Casa Cornelia Law Center

While the increase in migrants coming to the border has generated a lot of headlines recently, the numbers are not actually as unexpected as they may seem. The uptick is on par with the usual seasonal increase in migrant crossings this time of year, as winter closes and the heat of summer is still a few months away. Another unique driver at play is the bottleneck effect caused by the coronavirus border closure in 2020. Read more background on this developing issue at the Washington Post article linked here. #border #migrant #immigration #pandemic

Today we are celebrating Cesar Chávez Day! A first-generation American, Chávez led a groundbreaking unionization movement that was instrumental in ensuring the rights of farm workers in the 1960's and beyond. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Chávez's nonviolent strategy of boycotts, strikes and fasting led to real policy change protecting farm workers' right to unionize. While his activism spanned across social causes, many say his lasting impact is in empowering oppressed individuals to come together for lasting change. Learn more about Cesar Chavez and his incredible legacy by visiting the link below. https://chavezfoundation.org/about-cesar-chavez/ #CesarChávezDay #community #migrantworkers #farmerrights #activism

To close our #WomensHistoryMonth highlights, here is a woman with an accomplished past and a promising future. Stacey Abrams has had a notable career in American politics, serving in Georgia's House of Representatives for ten years before becoming the democratic nominee for Governor in 2018. While she has broken barriers for black women throughout her life, it's Abrams' recent grassroots organizing for voting rights that has brought acclaim and inspired many. She has focused ...her work on fighting voter suppression and encouraging voter registration in low-income and POC communities. Her tireless defending of democratic rights and persistence in the face of obstacles have changed the landscape of voting rights advocacy in Georgia and across the U.S. Learn more about Abrams and her initiative Fair Fight Action defending voting rights in Georgia. #women #votingrights #elections #advocacy

As incidences of discrimination against Asians spiked throughout the past year, the conversation on how to combat anti-Asian racism has risen to the forefront. Asian American writer Marjon L. Saulon wrote an opinion piece for The San Diego Union-Tribune offering insight into some of the obstacles in the way of justice for immigrant minorities in America. He says, "Breaking through requires making noise and challenging the status quo. We’re often taught to do the opposite." Read Marjon's full article at the link below. #stopasianhate #antiracism #immigrantrights

So far this year, the Volunteer Interpreters and Translators (VIT) Program has collaborated with 53 volunteers - 40 of them women. This Women's History Month, Casa Cornelia celebrates all of our incredible female language volunteers who uplift the voices of our clients, allowing them to tell their story in their own words, their own language. Without these committed volunteers, Casa Cornelia's work wouldn't reach a wide international population, as it does today. In this image, you can see the word "woman" translated into 22 different languages which are spoken by our clients and volunteers. #womeninterpreters #languages #languageaccess #womenshistorymonth #women

During the height of the pandemic, Xiomy de la Cruz had to rely on food banks to provide her her children - now, she has started her own food bank, fully run by donations, aimed at providing for low income and undocumented individuals in need. Called "La Bodeguita de la Gente," translated to "The People's Little Market," it is run in a basement underneath a mattress store in Hartford, Connecticut. Herself a survivor of domestic violence seeking asylum from Peru, Xiomy knows ...all too well the struggle and mistrust undocumented immigrants have in seeking out public benefits and resources, for fear of that information being used against their immigration cases. No-questions-asked food banks like Xiomy's have become essential in making sure all families are fed during the pandemic. Read Xiomy's full story at the CNN Business news article linked below. #foodbank #publicbenefits #immigration #asylum

Making a difference, one life at a time, has an impact in 25 years of service by our Executive Director Carmen M. Chavez. We are grateful for her devotion to Casa Cornelia and share this past weekend's article in The San Diego Union-Tribune featuring her lifetime commitment to making a difference, the importance of protecting the human rights of the most vulnerable especially in our border region, as well as her love for the San Diego community. Read the full article at the link below. #profile #articlefeature #immigrationlaw #anniversary #legal

Studies have found that black immigrants are put in solitary confinement - a form of punishment within the detention center - six times more often when compared to other detainees. This is in addition to higher levels of detainment and deportation reported for immigrants from African countries. These disparities put people's human and civil rights at risk, many of whom have already suffered many injustices in their past. Casa Cornelia is committed to equal access to justice w...ithin our immigration system, so the U.S. may continue to be a country where people seek freedom from violence and persecution. Source: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists https://www.icij.org//u-s-isolates-detained-immigrants-fr/ #detention #immigration #system #blackimmigrants

A new asylum rule scheduled to take effect Nov. 20 expands the types of crimes that could disqualify one from gaining asylum in the U.S. Read The San Diego Union-Tribune linked below to learn more about the new rule and how it affects asylum seekers in the U.S. #asylum #law #legal #humanrights

October 24, 2020 commemorates the United Nations 75th anniversary of working towards a better future for the world - from ending poverty, to climate action, human rights and economic development. Our own Asylum Program and training of Volunteer Attorneys representing asylum claims is partially funded by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, which specifically provides support for victims of torture pursuing a type of humanitarian protection called a T Visa. We congratulate the UN on this amazing accomplishment in their many years of service, and look forward to our partnership for years to come! #unitednations anniversary #humanitarian #partnership #torturefund

Gabriela* endured years of abuse and emotional struggle before finding the courage to break free from the cycle of domestic violence. Now, she and her children can find stability and freedom with their new legal status here in the U.S. Visit the link below to read Gabriela's full story and participate in Domestic Violence Awareness Month. #hope #stories #gratitude #volunteer #attorneys #humanitarian #protection *Names and photo changed for client confidentiality

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence continues to be one of the most prevalent issues in the U.S., accounting for 15% of all violent crime*. The situation for undocumented individuals is even more complex, as noncitizen victims often suffer in silence for fear of deportation and separation from their families. These victims of violence are so terrorized that they avoid seeking law enforcement and emergency medical services that could protect them. T...hey live in the shadows of society, alienated by trauma, language, poverty, culture, and fear. Through our Victims of Crime program, our attorneys help these individuals to access a form of humanitarian protection that allows them to seek justice and freedom from their abuser without fear of deportation. Visit our website to learn more about how you can help victims of domestic violence regain their human rights and live in freedom again. *Source: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence #domesticviolenceawareness #domesticabuse #immigrant #victims #justice

A group of men seeking asylum from Cameroon claim they were forced to sign their deportation papers and mistreated by ICE officials. They joined a group of more than 100 individuals in detention slated for the first deportation flight back to Africa since the pandemic. Human rights activists are urging ICE to hold any action against the detainees until they further investigate the allegations of abuse. "Many from the African nation have been denied permission to stay in the United States under new policies that have put asylum virtually out of reach," Says the Associated Press. Read the full article at the link below. #asylum #deporation #cameroon #humanrights

Congratulations to the World Food Programme (WFP) for winning the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize! It won this honor "for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict." Hunger has become a weapon in many recent conflicts, and is a driving factor in the humanitarian crisis fueling the movement of refugees. Thank you to WFP for combating hunger around the world and asserting food security as a human right for all. #NobelPeacePrize #food #security #hunger #refugees

The Mexican Consulate, in partnership with the California Department of Social Services, has put together a series of presentations for Spanish-speaking individuals on 'Everything You Need to Know About Covid-19'. The first one is TODAY at 12pm, and they will be happening every Tuesday for the next four weeks at the following link: facebook.com/consulmexsac #Covid_19 #coronavirus #information #Spanish #Mexico"

The Department of Justice announced 20 new U.S. immigration judges last week in an effort to diminish the increasing backlog of cases made worse by the pandemic. Two will be added to the Otay Mesa court here in San Diego County, making the total judges now seven in this location. Go to The San Diego Union-Tribune article linked in our bio to read more about the background of these two new additions, and what this means for our immigration system. #immigrationcourt #judges #justice #legal #law

This year, San Diego's own Chula Vista was ranked No. 1 in most integrating and welcoming cities for immigrants in the U.S., based on New American Economy's annual study. We are proud to live in a city that values cultural diversity and community growth - let's continue to be a city of people that defend human rights and support others. Read the full FOX 5 San Diego article at the link below. #sandiego #chulavista #welcoming #immigrants #community

Because of you all, we have EXCEEDED our fundraising goal for the La Mancha Awards event! We are so grateful for the commitment of our outstanding volunteers and dedicated supporters even amongst difficult and uncertain times. If you'd like to view our La Mancha Awards virtual program again or share it with someone, it is available on our website (link below). In addition, you can view or download the digital magazine containing more info on our awardees, sponsors and legal ...programs. Thank you to all who made this event such a success! https://casacornelia.org/la-mancha-awards/ #fundraising #LMA #LaManchaAwards #virtualprogram

Last Saturday, This is About Humanity and the Chicano Federation teamed up to provide crates full of items to 17 of our client families, and to complete a beautiful mural under the guidance of artist Mario Torero. The families (representing a total of 68 clients) who were referred to this donation drive come from 7 different countries in Latin America, Africa, and Europe, and include Spanish, English, French, and Mayan speakers. A little more than half are immigrant survivor...s of crime here in the U.S., while the rest fled their countries because of persecution and are seeking asylum here. As one client shared: "I feel like I won the lottery! I will never forget this act of kindness and please know how much you have helped our family." About a month ago, our staff also mailed out much-needed gift cards from This is About Humanity to clients in need. Cumulatively, these donated items and gift cards are helping our clients get through the hard economic times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so grateful for this partnership (since 2018) that has such impact throughout our community. Thank you! Photo credit: Carlos Solorio Yolanda Selene Walther-Meade Elsa Marie Collins Chicano Federation of San Diego County Nancy Maldonado International Community Foundation #giftcards #donations #socialservices #partnership #community #justicewithcompassion

Thank you for watching the premiere of our 13th Annual La Mancha Awards virtual program last night! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. For those who were unable to attend, the full video is now up on our website for your viewing, visit the link below. Thanks again, and congratulations to all our amazing awardees! https://casacornelia.org/la-mancha-awards/ #LMA LaManchaAwards #event #thankyou

The wait is over! Tune in to our virtual La Mancha Awards program TODAY at 5:30pm by clicking the link to our website below! Get ready for some inspiring awardee interviews and client testimonials - see you then! https://casacornelia.org/la-mancha-awards/ #LMA #LaManchaAwards #virtualprogram #JusticewithCompassion"