Noncitizens often face a legal labyrinth

BY MICHAEL BOOTH

GAZETTE-TIMES REPORTER

When Teri Stamsos moved into her law school friend's law office in Corvallis last month, she became only the second attorney in Benton County practicing immigration law.

After working in Portland during the week and returning home to Eugene on weekends for five years, Stamsos was looking for a change. She found it in the law office of Jennifer Nash and Nicolas Ortiz at 615 N.W. Jackson Ave.

Nash is the head of the defense consortium, a group of seven local attorneys who represent indigent clients under a contract with the state. She's also Stamsos' friend from law school.

Despite the fact that the nearest U.S. Immigration Court is in Portland, Stamsos said she saw the advantages of locating her practice in a smaller city.

"I have the chance to know the immigrant community here," Stamsos said. "It's not like Portland, where I'm sitting in a high-rise office building. Here, I could run into my clients on the way to lunch or coffee."

Stamsos also saw an opportunity to fill a need in Corvallis. The next nearest immigration attorney - and the only other one she knows of in the county - is Win Eaton of Philomath.

Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson said immigration law is a specialty that has not been available in the mid-valley, which has an effect on criminal justice issues ranging from representing university students from foreign countries to domestic disputes involving noncitizens.

"We are really fortunate to have someone with this specialty in our community," Haroldson said.

Stamsos, 49, said that she decided to specialize in immigration because she's always had an interest in social justice issues.

"I knew I was going to work with people who are vulnerable," she said.

Ortiz said Stamsos is a good addition to their practice in criminal law and family law.

For instance, in cases where an abused wife may have a pending immigration application, she might be afraid to involve the authorities, fearing deportation. In such cases, the Violence Against Women Act can sometimes can be applied to seek legal immigration status.

Stamsos said that part of her job involves confronting the many common misconceptions about immigrants.

"The people I deal with are good, solid people," Stamsos said. "They are not here to hurt anyone. Where they came from, there was desperation, poverty and horrible conditions."

Most immigration law involves navigating a confusing labyrinth of piecemeal legislation that only comprehensive reform can cure, she said. So far, the issue has been treated as a political hot-button that no one is willing to push.

After Sept. 11, 2001, Stamsos said those eligible to apply for legal status were afraid to seek help. But the process of legalization can take a long time, often causing well-intentioned people to slip into illegal status.

"I've had clients with unusual situations from Great Britain and Bulgaria," Stamsos said. "It's not just Latinos … There are real issues that people face. They may have a case for legal status, but people in the immigrant community are frightened right now. They're just waiting for the storm to pass."