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Casa  Cornelia  Law  Center is a public interest law firm providing quality pro bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations. The Center has a primary commitment to the indigent within the immigrant community in Southern California. Casa Cornelia strives to educate others regarding the impact of immigration law and policy on society and the public good.

Asylum
Persons with a credible fear of persecution or torture are legally entitled to protection within the United States through political asylum. However, because asylum applicants have no right to appointed counsel, many are prevented from presenting a legally sufficient case because they lack the financial means to hire an attorney. Casa Cornelia reaches out to these individuals, providing pro bono legal representation.

Domestic Violence
Among the most vulnerable in the community are undocumented women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Because their spouses or fathers have legal status, they are eligible to immigrate. However, their abusers refuse to legalize their status, and instead threaten their victims with deportation and separation from family. Through outreach clinics and pro bono representation, Casa Cornelia enables abused women and children to self-petition for immigration status each year.

Detained Unaccompanied Children
Each year, thousands of unaccompanied children enter the United States in search of safe haven or family reunification. Arrested and detained by federal immigration authorities, and with no right to appointed counsel, they would remain for months in detention without Casa Cornelia's intervention. To protect their legal rights and ensure safe family reunification, Casa Cornelia has a commitment to represent every detained unaccompanied child in San Diego.