Escaping Domestic Violence

Ms. L, holding her youngest child, read about the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles in the newspaper. In the midst of deportation proceedings, she called and was referred to immigration attorney Daliah Setareh.

At 31, Ms. L has been in the U.S. as an undocumented alien since she was 18. She fled Mexico with her baby to escape domestic violence. She sought refuge with her four brothers, who were preparing to become U.S. citizens.

Ms. L's five children, who range in age from 18 months to 12 years, are all U.S.-born citizens. Her four-year-old, J, is a cancer patient at Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

In court, Daliah argued that Ms. L's children would suffer "extreme and unusual" hardship if she were deported and taken from her children. Moreover, J's doctors provided affidavits stating that his life would be in danger without his mother. Daliah explained, "There is no place in Mexico where J can receive the kind of specialized medical care he needs and gets here."

Daliah also proved that Ms. L was of good moral character, had never had problems with the law, and had worked and paid taxes since first arriving in the U.S. She pointed out that Ms. L had been a victim of domestic violence and had received protective orders against her abuser in the U.S.

The judge granted Ms. L's petition, allowing her to remain in the U.S. legally. The INS attorney had no objections and did not reserve appeal. Ms. L now looks forward to becoming a citizen within five years.

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