Lack of Legal Services in Immigrant's Native Languages Leads to Double Exclusion

There's a growing issue affecting many immigrants from Central America: language barriers in immigration proceedings. Indigenous languages like Mam and Q'anjob'al have become increasingly prominent in immigration courts, posing a significant challenge for those seeking asylum due to violence in their home communities.

Many indigenous immigrants face a double exclusion, first from the violence and persecution that forced them to flee their home countries, and then from a legal system that lacks the linguistic and cultural capacity to serve them.

SJC has been at the forefront of addressing this challenge. Our staff includes native Mam speakers and certified interpreters who can communicate directly with clients in their own language. This isn't just about translation, it's about trust, understanding, and ensuring that every client's story is heard accurately and completely.

"When a client can speak to their attorney in their own language, the quality of representation transforms," says SJC staff. "Details that would be lost in translation become the foundation of a strong case."

SJC provides legal services in English, Spanish, Mam, and Q'anjob'al, and continues to expand its capacity to serve indigenous language speakers from Guatemala, Mexico, and other Central American countries.