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Immigration Resources

This list covers key immigration aid organizations, relevant laws, and “Know Your Rights” resources for legal support and advocacy in Los Angeles.

Key Immigration and Legal Aid Organizations

Several organizations in Los Angeles provide legal assistance and advocacy for immigrants, including SALEF, CHIRLA, and CARECEN, which offer support for DACA renewals, citizenship applications, and deportation defense. Other groups like AJSOCAL, Catholic Charities, and the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project provide low-cost or free immigration consultations, family-based immigration services, and representation in immigration court.

The Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF)
  1. Legal assistance for DACA renewals, citizenship applications, and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) adjustments.
    1. +1-213-480-1052 (English and Spanish)
    2. https://salef.org/
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
  1. Immigrant rights organization providing legal services including deportation defense, family unity services, and DACA/citizenship assistance.  
    1. +1-888-624-4752 (Immigrant Assistance Referral Line; English and Spanish)
    2. +1-213-3797 (Legal Assistance Line; English and Spanish)
    3. https://www.chirla.org/
The Immigration Project at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California 
  1. AJSOCAL assists immigrants nationally and locally who are seeking help with immigration relief such as adjustment of status, representation in immigration court, and other forms of family-based immigration. The Immigration Project hosts free in-house and off-site workshops and information sessions within Los Angeles County and Orange County to assist undocumented immigrants for little to no cost. Immigration consultations are also available in-person or over the phone by appointment only.
    1. English/Other: 888-349-9695
    2. 普通话／广东话 (Chinese): 800-520-2356
    3. 한국어(Korean): 800-867-3640
    4. Tagalog (Filipino): 855-300-2552
    5. ภาษาไทย (Thai): 880-914-9583
    6. हिन्दी (Hindi) : 85-.971-2552
    7. ខ្មែរ (Khmer): 800-867-3126
    8. Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese): 714-477-2958
    9. https://ajsocal.org/immigration/
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles
  1. Catholic Charities of Los Angeles (CCLA) provides support and advocacy to individuals and families, helping them to legalize their residency status and become naturalized citizens. The primary objective is to reunite families by legalizing persons residing in the United States without lawful immigration status, and by assisting in the lawful immigration of family members to the United States. 
    1. +1-213-251-3411 (Languages: Spanish, English, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), and Farsi)
    2. +1-213-318-5711 (English, Arabic, Farsi, and Armenian)
    3. https://catholiccharitiesla.org/immigration-services/
Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
  1. A public interest legal organization, Esperanza serves vulnerable immigrants in the Los Angeles area by offering education and representation to help them navigate the complex immigration system
    1. +1-213-251-3505
    2. https://www.esperanza-la.org/programs
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
  1. No cost consultations and low cost immigration legal services
    1. +1-213-385-7800 ext 136 (English and Spanish)
    2. https://www.carecen-la.org/ 

 

Immigration Protections in Los Angeles and California: Key Policies and Legislation

Los Angeles has implemented pro-immigrant policies, including LAPD Special Orders 40 and 1, as well as the Sanctuary City Ordinance, which limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. At the state level, California laws such as SB 54 (California Values Act) and the TRUTH Act reinforce protections for undocumented residents, while the CA DREAM Act and Immigration Tenant Protection Act expand access to education and housing rights for immigrants.

Los Angeles City
California (Statewide Legislation)


 

Know Your Rights: Immigration Defense and Legal Resources