Germany’s migration authorities lost Artyom’s documents and then, despite his serious health problems, deported him to Spain under the Dublin Regulation. After suffering a stroke, he has spent three years battling bureaucracy in an effort to legalize his status.
My name is Artyom Solovyov, and it seems I may finally have a chance to restore my documents and return to a normal life.
Like many Belarusians, I had to flee urgently for political reasons in 2024. I first ended up in Germany, where I spent around five months in a refugee camp in Nuremberg. Eventually, the migration authorities decided to transfer me to Spain under the Dublin procedure because I had a Spanish Schengen visa in my passport. One day before the deportation, I suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage in my brain — a stroke. I was taken away by ambulance, but the German authorities decided I was faking it to avoid deportation.
I spent my first two days in Spain on the street before I managed to get to a hospital. After a CT scan, I underwent emergency surgery. I was fortunate to be accepted into a Red Cross program and receive temporary accommodation in a shelter.
Back in Germany, I had submitted my documents to the migration authorities, but the agency lost my passport and birth certificate. Since then, I have been unable to properly complete migration procedures, move freely, or prove my identity to official institutions — as if I simply do not exist.
The stroke left me with serious consequences: headaches, blood pressure issues, dizziness, and memory problems. Heat and weather changes make my condition worse. Proper rehabilitation is impossible without documents because I cannot obtain regular health insurance.
I spent nearly a year and a half in the Red Cross program. One of the requirements was learning Spanish, but after the stroke I developed memory and concentration problems. Eventually, I was removed from the program and lost financial assistance. I ended up homeless. For a while, a woman took me in and gave me a room, but this was only temporary. I found illegal work as a construction laborer just to survive. Later I found another job, but throughout this time my health continued to deteriorate: constant dizziness, blood pressure problems, and headaches.
Spain has now launched a legalization program for migrants, often referred to as an “amnesty.” It could give me a chance to obtain residency, proper health insurance, and the ability to move within the EU. For me, this may be the only opportunity to legalize my status. I found a lawyer willing to help, but just the initial stage — requests to locate my documents, appeals to Madrid, and preparing the legalization application — costs €1,500.
I cannot borrow this amount, and everything I earn goes toward rent and food. I am trying very hard not to give up, but believe me, holding on after a stroke is extremely difficult. Please help me pay for legal assistance so I can have a chance at protection, recovery, and a normal life.
Fundraising goal
€1500
The funds are needed to cover legal services and representation, requests and appeals related to locating lost documents, and preparation of paperwork for the legalization procedure in Spain.