Strengthening and Humanizing Our Justice System
Those who know Melissa describe her as an excellent immigration attorney and devoted ally for the vulnerable immigrant communities of Washington. We received a few letters attesting to Melissa’s dedication to access to justice, a dedication that shines through in everything she does.
Lesley Hoare writes, “I first met Melissa Campos in 2008, when she was an immigration attorney at Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. At that time, Border Patrol was starting to make a presence in Forks and detaining our community members. We were organizing as a community and documenting those abuses while also trying to help people navigate the system. Melissa was a lawyer in the legal orientation program at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) and we were connected with her to help locate a community member who was being held at NWDC. This was the first of many visits with our detained community members and the start of a relationship that has lasted 15 years!
“Melissa has always been an amazing ally and advocate for our group, el Comite de Derechos Humanos de Forks, and our community. She has gone out of her way to find the best solution and be honest and upfront with our community members. In times of panic and fear, she was a reliable, calming force whom we knew we could count on. She was an invaluable source of information and help for our community and has remained an ally since 2008.
“Over the years, she has done consults with our community members in the detention center, workshops in Forks, and has made herself available to answer questions and provide guidance to us free or charge. Having an immigration lawyer on our side and accessible to us has been invaluable over these years of organizing, especially in such a remote and isolated area.
“In 2017, Melissa started the yearly tradition of Adopt-A-Family during Christmas for immigrant families through her work at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). This first year, about 10 families were matched with volunteer immigration lawyers to receive presents. Melissa took the time to make this project personal by asking for family member sizes and wish lists. It was amazing to see the happy faces and see and feel the generosity from the legal community. AILA Adopt-A-Family returned to Forks this past Christmas for another round of gift giving. Melissa’s commitment and hard work has grown the program every year and in 2022, they were able to help 55 families, bringing several trailers and cars full of gifts out to our remote town. It’s quite a thing to see since we are so rural and often feel disconnected.
“There are few allies like Melissa who really stay by our side over the years and whom we know we can depend on. It’s invaluable! Melissa has connected with our community in a way that few others have. She reminds us we are not alone, and we know that she will keep fighting with us, as long as we keep going. Melissa is a wonderful human being, and we are grateful and lucky to know her.”
Luz Metz adds, “I met Melissa several years ago when she contacted me to verify whether an advertisement company she was planning to use was good or not. I was happy to share my experience with them with her. We continued emailing each other and finally met in person when a mutual friend introduced us. Melissa and I became good friends and have participated in different professional events, particularly in a play. (Yes, we did a play together!)
“The play is called The Detention Lottery, and was written by Margaret O’Donnell. Detention is about what happens to people who are detained in removal proceedings. It was a lot of fun doing the play together and we performed at many venues, including churches and schools around Washington. Melissa played the role of a private immigration attorney who would go into the detention center and consult with people about their cases. Sometimes the news she had to give was not positive, but she played the part wonderfully well, because this is what she is devoted to in her real life — making access to justice her priority and connecting with people in a compassionate and effective way. Unfortunately, the play’s run was interrupted by the pandemic, but hopefully, we will have the opportunity to perform it again soon.
“As for Melissa, well, she stands out for her kindness, generosity, compassion, professionalism, and dedication to improving and humanizing the practice of law. Melissa has volunteered hundreds of hours via the AILA Pro Bono Committee to help immigrant families in need. Rain and snow have never stopped Melissa from going to the farthest corners in Washington to deliver Christmas presents from the AILA community to impoverished immigrants, or providing legal representation to families in desperate need of it. Melissa gets so much joy seeing the smiles and happy faces when they receive their presents or become legal residents in this country.
“Melissa’s dedication to immigrants and the practice of immigration law has made her many friends, strengthened and humanized our system of justice, and made our society more equitable. I am one of thousands of Washington immigrants lucky to call Melissa a friend.”
Hear! Hear! Friends, please join us in celebrating Melissa and her inspiring work.
