Court Interpreters' Lobby Day

With assistance from CWA, interpreters Ismail Charania of Norcross, Ga., and Clariselle Ocasio of Connecticut, (second left and right), visited lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for better working conditions for all immigration court interpreters. The government is currently providing interpretation services through a low-road contractor, SOS International ("SOSi"). SOSi's employment practices have led to a shortage of qualified interpreters, which has increased the burden on immigration judges and ultimately costs the courts more money. Charania and Ocasio spoke with staff members of Sen. Murphy (CT), Rep. Keith Ellison (MN), and John Lewis (GA).