EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The Mexican government is partnering with U.S. nonprofits and a few law firms to help some immigrants overcome legal hurdles ranging from staving off deportation to forcing employers to shell out hard-earned back wages.
The free legal clinics started this week at the Mexican consulate in El Paso and will expand to all 53 of Mexico’s diplomatic sites in the United States, said Felix Herrera, deputy consul general in El Paso.
“We have people who are permanent residents interested in obtaining U.S. citizenship. It’s very important for them to consult an attorney. Also, if people have had a problem in the past and they are in a deportation process, they can also consult (attorneys) on those cases,” Herrera said.
Nearly 60 El Paso residents have had consultations as part of External Legal Advice Week (SALE, in Spanish), which ends next Monday, Aug. 19.
According to research published this year by the University of Texas at El Paso, community activists say undocumented immigrants are the most common victims of wage theft. That includes being paid less than the state-mandated minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, not being compensated for overtime or not being paid at all.
Not all victims file labor complaints due to fear of retaliation or concerns their lack of lawful immigration status will get them deported. The research says lack of labor policy enforcement is also a factor. The city of El Paso and the state of Texas have passed regulations to protect workers from wage theft, and the U.S. Labor Department investigates wage theft complaints regardless of the victim’s immigration status.
Some victims of domestic violence also have attended the legal clinic, consulate staff said. Those customers received information regarding assistance and were told about the requisites for a U visa that allows some victims to lawfully remain in the United States – if they are undocumented immigrants.
Several Mexican citizens coming out of the consulate on Wednesday praised the services received.
“It took less than 35 to 40 minutes. The service was excellent, and it’s not the first time I’ve said this,” said Gerardo Avila Gonzalez. “It’s clear (the consulate) is an important part of our community here in El Paso.”
“They helped me a lot. They answered all my questions,” added Jose Madrid, a legal clinic participant. “They gave me good advice to fill out the documents. I feel good.”
Some of the organizations providing information include the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence and Paso del Norte Center of Hope. The law firms of Scherr Legate and Rodriguez Law Firm, as well as Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, provided attorneys.
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