A Vancouver woman who missed a court date necessary for her visa found herself in a conundrum that affects many immigrants who live here.
Unlike in criminal court, those going through immigration proceedings aren’t entitled to a court-appointed lawyer at government expense. And, until recently, Vancouver residents have fallen through cracks in the legal aid system.
“Since I entered the country, I’ve been going to court. Normally, when I’ve gone to court, I haven’t had legal representation, neither private nor nonprofit,” the woman said speaking in Spanish, translated to English through an app…