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

Casa Cornelia Law Center is a Sponsored ministry of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

We are witnessing conflict and displacement around the world, but we remain even more faithful in our mission. Below is one of our most recent client stories, which highlights the power of perseverance and humanitarian access to justice.

Kanan* is a Sikh teenager from a small town in rural India. When he was only 13 years old, members of the governing political party stormed his house looking for his father who belonged to the opposition, and in the process assaulted him and his mother. They tried to report the incident to the police but were mocked by the officers. After several threats and violent attacks on his family, one of Kanan’s relatives put him on a plane to New Delhi, and he eventually arrived in the U.S. with the intent to seek refuge.

Katherine Paculba Lacher, Managing Attorney of our Pro Bono Program, took the case and successfully obtained Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for him! Kanan is now finishing high school and dreams of going to college someday.

*Name has been changed to protect client confidentiality.