Latest news with #T-visa
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Therapist turns personal immigration story into lifeline for others amid rising ICE concerns
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, June 30, 2025 / / -- As national outrage grows over recent deaths and civil rights violations involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), California-based therapist Dora Valencia steps forward to help people navigate the legal system through trauma-informed immigration evaluation services. Valencia, a licensed clinical social worker, draws on her own immigration story to support individuals facing cases related to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), U-visa, T-visa and Extreme Hardship waivers. She provides culturally responsive psychological evaluations to help clients tell their stories in support of immigration relief. Born in Mexico and brought to the U.S. as a baby, Valencia spent her early childhood undocumented just miles from a border checkpoint. She doesn't recall being afraid of the checkpoint itself due to her age, but she does remember the constant need to stay cautious and aware. She learned what to say and how to carry herself if approached by border patrol. 'People don't leave home without a reason, whether it be fear of persecution, poverty, violence, or something just as challenging,' said Valencia. 'Those who immigrate to the United States are truly looking for a better life and America has always been seen as the land of promise and dreams. They see America as an opportunity to work hard and provide for their family.' Now, as headlines expose alarming ICE facility conditions and the ongoing trauma endured by asylum seekers, Valencia's work is timelier than ever. Expert immigration evaluations help nearly 90 percent of cases secure relief. A study analyzing 2,584 immigration cases that included forensic medical evaluations (covering both physical and psychological assessments) found that 81.6% resulted in a positive outcome, which is significantly higher than the national average grant rate of 42.4% during the same period. Valencia offers immigration evaluation services amid growing national concerns around immigrant safety and due process. She serves clients across California through secure Telehealth sessions in both English and Spanish. To schedule an appointment with Dora Valencia, LCSW, contact Lisa Eaton Therapy and Coaching's Intake Coordinator at 949-236-1990 or [email protected]. Lisa Eaton Therapy and Coaching is a California-based TeleHealth practice committed to doing therapy differently. Founded by licensed therapist and coach Lisa Eaton, the practice offers high-quality, results-driven mental health and coaching services designed to help clients feel truly supported and guided through life's challenges. Since launching in 2021 as a group practice, Lisa Eaton Therapy has expanded its reach while maintaining a high-touch, compassionate approach rooted in clinical expertise and human connection. Serving clients across California, including Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego and beyond, the practice prioritizes client experience, cultural responsiveness and lasting change. Learn more at Lisa Eaton Owner, Lisa Eaton Therapy and Coaching +1 (949) 236-1990 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milwaukee teacher's aide must self-deport; ICE reviews request to stay
The Brief A teacher's aide in Milwaukee Public Schools is trying to avoid being deported. Yessenia Ruano has been ordered to self-deport by immigration officials. ICE is now formally reviewing her request to stay in the United States. MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee Public Schools teacher's aide has been told by immigration officials to self-deport. She is still in Milwaukee a week after the deadline. What we know The teacher's aide in question is Yessenia Ruano. On Tuesday, June 10, many students were seen holding up posters with messages saying, "I stand with Mrs. Ruano" and "Immigrants are welcomed here." Ruano works at Alba School as a teacher's aide. She faces a self-deportation order. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Ruano's attorney, Marc Christopher, told FOX6 News Ruano has submitted a request to stay, asking the agency to delay the deportation until a decision is issued pending her T-visa application for survivors of human trafficking. On Tuesday, a group of people walked around a neighborhood on Milwaukee's south side to show their support for Ruano. What they're saying "We have organized to support one of our teachers' aides, who is beloved. She has two daughters here who were born in this country. We are scared that she will be deported. And as a school, as a community, we love her. We love her kids. And just for all of the other immigrants in our community, we're here to support them," said Veronica Ramirez, a teachers union representative. What's next Ruano's attorney told FOX6 News ICE is now formally reviewing his client's stay request. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News FOX6 News reached out to ICE and the Trump administration for comment, but are still waiting for a response. The Source The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NM Supreme Court rules alleged crime victims don't need to disclose visa applications
The New Mexico Supreme Court on Nov. 20, 2023 in Santa Fe. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) The New Mexico Supreme Court on Thursday ruled unanimously that criminal defendants are not entitled to visa applications from their alleged victims who are seeking protections from deportations as part of their testimonies. So-called U and T visas allow non-citizen crime victims to report crimes and testify against perpetrators without fear of being deported. Approved visas allow victims temporary stays in the United States and also a potential avenue to lawful permanent resident status. Last year, the court ordered judges in San Juan and Bernalillo counties to return or destroy victim visa application material that prosecutors had previously provided to defense teams. The court's new ruling in an opinion issued today provides the legal reasoning for that order. Local DA says immigrant crime victims are going silent amid deportation fears, letting abusers free A rule requiring prosecutors to provide applications to defense teams could have a 'chilling effect' on 'immigrants' willingness to report crimes,' the court's opinion, written by Justice Shannon Bacon, said. First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies recently told Source New Mexico that some immigrant crime victims have stopped answering her phone calls, potentially out of fear of being deported despite qualifying for U visas. About 25 alleged crime victims applied for the visa in her judicial district in the first two months of 2025. One woman who stopped participating in the criminal justice process accused her partner, a United States citizen, of abusing her and two kids, both under age 11 and citizens themselves, Carmack-Altwies said in February. While the court rules that visa applications are now confidential and protected against disclosure during discovery, there are instances when information in an application must be turned over. For example, if the prosecution knows that a victim has applied for a U visa, they should turn that over to the defense team, 'because the fact of a U/T-Visa application is relevant impeachment material,' the court wrote. A crime victim's credibility could reasonably be called into question, according to the court, because the benefits of a U or T visa are 'significant and could provide ulterior motives.' The court explained that 'the defense may impeach the victim's credibility by cross-examining the victim about the potential benefits that a U/T-Visa offers to a victim, acknowledging these benefits are significant and could provide ulterior motives.' When the U/T-visa application is relevant to the victim's motive, the court wrote, a defendant can: Cross-examine witnesses, including victims, regarding their knowledge and participation in the U/T-Visa application process and their reasons for involvement; impeach a witness who has made 'prior inconsistent statements on the topic'; educate the jury about what U/T visa is and their benefits by cross-examining the state's witnesses or direct examination of defense witnesses'; and make related closing arguments Also, if prosecutors have a copy of the visa application and material within it bears on the defendant's guilt, then the information — 'not the application' itself — must be disclosed, according to the court opinion. If the prosecution and defense disagree on whether information in the application is material, a judge may have to review it in private.
