Law students, working under the supervision of Lynette Parker, supervising clinician in the SCU Community Law Center’s immigration program, have successfully resolved two important cases involving victims of domestic violence. One of the clients has been granted legal status and work authorization in the United States under recently approved provisions for immigrant victims of crimes, and the other has been granted permanent residence in the United States under immigration provisions in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
In the first case, Seeta Ambati, a law graduate of SCU, Tracy Lingo, a visiting law student from Louisiana, and Kristen Herman and Christine Tassos, third-year SCU law students, represented a client and her children who were victims of severe domestic violence. The client and her older daughter were severely abused. Another daughter was kidnapped by the abuser. As victims of crimes who have cooperated with law enforcement in the criminal investigation, the client has been granted legal status that will allow her and her older children to obtain work authorization. She and her children will also be eligible for possible permanent residence in the United States. The law students’ representation included outreach to law enforcement, as well as persistent advocacy with various offices of Immigration.
In the second case, George Heridis, a law graduate of SCU, and Jyoti Rehki, a third-year SCU law student, represented a client who was married to a United States citizen. The citizen spouse violently abused her physically and mentally. Because of George’s and Jyoti’s advocacy, the woman and her daughter now have legal status in the United States and can began to build a healthy life together.
Provided by Community Law Center
Written by Sergio Lopez
