A Mexican grandmother who first crossed the United States border as a toddler is among hundreds of Alabamians defrauded by a discredited attorney.

Now she and dozens of other immigrants are finally getting permission to stay in the country legally – thanks to another lawyer who volunteered to help and found a creative solution.

“Everybody told me that what I was doing was not going to work,” attorney Danny Upton told AL.com .

Upton is trying to get about 100 people U visas, a status awarded to immigrant victims of crimes who help law enforcement. After three years with a U visa, immigrants can apply for permanent legal status.

He argues that the immigrants were defrauded by a disbarred attorney, Douglas Cooner, who charged for legal work that harmed their chances of staying in the co

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