There are many reasons why youth entering the United States need legal assistance. Some come from abusive backgrounds while others come from dangerous situations. Whatever their reason, once they are here, many need help to navigate the legal system.
ALEIDA CONNERS
In the summer of 2013, G.H. was just 16 years old when she made the momentous decision to escape the horrific abuse by her stepfather. Living a life of servitude at his hands, and unable to finish her education, G.H. traveled alone from her small village in Guatemala and entered the United States as an unaccompanied minor. She then joined her older brother, M.H. in Minnesota. Her brother had himself entered the United States in 2001 as an unaccompanied minor at the age of 15. He had been working at various Twin Cities restaurants since and began financially supporting his sister upon her arrival. In 2014, Volunteer Lawyer’s Network (VLN) referred M.H. to Fredrikson for pro bono assistance in securing custody of his sister. This would be the first step in obtaining permanent legal status for her. Aleida Conners undertook the representation. She and legal administrative assistant Marvic Salminen-Morillo guided M.H. through the custody process. The Petition for Custody was filed in December 2014. With the help of VLN and some ingenuity, Aleida and Marvic served G.H.’s mother and estranged father in a remote part of Guatemala not reached by the country’s postal system. In April 2015, the team received an Order for Custody granting M.H. sole legal custody of his sister, including findings necessary to allow her to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). With the Order for Custody in hand, VLN applied for and received SIJS for G.H. She became a legal permanent resident in August 2015 and is currently applying for US citizenship. G.H. completed her high school education in Minnesota and is currently working. 10
