Camille Van Kote

The Project

Camille provided family law representation to low-income immigrant women who have been victims of crime and establish a referral network to meet the victims’ wide-ranging legal needs.

Access to civil legal resources for undocumented immigrants is often hindered by fear of deportation, distrust of law enforcement, miseducation and language barriers. Immigrant women who have become victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes since their arrival in the United States are faced with even more challenges, which make them particularly vulnerable in the legal system. Gaps in legal services pose systemic hurdles that are extremely difficult to overcome. Without holistic representation to address their wide-ranging legal needs, these women are unable to move forward from their victimization.

Fellowship Highlights

In the past two years, Camille has:

• Provided referrals and guidance to over 100 undocumented women survivors of crime
• Reached over 275 allies and other service providers in the Houston community, including social workers and law enforcement officers, through trainings and presentations
• Conducted a Continuing Legal Education seminar for lawyers in the Houston community to discuss the intersection of family, criminal, and immigration legal needs for victims of crime
• Organized a Family Preparedness Workshop to assist clients with powers of attorney for their children in the event of detention by immigration officials

What’s Next

Camille plans to continue working with immigrant populations through legal representation and advocacy work.

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