We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Silva to our Board of Directors! Melissa was born and raised in South Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley will always have a special place in her heart. After graduating from The University of Texas, she spent time in a campus ministry working with Latino college students at Southern Methodist…
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We are thrilled to announce that Penelope Codrington has joined our board! Penelope was born in England to West Indian parents. She immigrated to the United States from Barbados as a teenager. She is currently a corporate attorney and deal facilitator in Washington DC. Penelope has practiced law in the United States and in Europe for…
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VECINA is excited to announce that five attorneys from the law firm Akin Gump have joined VECINA as mentors. Akin Gump is a global law firm dedicated to social justice. It has a robust pro bono practice in which many of its attorneys participate. All of our new mentors have vast experience in asylum law…
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In May 2020, two of our pro bono attorneys, Imani and Anjelica, began representing a family of four from Venezuela, under the supervision of VECINA’s Virginia Raymond. The older child has a kidney issue that requires continued medical attention. The family tried to raise this issue with the court twice in January and February when…
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The Department of Justice and the Executive Office for Immigration Review announced Friday that it will not resume hearings under the Migrant Protection Protocols until certain criteria are met. Those criteria are as follows: Texas, Arizona, and California must all be in Phase 3 of their reopening plans; The Department of State and the Center…
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The Department of Homeland Security and Executive Office for Immigration Review Issued a joint statement on the scheduling of hearings subject to the Migrant Protection Protocol. Below is the official statement: Joint DHS/EOIR Statement on MPP Rescheduling The Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) remain committed to proceeding with Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)…
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