Momoko came legally to the United States and later married a US citizen who abused her. She ended up in a homeless shelter to escape. At [AI Justice], they were very understanding about domestic-violence cases and didn’t treat me like a client. They treated me like a special person. I wish I had a picture of when my life was …
The U visa is supposed to help protect immigrants and solve crimes. But police are undermining it
By Laura C. Morel | Nov 7, 2019 Nataly Alcantara awoke to two shadows standing in her bedroom. Her husband and their toddler son lay next to her, with their 3-month-old daughter nestled in a crib beside the bed. One of the shadows, Alcantara realized, held a knife. “Give us your money!” one woman shouted while the other pointed a …
Maria
Maria was among a group of women from Mexico who were promised legal jobs in the United States, but were instead forced into slavery and prostitution. Their lives were threatened if they resisted. We were kept in a place far worse than prison. Once the police found us, we spent five months in detention. Our high hopes for America turned …
Mary
Mary is a survivor of human trafficking. She was forced to work as a housekeeper at a major hotel chain for little to no pay. Her employer, the owner of a company that contracted for housekeeping services with the hotel chain, threatened multiple times to call immigration and have her deported if she complained. Despite the threats, and following four …
Maria
An AI Justice attorney met Maria, who was from Venezuela, at the Lodge (a domestic violence shelter), where Maria was receiving services. She had endured horrific domestic violence at the hands of her spouse, who was a lawful permanent resident. Her husband had filed an application for her residency, but when he did not attend the interview with immigration authorities …
Raquel
Raquel, a 14-year-old Guatemalan, was recruited by Clara to work as a nanny in the Naples area. When Raquel arrived in the U.S, Clara imprisoned her in her house and ordered Raquel to prostitute herself. When Raquel refused, Clara sold her for $5000 to a couple who wanted Raquel to carry a child for them. The husband repeatedly raped Raquel, …
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