and respect all members of our community.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident, don't let fear prevent you from seeking help. Your immigration status should never stand in the way of justice or medical care. Contact Aaron Ferguson Law for a completely confidential consultation. We're here to protect your rights and dignity, just as we did for Myriam.
