Making a change that improves access to the courts for our clients and for the broader community is a prime goal of legal services organizations. Central California Legal Services’ (CCLS) Family and Immigration Team recently did just that, in a cooperative project with judges of the Tulare County Superior Court.

CCLS advocates identified a persistent barrier to crime victims obtaining certifications from the court necessary for the filing of specialized visa petitions for crime victims. Without a standard procedure for this specialized type of request, CCLS clients – victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or trafficking – frequently faced delays or denials of their requests, jeopardizing their and their children’s safety and stability. In partnership with other organizations whose clients faced the same barrier, CCLS requested a meeting with Tulare County Superior Court judges to discuss the issue. The Tulare County bench was very receptive, and they created a procedure for responding to certification requests, creating a smoother path for all such crime victims to obtain documentation necessary for them to move forward in establishing a stable life

for themselves and their families. After the success of this project, the Family and Immigration Team plans to seek

cooperative solutions with other courts where the same issue exists.

CCLS’ Family and Immigration Team also represents abandoned, abused, and neglected immigrant children in proceedings to obtain a determination of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. A Superior Court judge must find a child to be abandoned, abused, or neglected by one or both of their parents before the child has a pathway to seek permanent status. The Superior Court applies California law as it would in any family court or guardianship proceeding. So, obtaining these determinations does not require expertise in immigration law. Pro bono attorneys can represent these vulnerable children in the state court proceeding, thus increasing CCLS’ capacity to take these cases – and give these children a chance for a better life. If you would like to discuss this volunteer opportunity, please give me a call at 559-981-7788 or email me at [email protected].