Subject: Las Americas Immigration Advocacy Center of El Paso

Dear RWS 1301 students,

Violent crime is a multi-faceted behavioral phenomenon whose causes lie very deep
within the social fabric of the community. Research has shown, despite differences in
language, religion, and custom, domestic violence and physical assaults on women occur
at all social and economic level. The experiences of immigrant women in domestic
violence situations are often exacerbated by their specific positions as immigrants,
including limited host-language skills, lack of access to dignified jobs, uncertain legal
statuses and experience in their home countries. Immigration issue has caught the
attention of many including our local and national leaders. Many politicians of both
parties have their own opinion regarding this sensitive matter. The El Paso and Ciudad
Juarez metropolitan area is the biggest border community in the world. El Paso and
Ciudad Juarez are also one of the main entry points into the US for undocumented
workers and drugs. Immigrants from all around the world, as far as Burma and Cameron,
often end up in El Paso through smuggling. The presence and number of immigrants have
incessantly increased over the years. Because of these issues, Las Americas Immigration
Advocacy Center came into existence.
Las Americas vision is for all immigrants to have access to high quality legal
representation based on the principal of justice of human rights. It is dedicated to serving
the legal needs of the most vulnerable among low-income immigrants: the asylum
seekers, battered women and abandoned children. The agency believes that the American
Dream (vast majority of the illegal aliens currently are in the United States) should not be
for sale. They desire to empower immigrant women and their families by providing direct
legal services and educating the about their options. This agency currently has three main
areas of service. The Asylum Program is for those seeking asylum. The Battered
Immigrant Women Program serves immigrants who are victims of domestic violence and
crimes, and victims of human trafficking. Lastly, the Family Immigration Program who
works to help reunite families.
Communication within the agency is essential. They have an office where volunteers and
employees meet. Individuals and family who are in need of their assistance are highly
encourage to make an appointment and meet with the corresponding representative
and/or lawyers. Since it is a non-profit organization, the agency relies mainly on
donations and fundraising event such as their Annual Celebrity Dinner. Communication
for those who choose to help is done through their monthly donation. Facebook and
Twitter page have been made available to those who are into social media. Newsletters,
archives and inspirational are made available through their media center. The agency uses
multiple languages in creating documents. It is basic and clear to help those who have
difficulty in understanding. Bilingual rights pamphlets are available for those seeking
assistance.

Accessible immigration policy is a critical issue affecting the healthy, safety and future of
millions of undocumented people living within our society today. Moreover, immigrants
play a critical role in the economy and structure of our current society. Fortunately, there
are agencies like Las Americas Immigration Advocacy Center that support that right.
Government, business and non-profit organizations such as Las Americas work together
to find creative solutions to ease these highly politicized issues. For more information
about this agency and how to get involved, visit their website, www.las-americas.org.
Sincerely,
Elvira Medina