May 2009 – Mosaic Family Services received a $5,000 grant from The Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas to assist with program expenses for the Multicultural Legal Services Program, which addresses the needs of survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking from a holistic, global perspective, giving them the support they deserve to lead empowered, self-sufficient lives. Legal services are a fundamental step for victims becoming safe and self-sufficient. Our attorneys provide comprehensive legal services in the areas of immigration and family law for immigrant victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
The Section is comprised of nearly nine thousand members from all parts of the State and all sides of the Bar. The Section is a neutral organization comprised of plaintiff attorneys, defense attorneys, judges, mediators / arbitrators, pro bono attorneys and law students who are dedicated to improving our justice system and the quality of legal services delivered to Texans. The Section is actively involved in a number and variety of pro bono and educational programs.
The following story is from one of the clients served by the legal program at MFS:
“Jana’s Story”: Jana came to Mosaic Family Services in dire need of legal assistance. Her husband had filed for divorce and was seeking custody of their three children. Jana’s husband had been terribly abusive to her throughout their marriage. Jana had no legal status in the United States, she was completely undocumented. She was terrified that her husband was not only going to take their three children away from her, but that he would also have her deported to her home country. Jana’s husband had brought her to the United States twelve years ago through an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. However, once in the U.S. her husband refused to follow through with completing the petition, thus leaving Jana at his mercy, with no legal status.
Jana’s biggest concerns were retaining custody of her children and gaining legal residence in the U.S. Jana was a very intelligent and compassionate woman; however, the years of abuse had worn her down and she was almost defeated before we even started the fight. With the help of Mosaic’s services, including counseling, Jana was able to slowly regain her strength and confidence. In the meantime the legal department got underway in pursuing her legal case by challenging her husband’s petition for divorce and child custody, and submitting her immigration case. After approximately one year, our office was successful in both endeavors. Jana’s divorce was finalized and she retained sole custody of her children. Additionally Jana’s immigration petition was approved, and she was also given work authorization. Jana is now living on her own, working full time, and planning to attend community college this fall to become a paralegal.
For more information on the Litigation Section, please visit their website at http://www.litigationsection.com.
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