Column: Dignity and Justice require no green card or visa
Diego Conde
Diego Conde
Attorney-at-Law
I have dedicated this column to the discussion of legal topics that affect our Hispanic community. One of the questions that more frequently arises is the access to justice for undocumented people in Oregon.
In 2006, 12 million people were estimated to be in the United States without proper documentation or authorization. That number has certainly increased since then. Those lawyers that, like me, have the privilege to assist the Hispanic community are always ready to face a situation where the client has not yet obtained his or her legal status. The fundamental question is: Do those clients have the right to sue in Oregon courts? The answer is: Yes.
Every person, local or foreign, citizen or not, has a right to sue for damages caused by the fault or negligence of others. Medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, and slip and fall victims, among others, have the right to demand compensation for their injuries regardless of their immigration status.
The U.S. Constitution guarantees its rights to all persons within the U.S. jurisdiction, not only its citizens or legal aliens. Dignity and justice require no green cards or visas.
Of course, every case is particular and it’s of the utmost importance to consult your specific situation with a lawyer. To contact a Hispanic or Spanish-speaking attorney, call the Oregon Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 800-452-7636, or call my office at 971-373-8920. You can also visit www.osbar.org or www.condelawgroup.com.
Diego Conde is Hispanic, fully bilingual, and licensed to practice law in the State of Oregon. He serves the communities of Portland, Gresham, and other cities in the counties of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington.
Este artículo también está disponible en / This post is also available in: Spanish
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Posted by julie
on Feb 2 2012. Filed under Local, Local News.
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