As the only local organization providing legal services to unaccompanied detained children, and the largest non-profit law firm assisting adult asylum seekers in San Diego County, Casa Cornelia has been uniquely positioned to assist those who were separated as a result of the Zero Tolerance policy implemented by the federal administration. Despite our success in effectively assisting affected adult and [...]
A Reflection by Volunteer Attorney and Board Member Nancy Aeling, Esq. Of the thousands upon thousands of words I read, heard and studied in Law School, one sentence by a professor stands out: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48.) My work as a Volunteer Attorney at Casa Cornelia Law Center has been [...]
It is truly difficult to summarize the outpouring of support that Casa Cornelia’s clients received from community members this summer - across San Diego, across California, and even across the country. As news of the family separation crisis broke, our phones began ringing… and they kept ringing. I had the honor of working with incredible new donors and community ambassadors. [...]
Quality representation begins by hearing the client’s story in their own words--in their own language. This is where Volunteer Interpreters and Translators (VITs) make Casa Cornelia’s mission a reality: by making the client-attorney communication possible. VITs go through a comprehensive training consisting of ethical and technical elements to set up the clients (and our volunteers) for success. Artemisa Valle, who [...]
As a response to the current Administration’s aggressive deportation tactics, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of San Diego and Imperial Counties launched the San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN)–an interconnected system of organizations and individuals working together to respond to dehumanizing immigration enforcement activities, including checkpoints, raids, and arrests in the County. Casa Cornelia is one of the various service [...]
Marcelo’s Asylum: Granted Marcelo*, a 19-year-old young man from a Central American country, fled to the U.S. after facing threats from MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs, domestic violence and sexual abuse. He traveled by foot, hitchhiked, took several buses, and rode on the train also known as “La Bestia”. Although he met some people along the way, he mostly traveled [...]
Dear Friends, It brings me great joy to take a moment and reflect upon the history of Casa Cornelia: twenty-five years of collaboration, determination, and legal action to help thousands of children, women, and men to find justice and humanitarian protection. It is thanks to your friendship, compassion, and generosity as well as the continuous renewal of your commitment, that [...]
Diana* is a survivor of domestic violence – Shortly after learning that she was pregnant, her boyfriend got jealous at a party and threw her against a wall. After realizing that his abuse could kill her and her baby, Diana left the relationship. A few years later, she saw an emergency broadcast about police looking for a man suspected of [...]
