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Community Resources

Our Community Resources page is a prime embodiment of our commitment to bringing clarity to complicated immigration issues. Resources on this page include a wide range of downloadable tools produced for diverse audiences, from experienced advocates to directly impacted community members seeking answers about the complex world of immigration law.  

If you are seeking legal support for your case: 
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s main focus is to educate and assist attorneys and legal advocates in their work to help immigrants and their families. For over 40 years, we have impacted the field of immigration law with a three-pronged approach – capacity building, policy advocacy, and civic engagement. Because this work is generally focused around teaching, interpreting, and changing law to empower legal practitioners, we do not directly represent clients at the ILRC, nor do we provide individual legal consultations. If you are seeking legal advice or representation in your case, we encourage you to visit the Immigration Advocates Network’s National Immigration Legal Services Directory below to find a trusted legal service provider in your area. You can also go to LawHelpCA.org to find connections to legal aid organizations and referral services.





 

Latest Resources

Resources
Resources

Frequently Asked Questions: DACA (September 2023)
Publication Date
09/18/2023
On September 13, 2023, a Federal District Court in Texas issued a ruling in Texas v. United States declaring that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) rule is unlawful. It is important to note that while this judge once again found DACA to be unlawful, the decision does not change the current status of who is eligible to apply. This Community Alert walks through the details, as of September 18, 2023.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Naturalization Test Redesign

Publication Date
09/08/2023
In December 2022 USCIS announced that it was starting a pilot project to redesign the English/civics test for naturalization. If the pilot test is adopted, applicants will face a more difficult English/civics exam. This community explainer breaks down some of those challenges, and how advocates can push for a more inclusive process of naturalization.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Alert for Salvadoran TPS Holders
Publication Date
08/25/2023
Community Alert: If you have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for EL SALVADOR and continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you MUST RE-REGISTER for TPS and apply for a work permit by SEPTEMBER 10, 2023.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

The Latest on Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Publication Date
08/14/2023
This guide walks through the latest updates regarding TPS for immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. Included are frequently asked questions about the program, renewal timelines, and more.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Recent California “Clean Slate” Initiatives & Immigrants
Publication Date
08/14/2023
There is a new law in California that went into effect in 2023 called the California Clean Slate Act (SB 731). Under the Clean Slate Act, authorities will automatically expunge – or dismiss – certain arrests and criminal convictions. While expungement provides relief in the California state criminal legal system, it does not provide the same relief in the immigration context. This explainer walks through some key points about this new law and its implication for immigrants with prior contact with law enforcement.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

A Closer Look at DHS Interior Enforcement Practices
Publication Date
07/26/2023
In the Spring of 2023, the ILRC surveyed partner organizations and immigration practioners to get a sense of how the Biden Administration’s enforcement priorities were impacting interior enforcement. Unsurprisingly, our analysis of the data showed that federal guidance does not prevent ICE from targeting and detaining people who do not meet agency priorities.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

How to: Check your Selective Service Registration
Publication Date
07/11/2023
This quick guide shares how to check your Selective Service registration status. For various applications with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), providing proof of registration with the Selective Service System is a vital part of qualifying for immigration relief. Learn more with this step-by-step guide.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

An Update on Immigration Filing Fees (July 2023)
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).
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Overview: The Central American Minors (CAM) Program
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.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Key Benefits of a U Visa
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.
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