Important Notice
At this time, our intake line remains closed due to the limited, referral-based nature of our services following recent funding changes. However, intake for referrals from collaborative partners has reopened. Click here to learn more about which clients you can refer to our services. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to prioritize referrals through our partner network.
About
Immigration Pathways for Victims (IMMPAV), part of our Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative, provides free immigration assistance to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. IMMPAV represents qualifying applicants across North Carolina in immigration matters including:
- Self-Petitions and Petitions to Remove Conditions for victims of domestic violence who are married to (or recently divorced from) U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who abuse them
- U Visas for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking
- T Visas for victims of human trafficking
- Applications to Adjust Status (to become a permanent resident) for self-petitioners, U visa holders, and T visa holders
- Removal defense for qualifying victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking
IMMPAV attorneys work with domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and immigrant rights advocates across the state to provide them with information about the rights of immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Through the DVPI, staff in local LANC offices, as resources allow, represent immigrant survivors in legal matters such as:
- Domestic Violence Protective Orders
- Family Law issues
- Public Benefits
- Housing issues
Brochures
Our Team
Leah Arnold is a Senior Staff Attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina’s IMMPAV Project where she has worked since 2015. Leah obtained her B.S. in Journalism with a certificate in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida in 2011, and her J.D. with a graduate certificate in global transmigration studies from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law in 2015. She is fluent in Spanish.
Patricia Dykstra-Lalangui is a paralegal with Legal Aid of North Carolina’s IMMPAV Project where she has worked since 2005. Patty obtained her degree in Business Administration from Miami Dade College in 2002 and her NC paralegal certification in 2007. She is a partially-accredited Department of Justice Representative who is allowed to prepare and file applications with USCIS, and is fluent in Spanish.
Amanda Hinnant is the Supervising Attorney of Legal Aid of North Carolina’s IMMPAV Project. Before coming to Legal Aid of NC in 2010, Amanda worked as an elementary school teacher prior to attending law school. She obtained her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005 and her J.D. from Charlotte School of Law in 2010. She is fluent in Spanish.
Rona Karacaova is the Managing Attorney of Legal Aid of North Carolina’s IMMPAV Project. Before coming to Legal Aid of NC in 2002, Rona worked with Connecticut Legal Services for three years and Legal Services of Southern Piedmont for one year. Rona obtained her B.A. in International Relations from Tufts University in 1993 and her J.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law in 1998. She is fluent in Turkish and proficient in Spanish and French.
TeAndra M. Miller is a Managing Attorney and the Statewide Director for Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Project. TeAndra has worked with Legal Aid of NC since 1994. She obtained her B.S. in Communications from the University of Iowa, a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University, and her J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Cara Palmer is a Staff Attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina’s IMMPAV Project, where she has worked since 2020. Cara obtained her B.A. in History with a minor in Human Rights from the University of Southern California in 2013, her M.A. in History and a Graduate Certificate in Human Rights from the University of Connecticut in 2015, and her J.D. and a Refugees and Humanitarian Emergencies Certificate from Georgetown University Law Center in 2020. She is fluent in Spanish.
Referrals
Who to Refer
For collaborative partners – please feel free to refer clients who meet the following criteria:
- Foreign national victims of domestic violence or sexual assault (or parents of children who have been victims), where the incident occurred within the past year or the criminal case was completed within the last year
- Foreign national victims of human trafficking, where the trafficking occurred in the United States within the past five years
How to Make a Referral
Referrals can be made by emailing immigration@legalaidnc.org. To help us respond as efficiently as possible, please include:
- Client’s name
- Preferred language
- Phone number and email address
- Best time and method to contact the client (phone or email)
- Whether it is safe for us to leave a voicemail or send a text message
We kindly ask that clients not contact us directly. Submitting referrals through your organization helps us ensure a coordinated outreach and intake process.
News
We are launching our "Stop the Cycle" campaign against abuse, assault and exploitation
RALEIGH—Legal Aid of North Carolina has launched the StopTheCycleNC campaign to raise awareness of the…
The surprising similarities among domestic violence victims and storm survivors
Legal Aid NC has a long history of addressing the legal needs of disaster victims.…
NC Bar honors TeAndra Miller, head of domestic violence project
Summer intern secures restraining order for domestic violence victim
BOONE · June 18, 2019 – The summer is just getting started, but Kelsey Woods, summer intern in our…
Raleigh Housing Authority settles lawsuit alleging housing discrimination against victims of domestic violence
MEDIA COVERAGE A Domestic Violence Survivor Asked the RHA for an Emergency Transfer. It Evicted…