13 Not long after “Sylvia” moved to the United States from Haiti to join her fiancé, a US citizen, the young woman began to realize she’d picked the wrong man. Sylvia’s fiancé wouldn’t let her go out alone, talk to neighbors, communicate with her family, or learn English. He also began to abuse Sylvia physically and verbally. Nevertheless, Sylvia and the man married and had children. They were together until, after a particularly violent episode, Sylvia was able to contact a neighbor and ask for help. The police arrested Sylvia’s husband, and Sylvia and her children moved to a shelter. In 2012 the firm was contacted by Medical-Legal Partnership | Boston about Sylvia’s case. After the severe emotional and physical harm she had suffered, Sylvia was trying to move on, and the organization was looking for a legal team to help her resolve her immigration issues. Mintz Levin attorneys Emily Kanstroom and Jenni Mather McCarthy stepped forward to work on Sylvia’s case. With assistance from former Mintz Levin project analysts Anagha Prasad and Adrienne Darrow, and translation support from legal assistant Marie Jezequel, they helped Sylvia file a petition through a program introduced by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The VAWA petition program helps victims of domestic violence seek legal US immigration status. At the time Sylvia didn’t speak English. “In some ways, it felt as though I was her voice. She and I communicated in French, and I translated for the team,” Emily says. To file a strong VAWA application, it was important to fully understand the abuse Sylvia had suffered.“The words I chose to convey what she said became her narrative in English; I hung on her every word,”Emily says. Sylvia’s attorneys also filed for temporary employment authorization, and filed to adjust Sylvia’s status to that of a lawful permanent resident, with a green card, in the event that theVAWA petition was approved. Former Mintz Levin project analyst Emma Nitzberg helped manage the paperwork. In 2013, the goal was to keep Sylvia eligible to remain in the country, work, and receive public benefits while her VAWA petition was processed. The legal team helped Sylvia reapply for Haitian Temporary Protected Status, and obtained a determination of VAWA eligibility so Sylvia could receive benefits while her status was pending. In August 2013 theVAWA petition was approved, and the jubilant team began to prepare Sylvia for her immigration interview. At that successful meeting, held in March 2014, the immigration officer announced that Sylvia would get her green card. It took additional work, but in May 2014, the card arrived, and the team—deeply inspired by their client’s unwavering strength and resilience—met with Sylvia to deliver it in person.“It was an incredible—and emotional—moment for us all!”Emily says. “Achieving this life-changing result for Sylvia, a client who would not otherwise have had legal representation, was a deeply moving experience,”Jenni adds. “I don’t have words strong enoughtoexpressmygratitude to Emily Kanstroom, Jennifer Mather McCarthy, and the whole Mintz Levin team. These determined and devotedlawyerswerealwaysthere to listen, and they supported me with professionalism and kindness. Now I can offer my children a better future.” “Sylvia” Mintz Levin client Bright Horizons