Providing Legal Security for Youth: Aleida Conners

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.

During the custody process, however, M.H. was the victim of a robbery. His cooperation with law enforcement authorities made him eligible to apply for a U nonimmigrant status (U-Visa). U-Visas are provided to victims of crimes who work with the police to apprehend and convict the criminals. Aleida filed M.H.’s Petition for a U-Visa in June 2015. There was no response from the United States Custom and Immigration Service until a request for evidence was made in July 2019. Aleida and Marvic worked with M.H. to respond to the request and gather additional evidence showing his eligibility for a U-Visa. In December 2019, they received notice that M.H. had demonstrated the eligibility requirements for the U-Visa and would be placed on the waitlist for a visa. In March 2020 and after a five-year process, M.H.’s U-Visa was approved retroactively, and he now has valid authorization to work in the United States. M.H. will be eligible to apply for permanent legal status in 2024. He continues to work and support his sister and has recently started his own remodeling business. June Cheng and Matthew Webster assisted.