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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

FAQs & Explainers
Resources

What You Need to Know About Public Charge
Publication Date
03/04/2024
This Community Explainer details what Public Charge is, who it does and does not impact, and what immigrants should know when considering certain public benefits and their family’s immigration circumstances.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

New USCIS Fee Rule: An Update on USCIS Filing Fees
Publication Date
02/12/2024
On January 31, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a final fee rule that will go into effect April 1, 2024. This Community Alert delves into the provisions of the new rule including increased fees, expanded fee exemptions, and changes to fee waiver policy. This downloadable guide also offers some key takeaways and resources to find support for your immigration case.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Community Alert: 2024 Medi-Cal Expansion & Public Charge
Publication Date
01/09/2024
This Community Alert provides an overview of new eligibility changes for full-scope Medi-Cal for income-eligible Californians, regardless of immigration status. Available for download in English and Spanish.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Options for Survivors in Criminal Court
Publication Date
01/09/2024
Criminal Convictions can have serious consequences on peoples’ lives – especially non-citizens who wish to stay in the United States. Many immigration benefits have criminal bars, meaning that certain convictions will prevent you from getting a lawful immigration status, like permanent residence (green card). This Community Explainer offers some options for those who have had certain convictions related to domestic violence or human trafficking, with insights about how to define these crimes, some example scenarios, and explanations about the benefits of a legal tool called a “vacatur.”
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Community Alert: Warnings about the 10-year Green Card Scam
Publication Date
01/09/2024
This downloadable flyer is designed to raise awareness about the misinformation that often circulates in the undocumented community about the viability of qualifying for lawful permanent resident status solely for having lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

Community Alert: Immigrating as a Child & the Child Status Protection Act
Publication Date
01/09/2024
If you are hoping to attain lawful permanent resident status (getting a green card) or apply for an immigrant visa as a “child” and your 21st birthday is coming up, read this Community Alert to learn about how changes to USCIS’ interpretation of a law called the Child Status Protection Act might impact you.
FAQs & Explainers
Resources

How the “Lawful Pathways” Asylum Ban Impacts Children & Youth
Publication Date
10/16/2023
On May 11, 2023, the Biden administration issued a new regulation creating a bar to asylum for people arriving at the southern U.S. border with certain narrow exceptions. Although there is an ongoing court challenge, the bar, known as the “lawful pathways” rule, remains in effect. This Community Alert explores the exceptions to the bar with a focus on some of the exceptions that apply to children and youth traveling with their families.
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

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.
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