Elizabeth Finds Stability After Years of Silence

Elizabeth* married her husband in 1988 when she was just 20 years old. From the beginning, she endured years of physical and psychological abuse. She stayed for the sake of her children and because divorce was strongly discouraged in her culture. For decades, she lived in silence, putting her family first while carrying the weight of harm no one should endure.

After a severe escalation of abuse that left her fearing for her life, Elizabeth made the courageous decision to leave. She reported the abuse to law enforcement, and with the support of her now-adult children, she was able to escape the marriage and begin rebuilding her life.

Because of her cooperation with law enforcement, JFAI  helped Elizabeth obtain a U visa certification and submit her U visa application. While U visa cases face long delays due to statutory limits, Elizabeth received a bona fide determination, confirming her eligibility and allowing her to obtain work authorization . With the ability to work legally and secure a driver’s license, Elizabeth now has greater stability and peace of mind. At 57, she was especially grateful to transition from a physically demanding job to less strenuous employment, an essential step toward healing and independence.

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*Name and photo changed for privacy reasons