Please consider supporting Justice for Our Neighbors' (JFON) work on behalf of immigrants like Laura.
Abused by her father as a child, when she was sixteen Laura helped the police put him behind bars. JFON then worked with Laura to apply for a U-visa. (The U-visa was created by Congress, offering a visa and an eventual path to a green card and US citizenship to victims of violent crimes who cooperate with the police.)
Laura's application was approved! She then waited five years to receive her visa because of the backlog. JFON was with her every step of the way, updating Laura on her case. Every year Laura prayed for the same things: patience and faith.
Laura did not have permission to work so she cleaned houses for cash, earning around $7 an hour. Some days she did not eat because she could not work enough hours to buy food.
Six months ago Laura was sleeping in her car because she could not pay rent. Laura says she prayed to God for help, and within the month learned her U-visa and her social security card had arrived.
Laura is now leading a life she never imagined! She is working at a dentist's office and will soon be training for her dream job as a dental hygienist.
During this North Texas Giving Day you can help immigrants like Laura transition from crisis to stability. Can we count on your support?
Our Needs
JFON North Central Texas has become known for our successful work serving immigrant victims of crimes and domestic violence by applying for abuse related visas. As more shelters in the North Central/ Dallas-Fort Worth region refer their immigrant clients to us, we desperately need to hire another attorney to meet the need. It is heartbreaking to turn away a mother and her children who have suffered abuse at home, kept imprisoned by the abuser by the fear of deportation. (It is a potent threat: "if you tell anyone, I will have you deported and you will never see your child again.")
Your donation to JFON North Central Texas will provide free legal help to an immigrant trying to escaping the violent chains of an abuser. Will you be the difference for a victim of abuse today?