EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS FELLOW, CLASS OF 2010
Printer-friendly versionLaura Belous
Name of Host Organization: Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
City, State: Florence, Arizona
Issue area: Immigrant Populations, Disability Rights
Sponsor: Anonymous
The Inspiration
The Florence Project works tirelessly to enable the 3,000 detainees in Arizona detention centers to represent themselves in Immigration Court. However, while working at the Eloy Detention Center, I saw that mentally ill detainees often do not have the ability to do so. That experience demonstrated the need for direct representation resources for mentally ill detainees, as well as an advocate with ICE and detention center staff to improve conditions and access to medical treatment inside Arizona's detention centers.
The Project
I will create a network of volunteer medical professionals willing to perform competency evaluations and legal professionals willing to act as guardians ad litem in Immigration Court. I will also provide direct representation to mentally ill detainees, including advocating for their mental health treatment while in detention and developing plans for post-release treatment.
Biography
Hometown: | Phoenix, Arizona |
Law school: | |
Making the connection: | I'm lucky to come from a family involved in public service. As a kindergarten teacher for three decades, my mother was a dedicated advocate for the refugee students in her classroom. She shaped my view of the law as a helping profession and has always been an inspiration. |
Surviving law school: | My clinical and volunteer experiences were a saving grace from the law school grind. I participated in both the Immigration Law and Child and Family Advocacy Clinics, where I got a chance to learn from truly amazing mentors. I also volunteered at the Florence Project throughout my second year, and the staff's dedication there always reminds me of what's most important. Finally, I highly recommend starting a garden! There's something about digging and planting that is the antidote for law school stresses. |
Recommended books: | I've got The Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes on my nightstand now. |
Favorite website(s): | Bibdaily.com for the daily scoop on immigration-related news; and digginfood.com and freshdirt.sunset.com for virtual gardening. |
Music I love: | I grew up playing the cello, so I'll take Bach anytime. Glenn Gould's Goldberg Variations or Pablo Casals' Cello Suites are terrific. I also love Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. |