Lupita came to CIR, desperate for help.

Lupita’s Immigration case came to us by referrals from another one of our clients and friends.  She needed help to file her adjustment of status and visa renewal as well as work permits. Lupita does not have much work experience, but as a child she worked in her country to help the family business. When she came with her partner into the United States, he did not allow her to work as part of his abusive actions.  For over 10 years Lupita suffered violence from her partner, to the point that she not only has physical marks but also a large wound on her spirit. 

 Currently working, Lupita only works a few hours per week which is barely enough to cover some of her basic expenses. Even so, she has been very faithfully making ​payments to CIR for her case.  Unfortunately we can not offer free services to our clients in this hard situation, but as a nonprofit CIR does use a sliding scale to help those like Lupita who cannot afford regular legal fees.  Seeing Lupita making her payments surprised and touched me because of her difficult economic situation. 

We don’t only help her by making her case affordable,  we also pray with her every time she visit us.  We gave her a Bible to help her connect with God. She agreed to let us connect her with a local church Ministerio Cristiano Biblico.  Some from that congregation have visited Lupita . She shared with them that she feels very alone and that she has no friends.  She works at a low paying job, as part of her training for a CNA license.  She has 3 kids. Her youngest child who is almost 3 now was not expected to live because of pregnancy complications.  She continues to have developmental problems and cannot speak.  

Lupita is now married to another man, who treats her respectfully but can’t keep a job because of his immigration status. Lupita was very happy to know that even though it is going to take some time, someone is there to help her to figure out what to do with her immigration status, and that CIR has been able to lower her fees and work out a payment plan with her.

Recently, Lupita was granted Legal Permanent Resident status and has her Green Card! The day she picked it up from the CIR office she was at a loss for words. Her eyes brimmed over with tears and she repeated, "I just can't believe it." Lupita and her husband are waiting on his Green Card to arrive. They ask us to keep them in their prayers. We pray that God uses CIR in many ways to help our immigrant communities. 

Thanks to your contribution, this is possible!