February 2, 2022

Carmen M. Chavez, Esq. – Executive Director, Casa Cornelia Law Center

During the last two years, COVID-19 revealed the challenges that indigent children, families, and asylum seekers face when they need an attorney. Many of them reside in rural areas where access to lawyers, as well as other critical services, is virtually nonexistent. The gap between them and the justice system is compounded by their trauma, punitive immigration detention, poverty, and language barriers.

Notwithstanding the pandemic, Casa Cornelia has built bridges in new geographical areas to provide indigent children, families, and asylum seekers with access to qualified pro bono attorneys. Victims can tell their stories to the attorneys and prevail in the justice system. As a result, the Law Center has successfully obtained the release of victimized women and men from detention while continuing to represent them in their legitimate asylum claims.

One of these courageous stories is that of Leon.* Caught in Cameroon’s ethnic conflict between the English and French-speaking regions, Leon suffered torture and trauma after speaking against the mistreatment of his people. Fearing for his life, Leon fled his country and sought asylum protection at the U.S. border.

Once processed, officials placed Leon* in detention in Imperial, far from access to resources for asylum seekers. Nevertheless, Casa Cornelia took his case, obtained his release, and won asylum on his behalf! Leon’s chances of returning to a death sentence in Cameroon would have been four times higher without an attorney.

*Name has been changed to protect client confidentiality.