Ms. M, a native of Trinidad, came to the United States as a young woman. Shortly after arriving, she got married and had a baby girl. After the birth of their child, Ms. M and her husband began experiencing marital problems which later escalated into domestic violence. Ms. M came to the CAMBA Legal Services office scared and unsure of what to do. Staff referred Ms. M to CAMBA’s domestic violence program for counseling, while legal services provided her assistance with obtaining immigration status via the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). It was a difficult process for Ms. M, who was still living with her abusive husband. The emotional strain of recounting her experience, coupled with the logistical challenge of obtaining the necessary documentation to prove her marriage, was very difficult and at times dangerous. With the assistance of our domestic violence program, we facilitated her admission to a domestic violence shelter.
Once Ms. M’s VAWA petition was approved, we helped her apply for legal permanent resident status. Meanwhile, Ms. M enrolled in a course to become a nurse’s aide. She later found a job and moved out of the shelter and into her own apartment, finally gaining her independence. Ms. M’s application for Legal Permanent Residence has since been approved and she is now a Legal Permanent Resident. The woman that now stands before us is a totally different person. She is confident, independent, and successful. CAMBA Legal Services is now helping her to become a citizen. Once she obtains citizenship, she plans on joining the Marines.