Pro Bono Report 2022
.png)
4
57
9
Lawyers
Countries
Clients Served
Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey
Women and Children
2022 was another great year for the MDIVANI CORPORATE IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM PRO BONO PROGRAM. This year, we continued providing free legal services to immigrant women and children who are victims of Rape, Domestic Violence, Domestic Assault, Sexual Assault, and other violent crimes, based on referrals from domestic violence shelters in Kansas and Missouri.
We are very grateful to get to work with some of the finest advocates and shelter administration/staff in the nation. These incredible support systems for our mutual clients have enabled them to take major strides towards freedom from their abusers and we are proud to work with them.
Business Immigration Attorneys Mira Mdivani, Danielle Atchison, Leyla McMullen, Hadley Bybee ; and Bryce Slaughter along with the firm law clerks Abigail Sepich and Nate Longoria worked with women and children referred by local domestic violence shelters and assistance programs to ensure that these immigrant survivors have access to high quality legal representation in obtaining and maintaining legal status in the United States to enable them to break the cycle of violence.
Free Legal Services Provided to the Survivors
I-360 petitions based on Domestic Violence Under the Violence Against Women Act, U Visa petitions, Applications for green cards, Naturalization for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Services for Battered Women and Children under the Violence Against Women Act:
In 2022, Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm provided free legal services to immigrant women survivors of domestic violence in applying for legal status in the United States under the Violence Against Women Act.
What We Filed On Behalf Of Survivors:
I-360 Self-Petition as Survivor of Domestic Violence
I-485 Applications for Green cards based on VAWA petitions
I-765 Employment Authorization Documents to enable our clients to work legally in the United States
Results:
Numerous survivors were granted employment authorization, allowing them to work legally in the United States; and
One survivor was granted a ten-green card allowing her to permanently reside in the United States free from fear of her abuse
U Visas and U-Based Green Cards for Victims of Violent Crimes
In 2021, we continued providing free legal services to women and children victims of crimes falling within the U Visa category. These individuals are eligible to apply for status in the United States if they are a victim of a qualifying crime and are helpful in prosecuting the perpetrator.
What we filed on Behalf of Survivors:
I-918 U Visa petitions, for three victims and their derivative children
I-192 Application for Advance Parole
I-485 Application to Adjust Status
I-131 Application for Travel Permission
I-765 Employment Authorization Documents for our clients to work legally in the United States
Results:
We prepared several U Visa-based Green Card applications, which were approved!
USCIS approved two U Visa Petitions, granting a survivor of domestic violence four years of eligibility to live and work in the United States and the opportunity to file for a green card
USCIS approved work permit applications for abused women and their dependents and placed them in deferred action while their U Visa Petition is pending.
Naturalization
If possible, we provide ongoing services to our pro bono clients as they become eligible. Specifically, we will work for justice for victims to gain status in the United States, then permanent residency (green card), on to U.S. citizenship. This year, we were proud to represent three of our clients in naturalization proceedings pro bono. We have conducted analysis and foresee us filing several more next year!
Replacement Applications
Our services range throughout the entire immigration process for our clients. We often jump into cases where the victim already has status but has had their evidence of status stolen, such as a green card. Stealing passports, green cards, etc. is often used by abusers to control their victims. We prepared and received a replacement green card for one survivor in 2022.
Thoughts from our Lawyers
“It has been one of the most rewarding experiences as an attorney to be able to help someone get their permanent residence. I originally wanted to be an attorney to give back to the underserved community, and the program I get to work in does just that. I am grateful for the opportunity to impact these survivors in their everyday lives.”
— Bryce Slaughter, our newest Corporate Immigration Attorney (interned with us through 2021-2022)
“It is a privilege to use our legal knowledge and advocacy skills to assist individuals with various immigration-related matters where the outcome will have a great impact on the course of their lives. Our pro bono program not only benefits those who may not have the resources or connections to obtain proper legal counsel, it also helps our attorneys stay actively involved in serving our community and focused on the bigger picture in life.”
— Hadley Bybee, Corporate Immigration Attorney
What Our Pro Bono Clients Say
“Thank you to you and your help I will be able to have my green card. Thank you again I really appreciate it all your help ”
— VAWA Pro Bono Client
“I’m proud to work with you, I’m so lucky to find you! Even if was a bad experience, but the end of the day, Having good people my around is more important than everything and it gives me strength.”
— VAWA Pro Bono Client
Community Outreach re. Domestic Violence and Immigrant Women & Children
Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm Attorneys continue to train lawyers and shelter advocates through outreach programs to educate the community about options for immigrant women and children victims of domestic violence. This includes:
Training advocates at local Kansas City domestic violence shelters on how to recognize, triage, and work with attorneys on these cases;
Teaching the mini-term course titled Immigration Law and Violence Against Woman at UMKC School of Law, and the course titled Domestic Violence at Washburn Law in Topeka, Kansas. Both courses focus on working with immigrant women and children who are survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes; and
Providing continuing legal education (CLE) about the firm’s pro bono program and related issues to practicing attorneys.
Special Thanks
We want to continue to thank our corporate clients for doing business with our firm. We thank you for enabling our pro bono work. It is through you that we can continue providing fee legal services to immigrant women and children survivors of domestic violence and other violent crimes. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
It Takes a Village, Want to Help?
If the situation calls for some immigration assistance outside the scope of our ability, we are very grateful to have colleagues all over Kansas and Missouri who are willing to help. If you are interested, in helping, please email DAtchison@uslegalimmigration.com.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only, it is not legal advice applicable to a specific situation. Viewing it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
© Mdivani Corporate Immigration Law Firm, LLC
