How One Teen Fought for her Future with the Power of a Lawyer Behind Her

When Karla fled to the United States at 16, all she carried with her was courage. Alone but determined, she had escaped relentless violence in El Salvador in search of safety. What she didn’t know what that another fight awaited her—a legal one—and without help, the odds were stacked against her.  

“I was scared,” Karla remembers. “I had to go to immigration court with no lawyer, no one to explain what was happening. It was just me and my sister. We didn’t know what to do.”  

After her first court hearing, a simple conversation changed everything. Someone told her about Kids in Need of Defense (KIND).  

“Thank God we found them,” Karla said. 

From that moment on, she was no longer alone. KIND’s pro bono attorneys stood by her side through every hearing. They explained her options, helped her submit the right paperwork, and gave her something even more valuable: hope.  

“They didn’t just help with my case,” Karla said. “They motivated me. They helped me believe I could keep going, that I could build a life here.”  

Thanks to the unwavering dedication of her attorneys, Karla earned her green card. A life-changing step toward stability and opportunity.  

But Karla’s journey was only beginning.  

Education: A Path Forward 

Having left school in El Salvador after the 9th grade, Karla was placed into 10th grade in the U.S., a challenge for any teenager, but especially one learning a new language and culture.  

“It was hard. I didn’t know the system or the language. But I pushed myself. If I didn’t know something, I’d keep trying until I got it.”  

Her older sister found a school that supported unaccompanied children. Teachers gave her extra help with English and made sure she could keep up. With each class, Karla grew more determined. But when graduation came, another obstacle loomed: how to pay for college.  

“I remember feeling stuck. I couldn’t get financial aid like other kids. I thought I wouldn’t be able to go.”  

Once again, her attorneys stepped in, connecting her with scholarships, offering encouragement, and helping her navigate a complex system. Karla did more than go to college. She thrived. She studied psychology and sociology and graduated a semester early.  

“My degree is so special because it opened so many doors for me. No one can take it away. It’s something I earned for myself.”  

Today, Karla works in an elementary school helping children with special needs and dreams of one day pursuing a master’s degree. She also advocates for more educational access for immigrant students like her.  

“I would tell policymakers we need more resources, more access, more ways to find opportunities. We don’t know the system. We just need a chance.” 

A Future Without Limits

Looking back, Karla knows her life could have turned out very differently. 

“I’m so thankful for KIND and my lawyers. They were there for me through everything, from court to school. Because of them, I could move forward and grow.”  

Now, that she has her green card, Karla’s opportunities are nearly limitless. Her story proves just how pivotal legal support can be.