Like many of Just Neighbors' domestic violence clients, Gloria's domestic violence experience started in her home country of Nicaragua and continued in her life in the United States.  At age 13, Gloria met Pablo, a man nine years older than she, at a well where she drew water for the family.  By age 15, she became pregnant and had her first baby by him.  A year later Pablo decided to go to the United States and 5 years later sent for Gloria to follow. 

Gloria joined Pablo here in Northern Virginia, though neither had immigration papers.  Her son remained with relatives in Nicaragua and would later join her.  She became pregnant with their second son, and Pablo became increasingly violent toward Gloria.  He frequently threatened to call the police or Immigration on her and get her deported if she spoke out or disobeyed him. 

Gloria's situation became so dire, however, that she summoned the courage to call the police anyway.  She reported domestic violence to the police five separate times over several months.  She cooperated with law enforcement in helping to arrest Pablo and testified at the subsequent trials.  Thanks to Gloria's cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of the domestic violence, Pablo was finally convicted and deported from the United States.

Just Neighbors' Legal Assistant, Nancy Sharpe, spent many hours writing down Gloria's story as she dictated these events.  Gloria is illiterate and only succeeded in getting a second grade education.  Moreover, due to the severe trauma and violence that Gloria has suffered, she was not able to recount the story chronologically.  The story had to be pieced together with information from four different police reports and many court records.  Nancy and the staff attorney made over a dozen revisions to Gloria's affidavit before it was ready to be included in her U visa application. 

We are pleased that Immigration values family unity in this type of case as well, by granting the application for her firstborn son.  At the age of six, he had entered the United States to join his mother; his illegal entry was with the help of a coyote (smuggler) and he was detained by immigration authorities at the border.   In the record time of five months, Immigration processed and approved Gloria's and her son's cases and sent Gloria a work authorization card valid for 3 years, at the end of which she will be eligible to apply for permanent residence in the United States. 

When her application was granted, Nancy left Gloria a voice message indicating an update in her case.  After receiving the message, Gloria stayed awake all night anxiously anticipating new information.  The next day, when Nancy informed her that her application had been granted, she could not believe the good news and was overjoyed that she would be able to work legally and provide for her sons and new baby girl.

Not surprisingly, Gloria and her children still suffer from the trauma they experienced.  None of the family members can handle seeing violence on television or in real life without trembling violently or crying.  Although the emotional effects of Pablo's violence against the family will not soon disappear,  Gloria's U visa now provides her the ability to work legally in the United States.  This is a step  toward safety and healing for her family.

Volunteer of the Month

Ahmed Omer has been a tremendous asset to Just Neighbors over the past four months.  Ahmed, from Sudan, has translated Just Neighbors materials into Arabic and served as an interpreter for some of our Arabic-speaking clients.  He has also worked on a range of office tasks, including reorganizing our closed files.  We are grateful for his assistance and wish him luck as he continues to look for employment.