In a world shadowed by the plight of displaced immigrants, a beacon of hope and resilience emerges. attorney and advocate Jany Martinez-Ward stands at the forefront of this global challenge. Many displaced people arrive in host countries with limited knowledge of the local language, culture and legal systems, rendering them vulnerable and marginalized.
The crisis of displaced immigrants: Emerging facts
Millions of people are caught in the relentless whirlwind of the displaced immigrant problem, which is weaved from the strands of economic injustice, political unrest, conflict, natural disasters and persecution. These people, who have been uprooted from their homes, frequently find themselves navigating perilous oceans of language difficulties, cultural divides and confusing legal systems. Fear, xenophobia and discrimination throw foreboding shadows over their hopes, begging for heroes to appear.
A sobering reality: Numbers that speak
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, human displacement has increased steadily over the past few decades. A staggering 80 million souls have been torn from their homes, compelled to seek refuge as refugees, asylum seekers or internally displaced persons. This unsettling statistic translates to more than one percent of humanity, where one in every 97 individuals is a casualty of displacement.
An exclusive glimpse: Martinez-Ward speaks
Martinez-Ward, managing partner of The Ward Law Group, casts light on the darkness of the displaced immigrant crisis. Her voice reverberates with passion as she urges readers to see this issue not through the prism of nations but as a collective human concern.
A personal odyssey of advocacy
Martinez-Ward’s journey has been described as an odyssey of transformation. Her law firm, The Ward Law Group, now has an office in New York, a city with a thriving Spanish-speaking immigrant community.
The surge of asylum seekers, with 100,000 migrants since last spring, could not escape their notice. Martinez-Ward and her husband, Greg, felt the call to action echoing through their souls.
Lighting the way: “Act where you are with what you have”
The mantra that guides Martinez-Ward is one of profound simplicity: “Act where you are with what you have.” Her family’s journey, from humble beginnings to blessings earned through hard work, instilled in her a sense of duty to give back. She knows firsthand the struggles of being caught in a system seemingly rigged against you. “When I graduated from law school, I did not see that I could make an impact on immigration because the system itself has become a political hot potato,” she says.
Legacy of The Ward Law Group: A strong impact
Over the past decade, The Ward Law Group has evolved into a South Florida titan of personal Injury law. Their goal is to defend the rights of Spanish-speaking immigrants. Their unwavering dedication has resulted in exceptional settlements, with an astounding 22 settlements totaling more than $1 million. Their cumulative settlements have surpassed $500 million, a testament to their unwavering pursuit of justice.
Building bridges, not walls
The first step in dealing with displaced immigrants is trying to tackle the root causes of the refugee crises around the world. “We support schools, orphanages and churches in Latin and South America to try and lessen the need to leave those places,” Martinez-Ward says. “We provide training to workers offshore.” For immigrants here who wish to start businesses, “we started Hundredfold Business Center, which provides low-cost single offices and virtual offices for those starting in business.”
Martinez-Ward sees a better future where those who have been uprooted from their homes are given the help they need to start over. Her main goal in life is to establish a foundation dedicated to providing immigrants with necessary resources, including basic needs and access to education, and helping them rebuild their lives.
A beacon of hope
We find a beacon of hope in Martinez-Ward’s inspirational path, blazing brightly against the backdrop of global issues encountered by displaced immigrants. Her voyage has shaped her into a force for positive development, distinguished by hardships and successes. Her tale powerfully demonstrates the transformative power of support in empowering immigrants on their difficult journeys.
The news and editorial staffs of the New York Daily News had no role in this post’s preparation.
