Legal

• Undocumented immigrants face limited access to work permits, and frequent renewal requirements create instability and anxiety ¹ ².

• Due to fear of deportation, mobility, employment oppurtunities and even everyday family routines such as picking up children from school are restricted for immigrants².

• Healthcare access is a major barrier, as undocumented immigrants are excluded from many insurance companies and often avoid treatment due to high costs³ ⁴ ⁵.

  • Other healthcare obstacles are: language barriers, discrimination, and difficult to navigate systems³ ⁴ ⁵.

• These legal difficulties contribute to stress, depression, and social isolation, negatively impacting overall well-being².

• Support services, such as California Legal Aid, offer free multilingual assistance and have helped thousands of immigrants secure work permits, residency, safety protections, and citizenship⁶.

• Legal challenges can be overwhelming and take a serious toll on overall well-being. However, with the right support, immigrants can find stability and hope. The following resources can help make a meaningful difference:

  • Free or low-cost legal advice

    • https://www.lawhelpca.org

  • If you need urgent help during an immigration raid, you can contact the following rapid response hotlines available in California

    • https://www.ccijustice.org/carrn

  • How to avoid fraud/problems with lawyer fees (availible in English and Spanish)

    • https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Free-Legal-Information/For-Immigrants/fraud-alert-how-to-avoid-fraud-for-immigrants-seeking-legal-aid-to-avoid-family-deportations

  • Dealing with problems with your lawyer

    • https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Complaints-Claims/How-to-File-a-Complaint/Before-You-File

  • Multilingual immigration resource directory from the California Courts. En Español: Recursos de inmigración.

    • https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-immigration.htm

  • Comprehensive resources to help immigrants identify and report fraudulent immigration services. Available in multiple languages.

    • https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant/immigration-services-fraud

  • Updates and multilingual information on DACA, legal services, and immigrant rights.

    • https://immigrantguide.ca.gov/

  • Provides legal services and programs for low-income residents in rural areas, including immigrant communities.

    • https://www.crla.org/

  • Multilingual information (English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese) on immigrant rights and available services.

    • https://www.chirla.org/

  • Multilingual guidance on recognizing fraud, consumer rights, and where to file complaints about legal fraud.

    • https://oia.lacounty.gov/

  • Funds organizations that provide free legal services and information for immigrants.

    • https://www.cdss.ca.gov/immigration-services

• Multilingual information to help immigrants avoid scams and fraud.

  • https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/immigration

• Resources on immigration laws, attorney discipline, and unauthorized practice of law.

  • https://www.aila.org/advo-media/issues/all/stop-notario-fraud

• Brochures and posters in 25 languages on immigration topics, including how to avoid scams.

  • https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams

• Insurance for Immigrants

  • https://www.coveredca.com/learning-center/information-for-immigrants/overview/

¹ USCIS, 2022
² Paat & Green, 2017
³ Bustamante et al., 2010
⁴ Galvan et al., 2021; Ortega et al., 2018; Ornelas et al., 2020
⁵ Heyman et al., 2009; KFF, 2019; Porteny et al., 2020
⁶ “Making a Difference: California Legal Aid,” 2019