April 25, 2017

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

The numbers are in!

In 2016, with the support of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and many other generous supporters, Casa Cornelia responded to 2,280 men, women and children fleeing violence and seeking safe haven in the U.S. Once again, last year’s numbers exceeded the number of clients served each year since Casa Cornelia’s founding:

• 610 asylum seekers fleeing persecution and torture
• 557 survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking seeking safety
• 999 unaccompanied children fleeing violence, abuse or abandonment
• 114 individuals seeking other forms of relief, including the DACA/Dreamer Program
• In total, Casa Cornelia staff members worked with 542 dedicated volunteers, including volunteer attorneys, volunteer interpreters and translators, and others, who donated an astonishing 18,951 hours of their time.

Already in 2017, given the U.S.’s rapidly shifting immigration policy landscape, Casa Cornelia’s staff and volunteers are swiftly mobilizing to answer panicked client phone calls and sign contracts with new clients as quickly as possible. Mothers who are victims of crime fear deportation and worry about the future of their children. Clients from countries like Somalia are unsure what their futures hold. Children enter legal screenings with wide eyes and uncertainty in their hearts. Staff members have been staying late, giving many “Know Your Rights” presentations to communities, sending mailings, and coordinating with community partners to ensure quick delivery of humanitarian services.

As always, we thank the Society of the Holy Child Jesus for empowering Casa Cornelia to provide justice with compassion to as many individuals in need as possible.