About five years ago, I was at a pro bono event providing consultations to individuals in Southern California. On that day, a mother approached me and showed me photographs of a badly beaten woman. The mother started to cry and told me that it was her daughter. I asked what happened to her. She told me that her daughter was in a relationship with a man who was very abusive. I then asked her if her daughter had ever reported the abuse and she responded in the affirmative. I told the mother that I needed to see her daughter.
A few weeks passed and the daughter came with her three children. She was in removal proceedings and was unaware of her rights. The daughter told me her story about how she had returned to Mexico and the abuse continued even after she left the United States so she returned once again.
I explained to her that she would be safe here in the United States. The fact that she had reported the crime on previous occasions, she would be able to apply for the U Visa.
After multiple court hearings, this woman was finally able to obtain legal status in the country.
Currently, we are in the process of closing her removal proceedings. In the next three years, she will be eligible to apply for her green card.
If you are a victim of a crime, please call our office to evaluate your case and determine if you have a case to obtain legal status.
