Legal services (resource page)

We understand the challenges that come with finding a trustworthy immigration lawyer and affordable legal services. Not only can the process feel overwhelming, but dealing with a topic as sensitive as immigration brings on additional worries that justify a cautious search for help. On this resource page, we have compiled a variety of resources and information for college students who are undocumented or come from mixed-status families.

Please keep in mind that this resource page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional legal advice. It is important to consult with an experienced and trustworthy immigration representative or attorney to receive answers and support for specific legal questions. Additionally, the information provided is current to the publication of this resource page. Please be sure to verify any authenticity and trustworthiness of links prior to connecting with any resource.

In this page, you can find more information about the following:

Common Terminology

General definitions

Non-citizen: Individuals living in the U.S. who are not U.S. Citizens or nationals
Entry Without Inspection: Entering the U.S. without permission from Customs and Border Patrol. Also sometimes referred to as an “unlawful entry”.
Undocumented: An individual living in the U.S. without any type of lawful immigration status.
Lawful Permanent Resident- Commonly referred to as a “green card holder”: A citizen of another country that has been legally authorized to live, work, and travel in the U.S. as long as they remain eligible.
Naturalized Citizen: An eligible lawful permanent resident who after living in the U.S. for a certain time, applies for and is granted U.S. citizenship.
Mixed Status Family: A family composed of members that hold different citizenship or immigration statuses. Some common examples include undocumented parents with U.S.-born children or undocumented children with a parent who is a legal permanent resident
DREAMers: Undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children and hold certain immigration protections. The name comes from the DREAM Act, which has been introduced in Congress several times to provide a pathway to citizenship for eligible undocumented young adults but has not been passed.
UndocuAlly: A supportive ally to the undocumented immigrant community.
UndocuFriendly: Institutions that have policies, systems, and resources specifically designed to support undocumented immigrants.
Immigration-Impacted: General term to identify an individual who has been directly or indirectly impacted by immigration status, laws, policies, legislation, or enforcement.

Visas and Statuses/Protections

Immigrant Visas: Visas granted to eligible non-U.S. citizens/nationals allowing them to live and work here.
DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: A federal program that provides temporary and limited protection, such as the ability to have a social security number, work permit, and protection from deportation to eligible undocumented youth and young adults who were brought to the U.S. at a certain age.
Advanced Parole: A USCIS-issued travel document allowing certain eligible non-immigrants to travel outside of the U.S. for a pre-approved period.
SJIS – Special Juvenile Immigrant Status: A type of immigration protection for eligible undocumented youth in the U.S. who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent.
TPS – Temporary Protected Status: Conditional and limited protections to eligible immigrants that cannot safely return to their country for a variety of extraordinary and temporary conditions. To learn what countries have current TPS designation, visit USCIS’s official list “Temporary Protected Status”.
Trafficking Victims Protection Act: A three-part law focused on protecting trafficking victims, preventative methods for limiting further acts of trafficking, and prosecuting perpetrators and ensuring penalties are strengthened accordingly. Immigration protections closely related to trafficking and victims:
- T Visa: Allows eligible victims of human trafficking to remain in the U.S. during the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrator.
- U Visa: Available for eligible victims of certain crimes who have collaborated with law enforcement or government officials in an investigation and prosecution of the perpetrator/crime.
- VAWA- Violence Against Women Act: Law allowing certain eligible noncitizens to independently petition for themselves for immigrant classification without the abuser’s knowledge, consent, or participation in the immigration process.

Government/Immigration Agencies

USCIS – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Federal agency whose primary role is to process immigration-based applications.
CBP – U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Federal agency responsible in part for customs in airports and enforcement at the U.S. physical borders and within 100 miles.
ICE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Federal agency responsible for enforcement and removal operations (ERO), Homeland Security investigations, and other programs.
DHS – Department of Homeland Security: Umbrella agency that houses 24 sub-agencies including USCIS, CBP, and ICE.

Accessing Legal Services on College and University Campuses

As a college student, your campus might be a great starting point to identifying trusted resources. This is because some colleges and universities across the country have a designated center or staff person that specifically serve undocumented and immigrant students and may be able to point them in the right direction to find a trustworthy lawyer.

“ […] the office is dedicated to students that are undocumented, students with DACA status, students from mixed-status famil[ies]. We have different events where lawyers come in to talk about opportunities, or how to go through legal cases or immigration cases.”
Omar, an undocumented college student in Illinois

Even if your campus doesn’t have a center or staff member who specifically works with immigrant and undocumented students, see if your campus has a multicultural center or international student center. The staff who work in these centers may have good recommendations for legal services. It is also helpful to note that some campuses have their own legal services, some might partner with nonprofits to offer legal services, and some have law schools that might host legal clinics that you can go to for support or referrals.

Spotlight of legal services on college campuses

There are a variety of college campuses around the country that, with the partnerships and resources available to them, take their advocacy for undocumented students to another level by providing free or low-cost legal services to their campus communities. Take the following campuses for example: The City University of New York provides legal services to their students, which includes free consultations and application assistance for a variety of case types. The Harvard Law School has a Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic that provides pro-bono representation to the Harvard community. Georgetown Law has an Immigration Clinic that represents clients from around the world on immigration law matters. The University of Texas at Austin School of Law has an Immigration Clinic that provides legal services to low-income communities. And the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s Immigration Clinic has expanded its services to provide free legal services to the campus community. These are just a few examples of legal services on a college campus. Check to see if the campus that you are attending or planning on attending offers services like these!

Spotlight on California

The official University of California (UC) website has a guide to easily identify undocumented student resources/campus support on a specific UC campus. The UC System specifically provides UC Undocumented Student Resources where UC undocumented students of all backgrounds can find a safe and supportive community. Each UC campus offers various programs, including academic counseling, financial aid, and legal advising, to help enroll students. Connect with designated staff and student groups for guidance and a peer network. Specific campus support: At UCLA the Undocumented Student Program (USP) at the Bruin Resource Center supports UCLA’s undocumented and mixed-status family students through individual support, education, and campus advocacy, ensuring academic, wellness, and emotional assistance while fostering an inclusive and supportive community. At UC Davis, the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center offers free immigration legal services to students enrolled at a UC campus.

The official California State University (CSU) website also has a guide to easily identify undocumented student resources/campus support on a specific CSU campus. Specific partnerships: The Immigrant Legal Defense has an Immigration Legal Services Project that provides free legal services through a variety of CSU campuses. To see what campuses have these services available and to make an appointment, click here. Additionally, as part of CHIRLA’s comprehensive legal department, the CHIRLA Student Legal Services offers essential legal representation to the community. Services are offered across California including, California State University, Chico, Humboldt State University, California State University, Sacramento, California State University, Sonoma, and more. Lastly, Jewish Family Services offer the Higher Education Legal Services program where they provide free legal services to students, staff, faculty, and immediate family members of those in connection to CSU San Marcos and San Diego State University

The official California Community College (CCC) website that has a guide to easily identify undocumented student resources/campus support on a specific campus. Specific partnerships: The Immigrant Legal Defense has an Immigration Legal Services Project that provides free legal services through a variety of CCC campuses. To see what campuses have these services available and to make an appointment, click here. Additionally, as part of CHIRLA’s comprehensive legal department, the CHIRLA Student Legal Services offers essential legal representation to the community. In partnership with Find Your Ally, you can identify free immigration legal services and case support available to students, staff, and faculty at California community colleges, both on campus and virtually.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also commonly known as DACA, is a federal program that provides temporary and limited protection, such as the ability to have a social security number, work permit, and protection from deportation to eligible undocumented youth and young adults who were brought to the U.S. at a certain age. Since 2017, DACA has remained in limbo due to several states trying to end its protections. As a result, only current DACA holders can renew their status at the moment, no first-time DACA applications are being processed, and the future of DACA remains unknown (United We Dream 2023). Please note that DACA on its own does not grant its recipients permanent lawful status or a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

DACA renewal and financial assistance

Although we understand the process may continue to seem overwhelming, there are a variety of resources that can help individuals who are seeking to renew their DACA. For example- Informed Immigrant’s Find DACA Help Near You includes a map search engine that can be filtered by zip code, state, and service type. Services that can be found through this site are ongoing legal, DACA, and advance parole-related services. Homeishere.us also has a DACA Renewal Directory that provides information to DACA renewal clinics and help by state. Voto Latino connects DACA recipients with pro bono legal counsel through the UndocuNeighbor initiative. World Relief offers DACA renewal services to income-eligible individuals.

In partnership with a variety of organizations, United We Dream has a DACA renewal fund that aims to ensure that unexpected expenses don’t prevent DACA recipients from renewing their DACA. If you were born in Mexico and have DACA, Mexican Consulates may also be able to assist with DACA renewal applications. United We Dream has compiled a list of Mexican Consulates in the U.S. by state.

California specific resources

If you live in California, you may consider searching through the ACLU of Southern California’s page that is dedicated to resources for DACA renewal applications such as organizations and legal service providers that have previously provided free DACA renewal application services and/or financial assistance towards DACA renewal applications. *Please note that the information may be outdated, however it is an indicator of what organizations or legal service providers you could check out for additional information. You can also refer to the State of California- Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Social Services that has a list of qualified non-profit organizations funded by the California Department of Social Services. They may offer legal services to low-income individuals, specifically for their DACA renewals.Additionally, the California Community College DACA Assistance Fund is a program for students attending eligible partner California colleges. Students can have a free legal consultation and may be able to receive DACA filing fee assistance. And, available to Dream.US Scholars who live, work, study, or have another major connection to the City of San Francisco, the Mission Asset Fund provides scholarships to help with renewal application fees. If an application is approved, the applicant receives two checks totaling $605 to send to USCIS along with their completed DACA application. Please note however that funding is limited, and individuals need to pre-apply. Please note that “services are not guaranteed.”

Funding and services vary across organizations so it is important to contact the specific organization(s) directly to inquire about their current offerings and eligibility requirements.

Helpful information on DACA renewals and what You should know about DACA

You can also explore helpful tips for renewing your DACA work permit with guidance from U.S. Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS). United We Dream created documents with information on Lending Circles for DACA which are community-based and unique forms of social loans where a group of people come together to pool their money, and then take turns receiving the loan payment. Lending circles often offer 0% interest and $0 fee loans within 48 hours of application. And, Informed Immigrant provides tips on how to fund your DACA renewal such as asking your employer to cover the cost of the renewal fee or reaching out to your house of worship if you are a member of a faith group. The ILRC DACA Toolbox and United We Dream provide FAQs and information following the September 2023 Federal District Court ruling in Texas that declared DACA unlawful and halted the processing of first-time DACA applications.

The benefits of DACA

If you are interested in diving deeper into the benefits of DACA since its inception, the following studies and articles can be a good starting point. The Immigration Initiative at Harvard released a special report on The Long-Term Impact of DACA. The American Immigration Council released a publication of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): An Overview that covers topics such as the socioeconomic impact of DACA. TheDream.US published a survey report titled In Their Own Words; Breaking Barriers: The Impact of DACA and TPS on the Social Mobility of Dreamers. The Center for American Progress published a 2023 Survey of DACA Recipients that highlights economic advancement but continued uncertainty amid legal limbo. Here you can find a summary of the survey and here you can find the data. FWD.us released an article on DACA 12 years later: From students to careers and families. And the Migration Policy Institute published a report titled, “A Shrinking Number of DACA Participants Face Yet Another Adverse Court Ruling” that discusses the challenges linked to DACA following litigation that placed DACA recipients (current and prospective) in limbo.

DACA stories

DACA has evolved over the years. As of the creation of this resource page, DACA is about 12 years old and, as you may know, its path has not been linear. There are a variety of stories and experiences for those with DACA and although they are all recipients of the same [limited] protection, their stories are unique. To learn about a few stories, feel free to visit the following pages: The NILC published stories of DACA defenders following its fifth anniversary. America’s Voice has a DACA Stories Archives which has an array of reports and stories. Highlighted through AILA Blog- Highlighting the Real People in the DACA Stories, the MyAmericanDreams Film Project focuses on telling the stories of Dreamers. The University of Southern California’s Annenberg Media site has a section highlighting DACA Stories. Lastly, Immigrants Rising’s page on Films Highlighting Undocumented Experience includes links and information on featured-length and short films, many focusing on the DACAmented experience.

Advance Parole (AP)

Advance parole provides certain eligible immigrants the opportunity to travel outside of the U.S. for a pre-approved period. This includes DACA recipients whose advance parole requests are approved. It is recommended to consult with a legal representative on advance parole as reentry to the U.S. is discretionary and may not always be guaranteed.

What is advance parole?

There are resources specifically dedicated to frequently asked Advanced Parole questions such as the Immigrants Rising’s Advance Parole: Frequently Asked Questions, ILRC’s Preparing for Re-Entry After Traveling on Advance Parole page that also includes a downloadable version of the information, and Informed Immigrant’s Traveling with Advance Parole in 2024 guide that contains information on advance parole and what to expect before, during, and after traveling abroad. If you may be eligible for Advance Parole and would like to read more on it, you can also visit the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc (CLINIC) website which has an article with information to help determine when Advance Parole is an option, Boundless has an article with information on how to apply for the “Advance Parole” I-131 Application for Travel Document, and the American Immigration Council published a report on The Use of Parole Under Immigration Law that provides information on what advance parole is, who is eligible for it, and the different types of it. For those who are applying or were granted advanced parole, Immigrants Rising has an Advance Parole Travel Guide that includes, among other things, information on financial assistance/paying for trips.

Advance parole opportunities

There are a variety of organizations that have previously provided the opportunity for individuals to apply for advance parole as part of a project. For example, the Justice Action Center offered the Border Advocacy Training Project, a pilot program that involved a one-day advance parole trips for eligible DACA recipients to volunteer at a migrant shelter in Tijuana. The Arizona Dream Act Coalition previously hosted two advance parole programs, the Winter of Dreams and Summer of Dreams Study Abroad Program. Both programs provided participants with the opportunity to conduct research in Mexico. Lastly, designed specifically for Spanish-speaking faculty, college students, labor union and community leaders, religious groups and Dreamers from anywhere in the U.S., the California-Mexico Studies Center hosted an Independent Dreamers and Chicanos Study Abroad Program (IDSAP) in the Fall of 2023. As a disclaimer, many times there are limited capacities and a small/short application window for these opportunities and programs, if they are currently offered. It is helpful to be on the lookout for information including deadlines and specific application requirements.

Advance parole stories

Immigrants Rising shared audio recordings on Advance Parole: Weighing the Benefits and Risks. United We Dream shared the story of an individual who went back to Mexico after their family had migrated 23 years ago. In the article, they share the 10 Things I Learned while Traveling to Mexico with Advance Parole. At My Undocumented Life, you can also read Alexis’s and Karla’s experience traveling abroad with DACA.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, most commonly known as SIJS, is a type of legal protection for eligible undocumented youth in the U.S. who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent. The Safe Passage Project and the ILRC both created helpful overviews describing the SIJS program and eligibility requirements. USCIS, which is the agency responsible for processing SIJS applications, also has an official webpage that contains information such as SJIS eligibility requirements and filing process.

As you navigate the process of determining whether you qualify for SIJS, and preparing an application (if eligible), it may be helpful to connect with a trustworthy immigration lawyer. As an additional resource for informational purposes only, the Florence Project created a helpful guide on How to Apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) particularly in the context of dealing with removal/deportation proceedings. The ILRC also has an additional helpful overview on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: A Prime For One-Parent Cases.

SIJS stories

There are a variety of reasons why someone would petition to be under the SIJS program. An unfortunate reality is that, contrary to what opposers of the program think, many apply for SIJS after “fleeing their home countries to escape gang violence or parents who abused them” (Rodriguez Calderón 2021). The process, just like most of the immigration process in the U.S., is long and requires the petitioners to follow strict and specific guidelines to ensure that they do not do anything that could jeopardize their case. With the SIJS program specifically, it is also important to note that “because of limits on how many green cards USCIS can award under the program annually, the demand has significantly outpaced the supply and caused an extraordinary backlog” (Aguilera 2021). Thefollowing are links to sites and resources that offer direct stories of experiences with applying for SIJS and also expand on the impacts of long wait times for a decision on a case: New England Justice of Our Neighbors highlights The Stories of Our Clients-Are Amazing-, with a handful of them being SIJS stories. Volunteers of Legal Service highlights SIJS Client Story: Eric M. Receives His Green Card. Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley highlights the story of one of their clients in a post titled Client Story: Nicolasa – Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). The Marshall Project has a report titled, “These Young People Were Told They Could Stay in the U.S. They Might Get Deported Anyway” that includes a few personal narratives. TIME magazine also released on article titled, “A Years- Long Immigration Backlog Puts Thousands of Abused Kids in Limbo” that also includes a few personal narratives.

Parole in Place (PiP)

Parole In Place was meant to provide temporary immigration relief through protection from deportation, work authorization, and was also expected to help certain undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to be able to apply for lawful permanent residency (a green card) without leaving the U.S. As of the creation of this resource page, the process has been placed on an indefinite hold, and the future of the PIP remains unknown.

? Parole in Place, most commonly known as PIP, is an established process already being used for military members. You can read more about it in the official USCIS site, which provides insight into Immigration Options for Family of Certain Military Members and Veterans. Recently however, a new version of PIP was introduced called Keeping Families Together: Parole in Place for Spouses. Informed Immigrant, Boundless Immigration, and the National Immigration Forum have articles that provide information on an overview of PIP: Keeping Families together such as eligibility, how to apply, and Q&As. You can also read more of the anticipated Keeping Families Together process through the official USCIS site. This will also be a good place to stay updated with the most accurate updates on PIP: Keeping Families Together. Additionally, the National Immigrant Justice Center – Know Your Rights: Parole-in-Place for Spouses and Stepchildren of US citizen was meant to remind eligible potential applicants of their rights as they related to the PIP program.

It is important to note that as of the publication of this resource page, the PIP: Keeping Families Together program has been put on pause and applications are not being processed. Refer to the following articles to learn more: Boundless Immigration – Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Biden’s Parole Program for Undocumented Families, AILA – Featured Issue: Executive Actions to Promote Family Unity, FWD.US- FWD.us Condemns Ruling Allowing Anti-Immigrant Lawsuit to Temporary Block Implementation of Keeping Families Together Program, and The ILRC recently released an advisory about what documents potential applicants can start gathering in case the Parole in Place: Keeping Families together policy begins accepting applications.

Public Charge Rule

Due to the ambiguity and confusion around the “Public Charge” rule, we recognize the importance of understanding the ins-and-outs of the rule. This can ensure you are safely accessing basic needs resources that may be available to you or your loved ones, regardless of your immigration status. That said, as with any public service, it is important to consult with a trusted legal service provider if you have concerns and doubts about seeking a specific service, and would like to learn about how it may impact your immigration status or options for relief in the future.

The ILRC has a helpful website dedicated to accessing information on Public Charge, such as guides and notices with updated information. For example, there is a community explainer on What You Need To Know About Public Charge- A summary of how public charge does – and does not – impact immigrants and their families that includes helpful information if you’re still unsure about the meaning of the public charge rule. Additionally, Informed Immigrant has a page with information on the Public Charge Rule Change such as what to expect and frequently asked questions. You can also access a screening tool by the National Immigration Law Center that helps individuals identify if a service could be considered a public charge. The following are hubs that contain more technical information on Public Charge, such as important updates: Boundless Immigration- The Public Charge Rule, CLINIC- Resources on Public Charge, and USCIS- Public Charge Resources.

The ILRC has a variety of resources and information pages in relation to 2024 Medi-Cal Expansion & Public Charge and Health Consumer Care provides general information on what Public Charge is and what people should know in relation to physical health.

Know Your Rights (KYR)

Regardless of your immigration status, it is always important to stay informed on the rights that you have.

You have rights in school! The ACLU has a few resources specifically for students such as the resource titled Your School Has No Business Checking Your Immigration Status that discusses general information that can help you know your rights in school, and the resource titled Students’ Rights that includes a variety of Q&As and downloadable resources. You have resources out of school! The ILRC has a variety of tools with general information such as Know Your Rights and What Immigrant Families Should Do Now as well as their Know Your Rights “Toolkit” where they put together educational materials such as downloadable handouts that can be used to support others and yourself if there are ever possible encounters with law enforcement. Similarly, the ACLU: Know Your Rights- Immigrants’ Rights and the ACLU Southern California: Know Your Rights (KYR) resources provide educational information that can be useful if questioned by police, FBI, customs agents, or immigration officers. You can also access a downloadable information pamphlet included in both English and Spanish. The site also provides information on what you should do if ICE agents [are] at your door, when Stopped By Federal Agents, when Stopped By An Officer, or when Encountering the Border Patrol. Additionally, the following resources feature a variety of videos as part of Raids Watch: Know Your Rights and ACLU Defender Series.

KYR workshops

You can also look forKnow Your Rights workshops to help you receive trustworthy information and advice in relation to your rights, especially as an immigrant. The following organizations are known to offer Know Your Rights workshops: Project New Yorker Know Your Rights Immigration Workshop (general information of KYR workshop importance). Civil Liberties Defense Center Know Your Rights (KYR) training. Justice Power Know Your Rights and Popular Education Programs. MACHW Workshops. National Immigration Law Center. CHIRLA. And lastly, El Centro de la Raza Know Your Rights Trainings.

KYR cards

A tool that is accessible and helpful is a KYR card. Here are a few different versions of KYR cards, with printable PDFs. Many of these sources have their own cards in various languages: Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)- Red Cards, National Immigration Law Center (NILC) Community Education Resources- Know Your Rights, and the San Diego Rapid Response Network.

Emergency safety preparedness plans

Creating an Emergency Safety Plan can help a family prepare for a potential detention or deportation. Nayeli, an undocumented college student in Pennsylvania shared about her fears of a potential family separation and how that would greatly impact her and her sibling’s livelihood, “something I think about as often is if my mom or dad were to be deported. I would have to, I would have to step in and like, take care of my siblings. Because I think about that, I’m like, what, like, we were like, forced to go back.” With a safety plan, families can discuss what to do if there is ever in an emergency, such as a parent’s detention or deportation. The following organizations each have a resource on emergency preparedness or have their own version of a safety plan that you can refer to and create with your family: CLINIC (this resource has a state-by-state listing of specific resources in the 50 States and the District of Columbia), ILRC, Immigrant Defense Project, and Informed Immigrant. You can also refer to the following government pages that provide additional information on the importance of family emergency safety planning for immigrant communities: USCIS Emergency and Safety and DHS Qualifying for FEMA Disaster Assistance: Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements.

Databases and Lists With Contact Information of Legal Service Providers and Representatives

The Executive Office for Immigration Review U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) provides a Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives Roster by State and City that maintains and publicly posts rosters of Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives. Visit the website to look at your state. And the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has a site dedicated specifically for Finding an Immigration Attorney for legal help.
Find immigration legal help on the Immigration Advocates Network’s national directory of free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal services providers.
Immi has created a search engine to connect immigrants to legal help and legal aid organizations across the U.S.
Alliance San Diego has an Immigration Attorney Referral List for individuals living in San Diego County in the state of California.
Informed Immigrant has developed a search engine to help Find Help Near You based on zip code.
The Immigration Advocates Network has a National Immigration Legal Services Directory where you can search for nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services by state, county, or detention facility.

Tips and Tricks On Finding Trusted Legal Services (databases and list may also be embedded within these resources)

California Courts Self-Help Center provides a comprehensive array of legal resources to assist with immigration-related matters.
Informed Immigrant, an online resource for immigrant communities, created a webpage called “How to Find an Immigration Lawyer” that has information about common legal terms, where to look for a good lawyer, questions to ask potential lawyers, and how to note red flags and scams.
Immigrants Rising, a nonprofit organization that works with immigrant communities, created this resource page “Getting Legal Help” that has information about finding a good immigration lawyer and how to know whether they are trustworthy.
United We Dream, a national immigrant youth-led organization, created this resource page “9 Tips to Find Good Legal Help” which has helpful information about ensuring that you find a trustworthy immigration lawyer.
The State Bar of California provides information on what you should be considering when finding help with Immigration, including information on finding trustworthy legal help and how to avoid fraud.
The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has a page dedicated to information on finding a lawyer including answers to questions such as: do I need an immigration lawyer? And how to avoid fraud? There is also a page dedicated to information on what you should expect when finding legal services such as who a legal representative is and what they are allowed to help with, and also includes a list of recognized organizations and accredited representatives. Additionally, a page dedicated to finding help in your community provides tips and lists of licensed immigration attorneys or accredited representative and community organizations all over the country.
NOLO has an article with guidelines on How to Find a Good Immigration Lawyer For Your Case.

An unfortunate but common practice within the immigration legal service realm is misrepresentation by unauthorized agents and individuals. The following are resources that can inform you of what to be careful of when looking for trusted legal services: The ILRC has a guide designed to help identify “red flags” that can potentially help avoid fraud when seeking immigration legal services. The State Bar of California has downloadable pamphlets in a few languages that provide information that can potentially help avoid fraud by immigration consultants. The State of California, Department of Justice lists tips and resources that focus specifically on immigration services fraud. AILA & The American Bar Association have a website dedicated specifically on stopping notario fraud. National Notary Association has a list of State Rules On Immigration Consulting and Assistance Services, laying out codes and regulations in connection to practicing legal service providers. American Bar Association has a guide on how to Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law, which explains what practice of law is, what unauthorized practice of law is, and helpful resources. USCIS also posted a presentation on The Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law that contains information on avoiding scams and verifying an attorney.

Legal Clinics and Organizations

There are several organizations and clinics across the country that provide helpful legal services for immigrant communities. This can include, for example, help with DACA renewal applications. Please note that some of these organizations may have limited capacity and only serve people residing within that particular city or state. Some organizations, however, may offer remote indirect services to anyone regardless of where they live. We encourage you to check their websites for specific service eligibility criteria.

Name of Organization	State/Local Location
CHIRLA	Los Angeles, California
Legal Aid Foundation Los Angeles (Long Beach)	Los Angeles, California
Immigration Law Help	Search by State
American Immigration Lawyers Association	Search by State
Find Your Ally	California
Legal Aid Society of San Diego	San Diego, California
Jewish Family Services	San Diego, California
UURISE	Vista, California
Catholic Charities USA	Nationwide
Al Otro Lado	San Diego, CA
Immigration Justice Project	Chicago, Illinois & Washington, DC
Immigration Center f or Women and Children	Los Angeles, San Diego, & San Francisco CA; Las Vegas, Nevada
CARECEN	Los Angeles
International Rescue Committee	Worldwide
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project	Washington
Puente Human Rights Movement* *Website currently under construction, for now stay connected with via IG- @puente.az	Arizona
RAICES	Texas

There are a variety of organizations that also have an active social media presence and are constantly posting updates related to changes in immigration policy and practices. Below we have highlighted a few that you might consider following via Instagram:

@UndocuChange
@unitedwedream
@caimmigrant
@undocublack
@chirla_org
@the_ilrc
@immcouncil
@nilc
@alotrolado_org
@borderkindness
@borderangels
@aclu_nationwide
@ailanational

Tools For Immigration Cases

There are a variety of tools available that can help navigate the often-complex immigration process.

Paying filing fees: ImmigrationHelp.Org provides 6 Tips To Afford USCIS Filing Fees and Boundless has an article on USCIS Fee Waivers and Reductions: A guide to fee reductions and waivers for your naturalization or green card application

Self-tracking your case: USCIS has a tool that allows you to check the status of your case online if you already have a USCIS case number provided to you (additional information on Checking Your Case Status Online). There is also a tool where you can Check Case Processing Times.

Preparing for the Naturalization Test: There is a fairly user-friendly mobile app called USCIS Civics Test Study Tool that is designated to help you study for the civics test portion of the naturalization interview. You can download it on the App Store or on the Google Play Store. Additionally, USCIS has tools to help you study for the test such as an overview of the English language test and the civics exam. You can also follow tips on finding affordable ESL and Citizenship preparation courses by searching locally in community colleges, non-profit organizations near you, or public libraries. USCIS also provides a tool that can help you find an English or Citizenship Preparation Class and Naturalization Legal Services and the International Rescue Committee has a Citizenship and Immigration Program and a variety of resources that help eligible individuals prepare for the process.

Health Care Services in Context of Immigration Relief: There are a few medical services that you may be required to seek when applying for some type of immigration relief. The official USCIS government website has a few resources such as Finding a Medical Doctor (for information) and Find a Civil Surgeon (to find a doctor near you). You can also learn more about vaccination requirements and medical exams in relation to an immigration process through a guide created by Boundless titled U.S. Visa Vaccination Requirements.

Dealing with a Detention/Deportation

“I’ve had family members who have been arrested, none of them fortunately been deported.”
Jamie, undocumented college student in California

The Vera Institute’s The Movement for Deportation Defense: Information Hub has a map that, if applicable, helps identify deportation defense programs in your region while CLINIC has a toolkit with presentation slides containing information on what to know in regards to Removal Defense. Informed Immigrant provides resources such as: Help for People in Detention or Facing Deportation, with a specific section on Asking for a Bond. Lastly, there are also resources available to help locate a loved one in a detention center. You can also visit USA.gov to find tools that can hopefully be a starting point in your effort to locate someone being detained by ICE for immigration violation or deportation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to help someone who has possibly fallen victim to an unlawful practice of law
- CLINIC has a resource for service providers that are assisting someone who may have been a victim of unauthorized practice of law.
What are the types of current immigration protections available?
- You can find the most accurate information on the current immigration protections from the USCIS official webpage.
Can someone work with another immigration legal service provider if they are currently working with one?
- Each legal service provider is different. It is generally good practice to let any new immigration attorney/legal representative you are consulting with know if you are working with anyone else though this is an individual-based decision that will require you to seek trustworthy and professional advice.
What if an attorney/legal service provider is unresponsive?
- The American Bar Association has a few FAQs on what to do if you are unhappy with your lawyer, Each state might also have additional information and/or advice on dealing with unresponsive legal providers. For example, the State of California has downloadable pamphlets in a variety of languages that provide information on what to do to resolve problems with your attorney.
How to know what are appropriate legal service charges/fees?
- To identify legal services that are within your price range, you may want to do research and identify legal service providers that may offer more affordable services. You can also check out the work of trustworthy and reliable non-profit organizations that offer free or low-cost legal services.
Should someone seek a different opinion if they were given a specific answer by one immigration attorney?
- This largely depends on your own circumstances, resources, concerns, and questions. For some, it is feasible and helpful to check in with more than one trustworthy and reliable immigration attorney for advice. Refer to the section above on Resources Guides about Finding a Trustworthy Immigration Lawyer.
How long will an immigration process take?
- Immigration processing times vary due to a variety of factors, such as the type of application, country of birth, current backlogs, and more. To learn more about processing times, visit USCIS’s webpage on Frequently Asked Questions About Processing Times.
How can someone be found if they are suspected to be in detention?
- Freedom for Immigrants has created a helpful Toolkit for anyone who may be lost in the U.S. immigration detention system. This toolkit contains links and referrals to other organizations who are committed to assisting during these challenging times.
What happens in deportation proceedings?
- There are a variety of steps associated with the deportation process. The ILRC has a guide that provides an overview of the deportation process.
Do undocumented immigrants have rights?
- Yes. Refer to the Know Your Rights (KYR) section above that can help you stay informed of the rights that you have regardless of immigration stats. Always be sure, however, that you verify the information as each state may have varying laws and policies. Also, please note that state-level immigration policies are frequently changing so it is important to stay up to date.
How to help someone who is nervous about the Public Charge Rule?
- The National Immigration Law Center has information on Public Charge with a focus on advocates of the immigrant community and what they should know to better support individuals. For those with questions about public charge when seeking medical care and services, the ILRC has a variety of resources and information pages in relation to what Public Charge is and what people should know in relation to physical health. To learn more about Public Charge, you can refer to the section above on Public Charge.

Last updated on: October 2024

Collection of resources & narrative: Gladys Guzman