Below – Carmen Stevens, Department of Justice Accredited Representative at JAMLAC, is pictured alongside Michele R. Pistone, Professor of Law at Villanova University and Founder of both the Strategic Initiative for Migrants + Refugees and VIISTA. This moment was captured during the Villanova convening, where both women shared their expertise and commitment to advocating for migrants and refugees.
JAMLAC is proud to be part of a transformative movement in immigration legal services across Colorado. Recently, our DOJ Accredited Representative, Carmen Stevens, presented at the Villanova University Convening on “Fostering an Enabling Environment to Scale the Field of Accredited Representatives and Immigrant Advocates.” The presentation highlighted Colorado’s innovative approach to building a statewide network of DOJ-accredited representatives – a collaborative model that’s garnering national attention.
This network, a partnership between JAMLAC, Catholic Charities of Denver, and the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, was established through the Office of New Americans to expand legal services across Colorado. The initiative extends from Denver to rural areas like the San Luis Valley, creating a robust knowledge-sharing and professional development community that improves access to justice statewide. The Villanova Convening in Pennsylvania was part of a broader effort to grow legal capacity and improve the ecosystem that supports justice for immigrant communities nationwide. Carmen presenting during the convening provided an important platform to share how Colorado’s network model could be replicated in other states to increase immigration legal services capacity nationwide.
The Colorado DOJ Accredited Representatives Network comprises approximately 25 to 30 dedicated individuals from various organizations across the state. United by a shared vision, these representatives work tirelessly to ensure every immigrant, regardless of location, has access to quality legal representation. The network focuses on centralizing resources, fostering professional development, and building a collaborative community to better serve migrants and refugees. As more representatives work toward partial and full accreditation, the network continues to expand, bringing vital legal support to immigrant families throughout Colorado. Carmen, and JAMLAC are committed to this mission, and we invite others to join us in expanding access to justice.
“It has been truly inspiring to witness the establishment of the Network and connect with dedicated representatives across Colorado. Together, we are building a community where we can support, mentor, and share resources to better serve our immigrant and refugee neighbors. Having the opportunity to represent Colorado’s innovative approach at the Villanova Convening demonstrated how our state’s collaborative model could inspire similar initiatives nationwide.”
If you or someone you know needs legal assistance, please seek out one of the incredible organizations involved in this important work:
- Catholic Charities of Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo
- Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center (Durango)
- Connect Immigration (Gypsum)
- Hispanic Affairs Project (Grand Junction)
- Immigrant Hope – Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs)
- Immigrant Hope – Greeley (Greeley)
- Immigrant Legal Center of Boulder County (Boulder)
- Integrated Community (Steamboat Springs)
- International Rescue Committee (Denver)
- Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center (Denver)
- Littleton Immigrant Resources Center (Littleton)
- Mountain Dreamers (Frisco)
- Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (Westminster)
- San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center (Alamosa)
- Voces Unidas for Justice (Colorado Springs)
We are incredibly grateful to the Office of New Americans, and all these organizations for their continued dedication and collaboration in this fight for justice. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of migrants and refugees across our state.