Woman’s lawyer claims U.S. immigration law officials abuse power

Louisiana is home to many immigrants. Some may currently be facing problems regarding U.S. immigration law similar to a woman in another state. The process to remove her from the United States has begun, and she has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security to try to avoid deportation.

The woman entered the United States legally under a visa many years ago. She has been living here for almost two decades since her visa expired. In 2015, the woman reportedly became the victim of an assault where her attacker threw her against a wall and down a flight of stairs. Sometime later, she applied for a U-visa, which would allow her to avoid removal if she cooperated with any criminal investigation related to her assault.

The woman did indeed cooperate with police investigators; however, her U-visa was never approved. In the meantime, the federal government has given her until the end of October to leave the country. Her attorney has stated that the woman’s situation is a clear example of abuse of power because there is no logical reason for the U-visa approval delay.

The woman has four children of her own as well as 10 grandchildren. She has reached out for support from various immigrant advocates, saying that the federal government has her family’s future in its hands and unless her U-visa is granted, she will be torn apart from her loved ones. If a similar situation were to occur in Louisiana, having an experienced attorney well-versed in U.S. immigration law on one’s side in court may be just what is needed to help an immigrant avoid removal.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “Berwyn grandmother of 10 facing deportation sues DHS over visa delay”, Madeline Kenney, Sept. 18, 2017