Guatemalan Foreign Ministry Launches Public
Outreach Program in U.S.
The Foreign Ministry of Guatemala today
launched a public outreach program to inform
Guatemalan nationals in the United States of
its free legal assistance program, "Global
Justice" and an easy to access, speedy and
groundbreaking internet system --
www.palmigua.com -- to reach Guatemalans in
need of legal support in the United States.
Global Justice was launched last year to
assist Guatemalans on legal issues
confronted daily in the United States -- who
have been arrested, have immigration issues,
have suffered injuries, civil rights
violations or other issues which require
legal assistance. Since its launch, "Global
Justice" has provided guidance to over
twenty thousand Guatemalans regarding their
legal rights.
Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Haroldo Rodas
Melgar says the program will provide speedy
assistance to Guatemalans facing legal
issues in the U.S. and has appointed the
U.S. law firm of Chavez & De Leon, P.A. to
assist in all cases to assure consistency
and timeliness on legal problems confronting
Guatemalans. "I urge Guatemalan nationals in
the U.S. who face legal issues to get in
touch with the closest Guatemala General
Consulate for legal assistance or go to our
website to be informed of their legal rights
confronting immigrants. Our team of expert
lawyers and staff of the Global Justice
Program will provide free assistance on
legal matters to Guatemalan nationals on
issues they face," said Mr. Rodas.
During the first year, the Global Justice
program has assisted in more than one
thousand immigration law consultations on
civil and criminal cases, family separation
and reunification matters, wage theft,
private deportations, human rights
violation, accidents, and other matters
confronting immigrants in this country.
"Our attorneys of Global Justice will attend
all consultations relevant to matters
impacting the rights of immigrants and
provide effective assistance in all cases to
protect their rights and guarantee due
process," added Mr. Rodas.
Among the most high-profile cases handled by
Global Justice is that of Guatemalan Maria
Luis who was living in Nebraska. Ms. Luis
was deported from the U.S., while she
simultaneously lost custody of her children
who were put up for adoption in the U.S. as
a result of her detention and deportation.
The prompt intervention of the Guatemalan
Foreign Relations Ministry, via their
consular representatives, and Global
Justice, successfully resulted in a landmark
Nebraska Supreme Court decision overturning
a lower court termination of her parental
rights because of her deportation. In a
unanimous decision, the Nebraska Supreme
Court reunited Ms. Luis with her children
and set legal precedence in family
separation cases. Just this week, on
December 14, Maria Luis arrived in Nebraska
to join her children.
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