Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 80
Princeton, NJ 08542

Telephone: (877) 452-5333
Contact: Patricia Fernandez-Kelly, Chair
E-mail: info@laldef.org
Website: www.laldef.org

Organization Description and Mission

The Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund was founded in 2004 by a group of activists and experienced service providers. We are the only organization currently addressing the growing demand for support and advocacy services among Latino families in Central New Jersey. We aim to improve the conditions of immigrants and thus strengthen the economic and social wellbeing of American communities. Since its foundation, LALDEF has provided services to nearly 1000 individuals and we expect to double that number by 2010.  Our members represent a cross-section of the diverse Princeton community including people from all socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. 

The issues of documentation are often cited as a major obstacle to economic and social progress as well as contributing to many of the problems faced by Latino population. To address this situation, LALDEF’s mission is two-pronged: to advocate for more humane and rational immigration laws, and to increase access to legal services and education about the legal system among Latinos, an unfilled gap in the network of social services available to this community.

Our Bienvenida (Welcome) programs facilitate the regularization of immigrant status among qualified individuals. In collaboration with Lutheran Service Ministries in Trenton, and Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, we assist applicants to fill out forms, understand bureaucratic requirements, meet deadlines, and move on to the next step in the quest for citizenship. By helping parents and their children to become viable members of U.S. society, we make a contribution to their future and the future of their neighborhoods. 

The Latino Reform Youth Council is an invaluable vehicle to confer social and educational support to Latino youngsters. The purpose of the program is to (a) teach and promote a sense of responsibility among youths, especially college students; (b) become a channel for student or community activism focused on just causes both at the local and national levels; and (c) create and provide opportunities in education, careers, politics, and the arts among Latino youngsters.

As part of LRYC, the FUTURO program is a 3-year long peer mentorship program whose purpose is to provide encouragement, advice, and other resources to Latino students as they pursue undergraduate careers.  Latinos have the lowest rates of college enrollment in the U.S. and those who make it into four-year institutions often confront major social and economic obstacles that jeopardize their success. FUTURO creates a human buffer around striving undergraduates to increase the likelihood of their graduation. LALDEF trustees and affiliates serve as mentors, hosting regular meetings and keeping up with students’ progress. 

Community and Population Served by the Organization

LALDEF’s main mission is “to secure, promote, and protect the civil rights of the Latin American community in the greater Princeton area.” LALDEF serves the Latino population, especially immigrants and low-income families, in the Princeton area.

Research Questions

• LALDEF is interested in students willing to join hands with the FUTURO program, facilitating the interaction of Latino undergraduates with mentors, investigating specific academic, social and economic needs, and monitoring the progress of Latino students in educational institutions.

• LALDEF would like a student to do a sociological survey of the immigrant population in the community. LALDEF would like the student to look at demographics, possible language barriers, neighborhoods, housing, and other statistics. The student will also conduct a needs assessment.

• LALDEF is involved in the efforts of getting in-state tuition bill passed in NJ. This would help undocumented children of immigrants receive an affordable college education and avoid the out-of-state fees imposed on them. The students would be able to enroll in higher education as in-state residents instead of as international or out-of-state residents. LALDEF would like students to gather information about the bill being passed in nine other states. What are the effects of the passed bill in these states? Has the bill been successful? How can LALDEF work to build support for the bill in NJ? What was done to help the bill get passed in these nine states? Is there anything that can be done in NJ similar to those actions? The collected data could be used by an advocacy group for these efforts.

• Another bill that the LALDEF is focusing its advocacy efforts on would allow special driving privileges for non-citizens. Recently, licensed immigrants have lost their drivers’ licenses due to measures designed to make acquiring licenses more secure put in place after the September 11 attacks. LALDEF would students to research and collect data on statistics such as increase in accidents, number of uninsured drivers, and other factors. Has there been a change between the statistics from before and after the measures were put in place? How can LALDEF work to build support for the bill?

• The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act was introduced by a bi-partisan group of Members of Congress headed by Sens. McCain (R) and Kennedy (D) regarding the ability of immigrants to reunite with families and reduce illegal immigration. The legislation calls for a legalization program for those with demonstrated US work histories as well as a new nonimmigrant skilled worker program. This bill covers a broad area and may take several years to pass. Another immigration reform bill has been announced by Senator John Cronyn, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. LALDEF would like students to research what is being done in regards to immigration legislation reform. What is the general feeling around the country? What similar reforms have been passed elsewhere in the world? What have been the effects of the reforms passed in these countries? How can LALDEF work to build support for the comprehensive reform?

• LALDEF would like a student to work on a cost-benefit analysis on immigration in developed countries. The International Office of Immigration (IOM) has recently issued a study on international migration and its impact on developed countries. Information on the study can be found at http://www.iom.int/iomwebsite/Publication/ServletSearch Publication?event=detail&id =4171. LALDEF would like students to look at the study and write an unbiased, comprehensive academic paper on the impact of immigration in the U.S. Students would gather and compile data into a document that may be put out for publication. What are the economic, social, and cultural aspects? What would happen to the US without immigrants? LALDEF would also like projections about the future. What will be the number of immigrants in the future? What effect will this have? How many children are children of immigrants? This information would be used to tie in to LALDEF’s efforts in educating public opinion and advocacy among policy makers.

• LALDEF is in the process of getting certified as a legal aid organization. LALDEF is interested in working with students interested in transforming a Princeton student-produced fact sheet about immigrants in the United States for politicians into the basis for the creation of a legal advocacy clinic.

• In order to successfully implement the Bienvenida Program, LALDEF needs students who can give their time and assist immigrants who are already in the process of applying for citizenship fill out forms, understand the bureaucratic process, etc.

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