Finding Freedom – and Hope – at Catholic Charities of Omaha

One of our long-term clients, a survivor of domestic violence, has achieved a major milestone on her path to stability and independence. She first came to our office in 2022 and initially applied for Adjustment of Status (AOS) through her U.S. citizen spouse. While awaiting a decision, the client experienced severe physical and psychological abuse from her husband. Eventually, he withdrew his support for her petition and refused to attend their scheduled USCIS interview, which could lead to the denial of her case.

Recognizing the urgency and danger of her situation, our team filed a VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) petition on her behalf. Our supervising attorney successfully consolidated her immigration cases and provided full representation at her VAWA-based AOS interview.

The interview with USCIS went smoothly. The officer was sensitive and respectful, ensuring the client was not re-traumatized. Following submission of her required medical examination, the officer indicated the case would be approved.

Now, both the client and her son are on track to receive their green cards—free from the control of her abuser and with a new sense of safety and self-determination. This outcome reflects the strength of the client and the impact of trauma-informed, client-centered legal representation.

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Guilermina’s Journey to Safety, Stability, and a New Beginning

When Guillermina first came to Catholic Charities of Omaha’s Immigration Legal Services Program (CC-ILS), she carried the weight of a trauma no parent should ever face. In 2020, her daughter survived a sexual assault — Guillermina was devastated and found herself as an indirect victim eligible for a U-Visa.

By 2023, Guillermina reached a critical milestone. U‑Visa holders must apply for lawful permanent residency before their status expires, or they risk losing the protections they fought so hard to secure. Unsure of the next steps and determined to safeguard her family’s future, she turned to Catholic Charities for guidance.

As we’ve done for a century, Catholic Charities walked alongside Guillermina, empowering human dignity at every turn. Together, we prepared and filed her adjustment of status application at the end of 2023 – this was a pivotal step toward long‑term stability.

In 2025 – her long, arduous wait was over – Guillermina received the news that her Lawful Permanent Residency was approved. With her green card in hand, she now has permanent legal status in the United States and a clear pathway to citizenship within five years.

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Family Reunification: A Mission of Mercy

A few years ago, Guadalupe – a U.S. Citizen building a life in rural Nebraska – was glowing with joy. She was pregnant with her first child and happily preparing for the birth of her daughter. Though Guadalupe lived in Nebraska, her family remained in Mexico, prompting a trip to see them before the baby was born.

But while in Mexico she experienced medical complications that required emergency labor. She was blessed with Sofia and instantly fell in love. Guadalupe’s joy was quickly clouded with pain. Although the child was eligible for U.S. citizenship through her mother, the family initially received incorrect legal advice and began pursuing an unnecessary consular immigration process.

Guadalupe was faced with a heart-breaking choice. Her employment and financial stability – her only means to care for her new daughter – were in the U.S. And because of the incorrect legal advice, she falsely believed her daughter would need to stay in Mexico. Guadalupe reluctantly returned to Nebraska. The case stalled and the mother and daughter remained separated for nearly two years.

In November, Guadalupe came to El Puente. Our legal team conducted a thorough case review and quickly identified the correct pathway: the child qualified for citizenship through her U.S. citizen mother. We worked closely with the client to prepare and submit an application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), which formally recognizes the child as a U.S. Citizen born outside the United States.

Through our legal guidance and advocacy, the case was approved and a U.S. passport was issued at the precocious age of two! This final step will allow the child to enter the United States as a Citizen and reunite with her mother.

This case highlights the critical importance of access to accurate legal services. Without proper guidance, families can remain separated for years despite clear eligibility under U.S. law. Our intervention helped correct the legal pathway, restore the child’s citizenship rights, and bring this family closer to reunification.

For this mother, the outcome means more than legal recognition—it means finally bringing her daughter home after nearly two years of separation.

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Behind every program is a person. Behind every service is a story.

For 100 years, these moments of compassion, resilience, and love have shaped not only individual lives, but the very legacy of Catholic Charities. Each story reflects dignity restored, hope renewed, and communities strengthened—reminding us that our mission lives on through the people we serve and the generations who continue to carry it forward.

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