Resources
Publication Date
03/16/2022
On March 7, 2022, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new policy that applies to young people who have been granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) but are not yet able to become a green card holder because they are waiting for a visa to be available (“the visa backlog”). The new policy, which goes into effect May 6, 2022, provides for young people stuck in the visa backlog to be granted deferred action, which will allow them to apply for work authorization. This guide addresses some questions the community may have about this recent change.
Resources
Publication Date
04/14/2022
Currently, individuals who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) can request and travel with Advance Parole. DACA recipients can request Advance Parole for humanitarian, employment, and education reasons. To qualify, DACA recipients will need to demonstrate that their need to travel falls within one of these categories. This community resource provides an overview of travel with Advance Parole and gives some examples of what may qualify.
Resources
Publication Date
02/21/2024
In California, there are several state and local programs that help California families, including immigrants, meet their basic needs. These programs often play an important role by extending benefits to immigrants who are not eligible for federal benefit programs. This resource gives an overview of some of the public benefits that are available to immigrants in California to access education, healthcare, food assistance, and other important necessities.
Resources
Publication Date
08/31/2022
On August 30, 2022, the Biden Administration issued a new rule on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that will incorporate DACA into the Federal Regulations. Since its announcement, several questions have been raised around who can access DACA now and what it means for all those first-time applicants who are waiting to obtain DACA. This community resource outlines key points for you to keep in mind as you navigate access to DACA now and when the rule goes into effect on October 31, 2022.
Resources
Publication Date
02/22/2024
Many undocumented immigrants are now eligible for Medi-Cal. Starting January 1, 2024, full-scope Medi-Cal is available to all income-eligible Californians, regardless of immigration status or age.
This bilingual, two-sided flyer is meant to provide a quick overview of eligibility and key notes regarding the healthcare benefit. Included are also links for identifying registration directories as well as a national directory for free or low-cost immigration legal services.
This bilingual, two-sided flyer is meant to provide a quick overview of eligibility and key notes regarding the healthcare benefit. Included are also links for identifying registration directories as well as a national directory for free or low-cost immigration legal services.
Resources
Publication Date
09/26/2022
This one-page guide provides an overview of Prosecutorial Discretion and how it can be applied when someone has come in contact with ICE.
Video
This resource is ideal for individuals who work directly with the immigrant community to raise awareness about immigration provider fraud prevention. In this one-hour video, staff attorney Erin Quinn discusses protections available under California law and how to present information about immigration provider fraud at a community meeting.
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This free recorded webinar will arm immigration advocates with the information they need to help immigrant families make a plan for their children if they are unable to care for them due to detention and/or deportation. It will feature California experts on alternate care arrangements for children, including the Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit, Probate Guardianship, and informal arrangements for care.
Video
During the COVID-19 pandemic, with shelter-in-place orders and social distancing protocols, it has become more difficult to reach the immigrant community to share information about immigration policies and access to resources. At the same time, given the economic devastation of COVID-19 for many immigrant families, it has never been more important to talk about what supportive services immigrants can obtain and how accessing services may or may not impact immigration legal opportunities in the United States.
Video
At this critical time when hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the streets to affirm that Black Lives Matter, the right to join in any type of protest is critical to a functioning democracy. Whether you are calling out institutional racism, police brutality, or ICE, this webinar will provide special considerations for noncitizens thinking about participating in protests. In particular, we will provide information on best practices for noncitizen protesters, potential immigration consequences stemming from a criminal arrest or charges, and how immigrant rights work intersects with the Black Lives Matter movement.
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The UndocuBlack Network is connecting potential Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) applicants with vital information to ensure that as many individuals as possible apply before the December 2021 deadline. This webinar will detail special considerations for attorneys representing LRIF applicants, including the LRIF adjustment eligibility criteria, how to screen clients, and practice tips for filing successful applications. We will also briefly cover how to file a FOIA so that applicants and advocates are well-informed about an individual’s immigration history. You’ll also have a chance to hear the first-hand experience of a successful applicant and learn about important areas of continuing policy advocacy for practitioners and advocates alike.
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In the first of a three-part Immigration Issues Explored series, ILRC Founder and General Counsel, Bill Ong Hing facilitated a conversation with staff attorney and immigrant-youth specialist, Rachel Prandini on the state of immigrants seeking asylum at the southern border, how the Biden Administration is continuing the inhuman treatment of asylees and what the ILRC is doing to push back.
Resources
In ILRC’s A Platform for Immigrant Justice: Executive Action the Biden Administration Must Enact we outline bold, urgent and necessary policy solutions the Biden administration must enact to ensure immigration benefits are more equitable and accessible and that the work of dismantling the oppressive systems of enforcement, detention and surveillance begins.
Resources
Publication Date
12/15/2022
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has created opportunities for individuals to get protection from deportation, among other benefits, if they have suffered abuse from a spouse or certain family members. This brief overview walks through the immigration eligibility and benefits involved with VAWA.
Resources
Publication Date
12/15/2022
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is available to individuals from certain countries designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who cannot return to their home countries due to natural disaster, armed conflict, or other conditions that make it unsafe. This overview guide shares key insights about TPS eligibility, benefits, and more.
Resources
Publication Date
12/15/2022
In September 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1766 – CA IDs For All – which expands standard CA ID eligibility to all Californians, regardless of immigration status. In this downloadable guide, we walk through this new law’s implications, the opportunities for immigrants living in California, how this differs from AB 60 and the REAL ID, and more.
Resources
Publication Date
01/20/2023
On December 9, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they will automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards—also known as green cards—for those who apply for naturalization on or after December 12, 2022. This FAQ covers what the changes mean, how the implementation works, and more.
Resources
Publication Date
03/01/2023
On December 23, 2022, a new rule on public charge went into effect. The new rule reinforces longstanding policies on public charge that ensure families can access health and nutrition programs and many other benefits without fear. Not all immigrants need to worry about public charge since many are not affected and can receive any public benefit they are eligible for without consequences. This downloadable guide offers more information about whether public charge affects you or your family.
Resources
Publication Date
03/01/2023
Cannabis legalization has long been a growing theme across the United States, having a place in virtually every recent election cycle and in policy debates related to the federal government’s role in restricting its access, sale, use, and distribution. With many states moving to legalize cannabis for recreational use and with the Biden administration recently deciding to pardon individuals for certain federal convictions related to its possession, it may seem as though we are coming to the end of the cannabis prohibition era. Unfortunately, not only is that moment yet to arrive, but the dangers for immigrants, in particular, could not be higher. This downloadable guide walks through the current intersection of cannabis, criminal, and immigration law and also shares insights about what a pathway out of prohibition could look like.
Resources
Publication Date
03/01/2023
In August 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a new “victim-centered approach” for immigration enforcement. This FAQ outlines what this means, what the directive is expected to do, and who qualifies for this new enforcement approach.
Resources
Publication Date
03/13/2023
This guide provides a walkthrough of how individuals can submit a public comment whenever the federal government publishes a proposed rule that creates or changes existing policy. Many published rules, such as proposed changes to public charge or increases in USCIS filing fees, have an impact on immigration processes so it is vital for the public to share their feedback if they find they would be impacted if the proposed rules become law.
Resources
Publication Date
03/24/2023
This resource provides an overview of the process of traveling on advance parole and returning to the United States through a port of entry. For those granted permission to travel on advance parole, the return process can be intimidating and confusing. We’ve outlined ways to prepare for travel under Advance Parole and tips to make the process as smooth as possible.
Resources
Publication Date
03/24/2023
California immigrants who file taxes may now receive cash from the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). As the negative effects of COVID-19 continue impacting immigrant families, many are in need of support. Filing taxes may mean cash benefits for qualifying families. This guide provides a brief summary of what CalEITC is and who can benefit from it.
Resources
Publication Date
03/24/2023
This downloadable community explainer provides an overview of the current state of DACA, where the program stands given the uncertainty of pending federal litigation, and what beneficiaries should be considering as we wait for a court decision on the program’s future.
Resources
Publication Date
03/31/2023
Undocumented individuals who have U.S. citizen children often ask when and if their child can help them obtain their Lawful Permanent Resident status. A citizen child who is over 21 years old can begin the process for a parent to get their Permanent Residence card, often referred to as a green card. However, the process can be complicated and any parent seeking a green card through their child needs to carefully consider certain things before they move forward. This guide provides a brief explanation of this process, what is needed for a son or daughter to help their parent(s) obtain status, and some considerations to keep in mind as you explore this process.
Resources
Publication Date
05/03/2023
An immigrant legal defense fund pays legal service providers to represent community members facing deportation in immigration court. This resource provides a general overview of immigrant legal defense funds (ILDFs) at the municipal level in Texas, including why they are needed, the goals and components of a strong ILDF, and examples of these funds from across the state.
Resources
Publication Date
06/12/2023
With the future of the DACA policy hanging by a thread due to litigation, DACA employees are wondering whether they can continue earning a living if they were to lose their work authorization. This Community Alert, produced in partnership with Immigrants Rising, lists some policy ideas that employers can implement to continue to support their employees if DACA were to end.
Resources
Publication Date
06/15/2023
U nonimmigrant status, commonly referred to as a “U visa”, is a form of immigration relief available to people who are survivors of certain crimes that happened in the United States. This guide serves as a walkthrough of the different benefits granted when approved for a U visa – and those that are granted while an application is pending.
Resources
Publication Date
07/11/2023
The Central American Minors program allows qualifying children in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to enter the United States and live here lawfully if they have a parent or legal guardian in the United States with certain kinds of immigration status. This fact sheet provides information on basic eligibility and where to go for help.
Resources
Publication Date
07/11/2023
This FAQ provides an update on immigration application filing fee changes that were recently proposed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).