· Missoula Independent · By Alex Sakariassen · From the Border Crossing Law Firm media archive.
The Missoula Independent examines Shahid Haque's criticism of the Department of Justice for condemning local failures toward sexual-assault victims while prosecuting one of his abused immigrant clients. The article traces how her ex-husband's violence and immigration tip, a federal conviction, and threatened deportation undermined her ability to pursue charges and later jeopardized both VAWA and U-visa relief.
The reporting gave public visibility to a pro bono case without naming the client. It also placed Shahid in a difficult but important role: supporting scrutiny of Missoula's system while insisting that federal agencies confront how their own choices could criminalize a victim.