Project Overview
The purpose of the Community College Immigration Legal Services program is to provide free immigration legal services, including education and outreach services, to students, staff, and faculty on California community college campuses statewide.
The State of California’s 2018-19 Budget provided an initial $10 million investment for the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to administer and implement immigration legal services at California community colleges. The initial investment allowed CDSS to fund nine legal service providers to serve 65 colleges. The 2020-21 provided an $10 million to expand the program over the next year. CDSS is partnering with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Foundation for California Community Colleges to ensure students, staff, and faculty at these colleges are able to access free immigration legal services.
For more information about how to access services, please reach out to the legal service provider in your area.
Free Immigration Services
Free immigration legal services are available to students, staff and faculty affiliated with the Community Colleges. Priority for services is given to undocumented students, staff and faculty. The immigration legal service providers offering services at the 65 campuses have developed scheduling, intake, and reporting processes that ensure student information remains confidential and protected. While all legal providers offer legal consultations and basic immigration benefit application assistance, some providers may offer additional services.
Schedule a Legal Consult appointment
Basic immigration legal assistance includes:
- Legal Consultations to Screen for Immigration Relief
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewals
- Family-based petitions
- Naturalization/Citizenship applications
Education and Outreach activities (e.g. webinars) cover topics such as:
- Avoiding fraudulent legal services
- Know Your Rights Presentations (KYR)
- Family Preparedness/Childcare Safety Plans
- Public Charge information
Services not currently funded (referrals may be provided):
- Removal Defense
- Asylum Applications
DACA Filing Fee Assistance Fund
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has created a $3 million Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) filing fee assistance fund for individuals across the California Community Colleges. The fund will cover the $495 DACA application filing fees for students, faculty and staff affiliated with a California community college.
Higher Ed. Legal Services Project
