Hispanic Federation Launches ‘Caminos De Esperanza’ Initiative To Help Tackle Immigration Case Backlog

Matthew Peddie, WMFE, Sept. 17, 2021

"The Hispanic Federation says it will help fund organizations across the country which are working on a backlog of immigration cases. Eleven organizations will each receive a $100,000 grant through the federation’s Caminos de Esperanza initiative:

"Hispanic Federation’s new Caminos de Esperanza Initiative supports direct legal representation to the most vulnerable immigrants across the country. With a ballooning backlog of immigration cases, and amid Congressional lawmakers’ renewed push to include a pathway to permanent residency in the budget spending bill, Caminos de Esperanza will expand the programs of eleven non-profit immigration services and increase resources to meet the escalating demand for legal aid.  Immigrants rely on legal counsel to navigate their immigration cases and apply for existing pathways for relief, however immigrant legal representation is chronically underfunded and under-resourced. With an emphasis on individuals in removal proceedings as well as affirmative and defensive asylum and SIJ (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status), organizations will provide immigration support to over 1,500 individuals across the country."