Update your Cookie Settings to use this feature.
Click 'Allow All' or just activate the 'Targeting Cookies'
By continuing you accept Avaaz's Privacy Policy which explains how your data can be used and how it is secured.
Got it
We use cookies to analyse how visitors use this website and to help us provide you the best possible experience. View our Cookie Policy .
OK
Victory
This petition is closed
VICTORY FOR VICTORIA

VICTORY FOR VICTORIA

Victory
This petition is closed
50 Supporters

Victoria S.
started this petition to
Director Alejandro Mayorkas
Many factors contributed to victory in this case. USCIS contacted my attorney Mark Williams at Paretta Law Firm on 8831S Redwood Rd, Suite A about this petition and signatures I sent to them. Any reason a government official is asked to give accountability and follows through in any manner, it is progress. This petition and a host of other ways to make noise contributed to the victory, and therefore there is reason to celebrate at Avaaz.org as well.



Victoria has been waiting for over 7 years for a resolution of her immigration status damaged by Weber State University's alleged "data migration errors" that supposedly failed to recognise her "country code" in the immigration dabatase WSU maintained for all foreign students. She should not have had to carry this burden.

A mother of three children, one of them adopted when her sister died, Victoria fled at gunpoint to her father's house and then to American to break the cycle of violence.

Her plan was to attend college, bring her children to the US, graduate quickly to spend quality time raising her family.

She was fortunate enough to attract the attention of a sponsor who paid her tuition and who promised financial support for her and her children for as long as she was on track with her academic plan.

After she finished her undergrad at Weber State University, she enrolled in a Masters degree at the same university. This degree was supposed to take 3 years but she did it in 1 year ready to graduate in fall 2006 when she was told she could not graduate because of a computer error.

Due to this error, she lost credibility of her sponsor who withdrew financial support until she had fixed computer issues with the university. She lost her immigration status. In vain, she filed civil action against the university hoping she would regain the support of her sponsor. While in the process of suing her university, she was arrested for not having status to be in America. She lost all of her money to immigration attorneys. She sold most of her belongings including items that were of sentimental value to her. Because she is not allowed to work, going to the swapmeet was one way she could legally make an income.


Her battle for legal status to be in the US has taken over 7 years. For the first time in her life in America she faced homelessness, hunger and worsened symptoms of her PTSD and she holds numerous court documents showing that Weber State University admits their error that led to her difficult circumstances but they have not been found legally liable for their actions. To cope emotionally she sings opera, writes and reads poetry, and has several books that speak to her journey.

Media Credits:

Richard Meade, SLC Photographer (Not affiliated with petition content)
Posted (Updated )