Daniel’s Story
Daniel Wilson was born in 1981 in São Paulo, Brazil. When Daniel was nine, he was adopted with his four-year-old biological nephew through the Limiar Adoption Agency. While waiting to finalize their adoptions, Daniel’s adoptive parents had moved the boys from their state-run orphanage to a private orphanage in Brazil. Daniel was sexually abused by caretakers during his time at this orphanage. After their adoption to Ohio, the boys were legally recognized as brothers. Throughout their childhood and teens, the brothers occasionally had sexual encounters with each other, believing this behavior to be normal.
When Daniel was 19 years old, he enlisted in the military. At this time, he discovered he did not have U.S. citizenship. Though this was shocking news, Daniel still felt proud to serve his country.
When Daniel was 21years old, his adoptive mother learned about the sexual encounters that had previously occurred between the two boys. Not fully understanding the situation, Daniel’s mother pursued criminal legal action against him. Daniel was convicted of a felony and sentenced to a year and a half in prison. After serving his sentence, Daniel was sent directly from prison to immigration detention, and was deported when he was 23.
After becoming better informed about the nature of the abuse Daniel and his brother experienced as young children, Daniel’s mother deeply regretted having pursued legal action against him, and felt personally responsible for his deportation. Despite the family’s subsequent advocacy efforts, Daniel faces a lifetime ban from the United States.
Over the years, Daniel has taken steps to heal from past trauma experienced as a child and young adult. He eventually got married, and now lives in Brazil with his wife and two daughters. Daniel strives to be the kind of parent and role model for his children that he sought, growing up. He has reconciled with his adoptive parents, who visited Brazil for his wedding and on several other occasions. Daniel hopes to one day be able to travel freely between Brazil and the U.S., and bring his wife and daughters to visit his parents in the U.S.
To help Daniel and other adoptees without citizenship, help pass the Adoptee Citizenship Act!