Destiny Umbenhower and Jessica Johnston, 3rd year law students at Santa Clara University, and Marco Campagna, a recent SCU graduate, prepared and filed a self-petition under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and an Application for Adjustment of Status to Lawful Permanent Resident for the battered wife and stepson of a U.S. citizen.
The wife was severely abused physically and mentally by her U.S. citizen spouse. His emotional abuse included threats to pour acid on her face and otherwise harm her. Thanks to these students’ efforts, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Vermont Service Center approved her self-petition based on the abuse she suffered. In addition, the USCIS office in San José has approved her permanent residence and her son’s permanent residence, so that both may begin to rebuild their lives.
