"Don't Take My Child From Me" - Anjali Kour's Story - Chai With Sahelis: A Desi Dost Project

Anjali Kour married a H1B visa holder and moved to America. Then, domestic violence destroyed her marriage. Anjali became an illegal alien when her husband refused to renew her H4 dependent visa and abandoned her. Losing her immigration status nearly cost Anjali her son. For years she battled the US family and immigration courts to win back custody. She continues to live in legal limbo as that battle goes on.

“Don’t Take My Child From Me” is her story. 

Anjali’s tale is a graphic case of transnational abandonment.  Her fight for her son and immigration status encapsulates a large dilemma that many immigrant women face.  

This audio story is part of a unique storytelling project, “Chai with Sahelis,'' where survivors from the Indian American (desi) community share deeply personal stories about their experience living with and surviving  domestic violence.

This three-part series for October’s Domestic Violence month, is supported by the USC Center for Health Journalism in partnership with Desi Collective, Narika and India Currents.To protect her privacy, we’re calling her Anjali Kour.

This content is intended only for mature audiences. Listener discretion advised.
CW/TW: domestic violence, language, mental health, mental illness, depression, su*c*de, violent imagery, body image, anger, anxiety, abandonment

This article was produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2021 Domestic Violence Impact Reporting Fund.

Artwork: Amita by Tanya Momi
Music: Tumko dekha to by Himanshu Katara  on storyblocks.com

If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact:
Narika : 1-800-215-7308
Maitri : 1-888-8624874
Raksha : 1-866-56-ABUSE
Domestic Violence Hotline : 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

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