'Bring Liberty To A Life' Campaign

The Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii assists clients who have experienced unimaginable traumas and abuses regain their freedom.  The following stories are examples of the clients we help and the four areas in which you can help bring liberty to a life.

If you choose to adopt a client, we will provide you with a profile of the client’s case that you funded.  Due to confidentiality of ongoing cases, we cannot provide you specific identifying details.  However, after the client’s case is closed, we will provide you with a detailed narrative of the client’s plight a nd a thank you letter from the client you helped.

Living with Fear
Asylum

The Lopez family fled the war in El Salvador for fear they would be killed.  One of the Lopez sons was already kidnapped and murdered.  The Lopez family knew their country was not a safe place to raise their children anymore.  The mother, father, and two remaining sons came to the United States and applied for asylum through the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center.  The lengthy asylum process took almost ten years, however, all of the family members were eventually granted legal permanent residence status.  The Lopez family has adjusted well and is living the American dream.  They no longer fear being returned to the country that took their son and brother.

Modern-Day Slavery
Human Trafficking

All they wanted was the opportunity to better their families by working hard for a living.  When a trusted elder, an “uncle”, offered them a job, they never thought they would be beaten, starved, and treated like slaves.  But in 2003, this tortured life became a reality for several Tongan men.  They were illegally transported to Hawaii and held in servitude to build lava rock walls from morning to night.  These victims were forced to live in abhorrent conditions, starved, beaten, and were paid infrequently.  The Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center helped these human trafficking victims obtain “T” visa status, which empowered them to escape their abusive situation.

Victims of Crime
U Visa

The Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center helps immigrants who are victims of serious crimes obtain immigration relief and provide referrals to available community resources.  To be eligible for a U Visa, one must be a victim of crime in the United States, suffer from substantial physical or mental abuse, possess information about the criminal activity, and assist law enforcement in investigating or prosecuting the perpetrator.  These cases can include women who were victims of intimate partner abuse, mothers of children who were sexually assaulted by others, or individuals who were sexually assaulted by government officials who used the individuals’ lack of legal status as a method of silencing the victims.

Years of Abuse
Domestic Violence

Sandy wanted what all mothers want, a loving and happy family.  Married for more than 20 years, Sandy’s family appeared fine from the outside.  In reality, however, Sandy suffered years of abuse - verbal, financial, and even sexual abuse.  As time passed, the abuse got worse.  Sandy came to the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center in tears, desperate for help to save her life and lives of her children.  The Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center supported Sandy, while she slowly freed herself and her children from the abuse.  Sandy obtained a restraining order, filed and received a divorce, found housing, and started life anew with her children.  Sandy is much happier today.  Most importantly, she is living safely in her home with her children, who support and love her very much.