Legless asylum seeker completes 1,300 km ride across Texas

Roughly three years after having his legs sawed off in the back of a car by four gang members, Carlos Gutierrez got on his bike and completed a 13-day, 1,300 km ride across Texas. Gutierrez, who supports his wife and children by working in a burrito shop, began his journey on Oct. 29 and finished Nov. 9. The trip was called Pedalling for Justice and he’s attained a bit of recognition in Texas.

The 35-year-old man from Chihuahua, Mexico, owned and ran a successful catering business in the town. He was dragged into the back of a car by four member of the local drug cartel after refusing to make a $10,000 monthly extortion payment. They sawed his legs off just below the knees as punishment. He spent two weeks in critical condition before applying for asylum to the United States.

One of the aim’s of Gutierrez’s ride was to raise awareness about the difficulties Mexicans face in the United States while applying for asylum, which he is currently in the process of doing. He has been waiting since 2011 to hear the results of his application.

“If someone from Cuba or from Venezuela can get asylum, why not someone from Mexico?” Gutierrez told the Associated Press.

Of all Mexican’s who apply for asylum in the U.S., only 1 to 2 per cent are accepted, compared with other Latin American countries where the percentage is closer to 25. The laws for asylum seekers in the U.S. are intended for those who have a reasonable fear of persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, political status or political group.

The number of people seeking asylum in the U.S. has tripled since 2008.