The USA is a major destination for immigrants from all over the world. However, a great number of foreigners live in the USA in very vulnerable situations, such as abandoned juveniles, human trafficking victims, and asylum seekers. Bernado Kohler Center (BKC) provides pro-bono legal services to these people in order to guarantee respect and protection to their rights.
Restoring voices and saving lives: pro-bono legal services
Estados Unidos
Problem
One of the main challenges for immigrants, in particular in Texas, is the lack of documentation to obtain legal status and settle down in the USA. In 2009 the Department of Homeland Security estimated that there were 1.68 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas. The nation as a whole is said to have 10.8 million, according to the DHS.
Project
BKC offers a variety of pro-bono legal services to low income immigrants, according to their needs. Generally speaking, there are four main program areas under the U.S. immigration law: (1) abused, abandoned, and neglected juveniles; (2) victims of human trafficking; (3) crime victims; and (4) asylum seekers
Comunidad
The beneficiaries are basically low-income immigrants, in particular children and juveniles based in Texas, USA.
volunteers involved
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"It is both a great honor and a challenge to serve at BKC as an America Solidaria fellow. Being an immigrant myself, each achievement for the program’s beneficiaries is also a personal victory. Finally, it is an incredible joy to contribute to transform the American continent in a place more just and fair." Pablo Mattos, Paralegal