Resources for Immigrants
Recent shifts in immigration policy have caused uncertainty and fear in many communities. Seeking legal help from qualified and trusted resources is especially important at this time. If you are seeking help related to your or your family’s immigration status or related legal problems, the providers and resources on this page can provide assistance.
Beware of scams: Unfortunately, there are many dishonest individuals, businesses, and scam artists who take advantage of immigrants. Some dishonest providers pretend to be attorneys or are immigration consultants (sometimes called notarios) who by law cannot provide legal advice. These unlicensed practitioners can take your money and, in some cases, cause serious damage to your immigration case.
Scam rings use AI and deepfakes to pose as attorneys―or even impersonate real ones―and target victims through deceptive websites, social media, text messages, and emails.
Do your homework: Verify that anyone you hire is licensed to perform legal work. Use the State Bar’s Attorney Search feature to confirm their credentials.
Check, then double-check: Scam artists impersonate lawyers. Ensure the attorney’s contact information that you have matches what’s on the State Bar website and that their license is active. Contact them only using the information on the State Bar website, which attorneys are required to keep up to date.
Authorized resources for immigration legal services
Protect yourself and your family by consulting these resources when choosing an immigration legal services provider.
- Current State Bar legal aid immigration grantees providing free legal services: See a list of legal aid providers in your area that provide free immigration legal services.
- Find free or low-cost legal advice through LawHelpCA.org, which lists providers and information on legal issues immigrants may face, including what to do when detained.
- If you do not qualify for free legal help, use a certified Lawyer Referral Service to find an attorney in your area; many offer services in different languages.
- If you need immediate assistance during an immigration raid, refer to California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice’s list of local rapid response lines.
Whether you hire an attorney or a legal consultant, it’s important to know your rights and how to protect yourself.
- Resolve a fee dispute with your lawyer
- Concerns about an attorney
- Look up a lawyer’s license with the State Bar
- Pamphlet: Have You Been a Victim of Nonattorney or Notario Fraud? | En Español
- Avoid fraud by immigration consultants
- Cease and desist notices, which warn nonattorneys that their practices may violate the law
The State Bar investigates complaints of misconduct against attorneys licensed in California as well as complaints against nonattorneys who defraud consumers by practicing law without a license—also known as the unauthorized practice of law.
- File an attorney misconduct complaint
- File a nonattorney unauthorized practice of law (UPL) complaint
Additional resources for immigrants
- Immigration Resource Guide: Multilingual immigration resource directory from the California Courts. En Español: Recursos de inmigración
- Resources for California’s Immigrant Communities: From the California Attorney General, comprehensive resources to help immigrants identify and report fraudulent immigration services. Available in multiple languages.
- California Immigrant Guide: Updates and multilingual information on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and where to find legal services.
- California Rural Legal Assistance: Services and programs to assist low-income residents in rural areas, including immigrants.
- Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA): Information in English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese for immigrants with questions about their rights.
- Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs: Multilingual information on how to recognize fraud, consumer rights, and where to complain about legal fraud.
- The California Department of Social Services funds organizations that offer free legal services and information for immigrants.
- In its Stop Notario Fraud campaign, the American Immigration Lawyers Association has a list of state immigration laws, state groups that discipline attorneys, federal immigration laws and resources, and various state laws governing the unauthorized practice of law.
- As part of its Fight Notario Fraud campaign, the American Bar Association has developed training materials, case law, and other resources for consumers and attorneys. The association also has information En Español: Lucha contra el Fraude Notarial
- Know your rights with printable Red Cards in 39 languages from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Print and carry this card in case you encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Know Your Rights materials in English and Spanish from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.
- To prepare for a family emergency, consult Bet Tzedek’s Family Preparedness Toolkit (English, Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese).
- For general information concerning immigration rights and protections under the law, guidance for immigrant students and families, scam protection, and guidance and resources for public institutions and employers, please visit the California Office of the Attorney General.
Download a “Are You an Immigrant in Need of Legal Services?” pamphlet in your preferred language.
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