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IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER

Working with and educating immigrants, community organizations, and the legal sector to help build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people
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Local Policy Interventions for Protecting Immigrants

Local policies are the main drivers of policing, prosecution, and the deportation machine. This resource provides examples of effective policy language localities can use to protect community members.
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Issues/Areas of Expertise

Asylum
Citizenship and Naturalization
Civic Participation
Community Resources
Crimes
DACA
Detention
Enforcement
Family-Based
Immigrant Youth
LGBT
Policy Advocacy
Post-Conviction Relief
Prosecutors
Public Charge
Removal Defense
U Visa/T Visa/VAWA

Projects and Networks

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Immigrant Justice Network

The Immigrant Justice Network (IJN) engages in advocacy, education, technical assistance, training, communications, and litigation to address the needs of those caught in the intersection of the criminal justice and immigration systems.
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New Americans Campaign

The New Americans Campaign (NAC), a project of the ILRC, is a nonpartisan, groundbreaking national network of legal-service providers, faith-based organizations, businesses, foundations and community leaders that is paving a better road to citizenship.
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Collective Freedom Project

The Collective Freedom Project tells the stories of the local efforts where people — both U.S. citizens and non U.S. citizens — came together to fight unique campaigns against criminalization in their communities.
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United Coalition for Immigrant Services

United Coalition for Immigrant Services is a partnership between two collaboratives comprising 16 organizations that provide free and low-cost immigration legal services to children, families, and older adults in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

Latest Items

Toolkit & Reports
Resources

Immigration Relief Toolkit for Criminal Defenders
Publication Date
12/10/2024
Many noncitizen defendants are already deportable (“removable”). This includes all undocumented people, as well as lawful permanent residents (green card-holders) who have become deportable because of a conviction. If immigration authorities find these people – which is likely to happen – they will be deported unless they are granted some kind of immigration relief.   For these defendants, staying eligible to apply for immigration relief is their most important immigration goal, and may be their highest priority in the criminal defense.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Community Resource on Freedom of Information Act Requests
Publication Date
06/05/2025
The Freedom of Information Act is a law that established the right of public access to certain executive branch information from the federal government. This step-by-step guide helps advocates and community members better understand how to make such requests to attain data about themselves or others from USCIS.
Practice Advisory
Resources

Immigration Consequences of Prop 36 and Other New California Offenses: Part One, Controlled Substance Offenses
Publication Date
06/03/2025
This advisory discusses the immigration consequences of a conviction for a controlled substance offense under California Prop 36, specifically Cal. H&S Code § 11395. This advisory explains the immigration consequences of a criminal plea to a Prop 36 controlled substance offense. It outlines criminal defense strategies for defenders to avoid these pleas and outlines removal defense strategies for immigration practitioners where the plea cannot be avoided.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Know Your Rights Business Signage (English/Español)
Publication Date
06/02/2025
Let ICE know that you’re aware of your rights!

The ILRC has prepared free, downloadable signs to help you let your local communities know that you stand with them! Tell ICE that you are prepared to defend your guests, patrons, students, patients, or clients from unlawful entry or intimidation.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Protections Against Immigration Enforcement From Court Orders
Publication Date
05/27/2025
Given the Trump administration’s vow to carry out mass deportations, ICE has already expanded its enforcement actions and gotten increasingly aggressive about its tactics. But advocates should be aware that there are legal protections against these abuses of power. These protections from unfair and unlawful actions come from court battles that have been litigated and won. Knowledge is power and knowing these cases will be a powerful tool to have if ICE oversteps and violates immigrant’s rights.
Practice Advisory
Resources

Gonzalez v. ICE Advisory for Criminal Defense Attorneys
Publication Date
05/20/2025
Step by step explanation for criminal defense counsel of how to identify ICE detainers that may be issued in violation of the Gonzalez v. ICE class action. This class action settlement applies nation-wide to limit ICE’s issuance of detainers. This advisory walks through the basics of the case and how to monitor and respond to any violations of the settlement.

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