The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) immigration attorneys’ expertise focuses on family-based immigration, humanitarian relief, naturalization and citizenship, immigration enforcement, and removal defense.
Since 1979 we have helped expand the immigration expertise of attorneys, nonprofit staff, criminal defenders, and others assisting immigrant clients.
In addition to authoring the ILRC’s practice manuals, our expert attorneys have been published by Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), ILW.com, Huffington Post, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, Center for Law and Social Policy, The Hill, LexisNexis Emerging Issues, and Fox News Latino.
We have also provided training to National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), American Bar Association Commission on Immigration, Federal Bar Association, The State Bar of California, Legal Aid Association of California, Judicial Council of California and more.
06/04/2018
Learn about the various types of background checks for DACA applicants and how to request them.
06/01/2018
This infographic provides a simple, visual representation of who can apply for DACA now and how to get informed of changes and updates.
06/01/2018
Public charge is a concept in immigration law that often deters immigrants from accessing critical public benefits and services. This cheat sheet gives services providers a quick overview of what public charge is, who it does and does not impact, what benefits impact public charge, and where to refer people for immigration help.
05/23/2018
This statement from a coalition of immigrant rights organizations urges members of Congress to vote no on the FIRST STEP Act of 2018 (H.R. 5682). This bill excludes a wide swatch of immigrants, further criminalizes aspects of migration, and fails to address root systemic causes of incarceration nor advance any meaningful criminal justice reform.
05/23/2018
Statement for the Record by the ACLU, IDP, IJN, ILRC, NIJC and NIP on the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration for the May 23, 2018 Hearing Titled "TVPRA and Exploited Loopholes Affecting Unaccompanied Alien Children": In this statement for the record, the ILRC, along with our partners discuss the dehumanizing and cruel responses by the Trump Administration...
05/21/2018
This report details findings from a national survey of legal practitioners concerning the increased use of gang allegations against young immigrants as a means of driving up deportation numbers, at the encouragement of the Trump administration. The report suggests emerging best practices for immigration attorneys to employ in both fighting against unfounded gang allegations and working to...
05/21/2018
This practice advisory discusses how the Child Status Protection Act protects children of asylees and refugees through the immigration process, including the asylum application, the Form I-730, and adjustment.
05/10/2018
Advocates across the country have been organizing town halls and community meetings to demand transparency and accountability from elected prosecutors and prosecutorial candidates. We offer sample questions for advocates who want to know about a prosecutor’s approach to immigration.
05/09/2018
Upon the January 1, 2017 enactment of Penal Code 1473.7, the LA District Attorney took the position that the motions were not ripe unless a final removal order or notice to appear had issued. Thanks to advocacy of organizations and individuals, especially Harland Braun, on April 17, 2018, the LA District Attorney Office changed their policy noting that “the Office is persuaded that the...
05/09/2018
Form N-648, the Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, provides an opportunity for naturalization applicants who have a physical, developmental, or mental health disability to naturalize without meeting the English and/or civics requirements. These two practice advisories review the criteria for the N-648, address how medical providers can complete a successful N-648 for naturalization...
05/08/2018
Noncitizens with certain criminal records are subject to mandatory immigration detention under INA § 236(c), 8 USC § 1226(c). This means that they may remain detained during the weeks, months, or years of their entire immigration case, without even the right to a bond hearing . The recent Supreme Court decision in Jennings v. Rodriguez has made the prospects for release even worse. This advisory...
05/03/2018
This resource contains a chart comparing various federal legislative proposals attacking sanctuary jurisdictions.
05/03/2018
The final step in the naturalization process is the oath of allegiance to the United States. The oath demonstrates loyalty to the United States and the Constitution. All applicants must demonstrate that they are “attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States.” The oath also includes statements that the...
05/01/2018
Resources to understand Dimaya v. Sessions , a decision by the Supreme Court to invalidate part of the immigration law on constitutional grounds. Issue Brief: The Implications of Dimaya v. Sessions : This one page resource created by the ILRC and our partners helps clarify the meaning and implications of the Supreme Court Dimaya decision. Talking Points in Response to White House Statements on...
04/30/2018
Recent government announcements and court cases on DACA have created confusion around who can apply, when they can apply, and how they can apply for DACA. To mitigate this confusion, here is an informational FAQ for your reference. Please note that DACA lawsuits are still pending in the courts, and information is changing. Although in April 2018 a federal judge opened the possibility of USCIS...
04/27/2018
This infographic provides a simple, visual representation of the current status of the DACA program.
04/16/2018
Since 1986, the Continuing Education of the Bar, in its “Crim Law Bible,” California Criminal Law Procedure and Practice , has included a chapter about representing the noncitizen criminal defendant. This chapter and the advice therein is often cited as establishing the prevailing professional norms at the date of any given conviction. Thanks to the diligent work of University of California...
04/10/2018
This advisory provides an introduction to the Affidavit of Support including various ways to meet the financial requirements, different types of sponsors who may submit Affidavits of Support, who is considered a “household member” for purposes of the Affidavit of Support, and exemptions to the Affidavit of Support.
03/29/2018
In October 2017, the Department of Defense issued new policies that impact lawful permanent residents and other non-U.S. citizens in the military. This practice advisory discusses how these policies affect those who seek to enlist, and those who currently serve in the military, including in the Reserve Components. This practice advisory was jointly authored by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center...
03/07/2018
This guide provides California employers with guidance in the event of ICE workplace enforcement including a brief introduction to immigration enforcement, a review of rights and best practices if ICE comes to the workplace for both employers and employees, and a list of additional resources.
03/05/2018
Immigration law has its own definition of what constitutes a criminal "conviction." Because most, although not all, immigration consequences require a conviction, if your client does not have a conviction the immigration case might be saved. This Advisory discusses which dispositions that come out of criminal court actually constitute a conviction for immigration purposes, and how to avoid a...
03/02/2018
In a time of increased immigration enforcement, advocates must consider all possible forms of relief for clients facing deportation. U nonimmigrant status (also frequently referred to as a “U visa”) is commonly pursued as an affirmative immigration benefit for undocumented individuals, but it may also be a particularly important form of removal defense for certain lawful permanent residents (LPRs...
02/14/2018
Vote No on Heller 1954 Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act: Policy statement in opposition to the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, which if passed would lead to unchecked racial profiling and other unconstitutional police practices. Vote No on Secure & Succeed Act: Policy statement in opposition to the Secure and Succeed Act, which fails to offer a real solution for DACA recipients...
02/13/2018
This infographic shows options for how a TPS holder may be able to get a green card through a U.S. citizen family member.
02/12/2018
Schools across the country are working to protect their students and students’ families from immigration enforcement activities on campus. However, the school to prison to deportation pipeline is often overlooked in efforts to keep students safe. This resource explains how an incident at school can result in a youth facing deportation, and encourages schools to review their disciplinary polices...