VAWA - Lucy’s Story

Lucy met John, a US citizen, when he was traveling in her home country, Nigeria. She fell in love, and they married shortly after she arrived in the United States. Lucy’s dream of a bright future turned into a nightmare when she became a victim of domestic violence. In addition to the physical and psychological abuse, John used her undocumented immigration status as a tool for control and humiliation, refusing to assist her in obtaining a green card and threatening her that if she called the police, she would be the one to get arrested and subsequently deported. One fateful day, a concerned neighbor called the police after hearing a heated argument, leading Lucy to connect with a group of dedicated advocates. With their support, she left her husband and applied for adjustment of status under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provides protection and immigration benefits to survivors of domestic violence.

As part of the VAWA application process, Lucy was referred to a compassionate mental health professional who conducted a thorough evaluation. The evaluation corroborated and documented the profound impact of the cruelty she had endured at the hands of her husband, resulting in Lucy's green card being granted and providing her with the opportunity to rebuild her life. She pursued her dreams, attending school and honing her skills, eventually opening her own hair salon. Lucy's story is a testament to her resilience and the transformative power of support, advocacy, and access to mental health services for survivors of domestic violence seeking justice and a fresh start.