Occidental College is committed to the safety and well-being of every member of the Oxy community.
As an expression of that commitment, we have compiled a directory of resources for students and other community members who need access to support or resources relating to legal issues, gender, civil liberties, immigration status or other important issues.
Legal & Support Resources
Immigration
ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project
Easy-to-use guides on what to do if you’re stopped by the police or immigration agents; the legal rights of protesters; and what to do if you’re questioned about your immigration status.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA
Since 1991, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) has fought to create a seat at the table for Asian Americans in the national conversations that determine the policies that shape their lives.
Asociacion de Salvdoreños de Los Angeles (ASOSAL)
ASOSAL was created in April 1991 as a nonprofit organization by a group of 14 Salvadorans to defend the rights of immigrants. ASOSAL seeks to improve the quality of life of Salvadorans, Central Americans and Latino communities in Los Angeles by assisting immigrants to obtain permanent resident status.
Legal Department: asosal.org/Legal.php
Catholic Legal Immigration Network
Established in 1988 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, CLINIC promotes the dignity and protects the rights of immigrants in partnership with a dedicated network of Catholic and community legal immigration programs.
Central American Resource Center: CARECEN
A nonprofit organization that offers low-cost immigration legal services, community education programs, and advocacy and organizing to achieve fair and more inclusive immigration, education, and labor laws and policies.
Legal services: carecen-la.org/legal_services
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of LA: CHIRLA
Headed by Executive Director Angelica Salas ’93, CHIRLA is recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to provide immigration legal services at low-cost to its members. The Legal Services Department has helped thousands of individuals to become citizens, reunite with their families and apply to become a DACA beneficiary. For legal immigration services consultation, visit CHIRLA Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday at 9 a.m. The consultation is $40 per person needing services.
Educators for Fair Consideration
Headed by Katharine Gin, who serves on University of California President Janet Napolitano's Advisory Group on Undocumented Students, San Francisco-based Educators for Fair Consideration seeks to empower undocumented young people by providing financial support, information and resources, among other initiatives.
Have a question about your immigration status? Visit E4FC’s DREAMer Intake Service to get a free, individual summary of your potential immigration remedies or contact E4FC's Legal Services at legalservices@e4fc.org.
Hermandad Mexicana Nacional
Founded in 1973, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services and protecting the needs and rights of Spanish-speaking immigrants. With more than 18 offices located in Los Angeles County, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino and San Diego, Hermandad has become a prominent provider of citizenship and immigration services.
Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Founded in 1979, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit resource center that provides immigration legal training, technical assistance, educational materials, and engages in advocacy and immigrant civic engagement to advance immigrant rights. (The ILRC does not provide direct legal services or individual legal consultations.)
Download the Post-Election Talking Points PDF
DACA Talking Points: ilrc.org/daca-talking-points
KIWA: Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance
KIWA organizes low-wage immigrant workers, tenants, and their families to promote workplace justice, housing rights, immigrants’ rights, democratic and sustainable community development, civic participation, gender justice, and cultural resistance.
Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund: MALDEF
Headquartered in Los Angeles, MALDEF is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Often described as the “law firm of the Latino community," MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access.
Download the Immigrants rights FAQ PDF
My Undocumented Life|
A blog launched in 2011 by Harvard doctoral student Carolina Valdivia to provide up-to-date information and resources to undocumented immigrants, including scholarship opportunities, strategies for navigating the educational system, how to apply for DACA/Advanced Parole, news on DAPA, and more.
National Council of La Raza
A private nonprofit organization founded in 1968 and based in Washington, D.C., NCLR is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the country. You can find information here on DACA and DAPA, how to avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous notarios, and how to apply for U.S. citizenship.
National Immigration Law Center
Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants.
United We Dream
United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation, with a network of over 100,000 immigrant youth and allies and 55 affiliate organizations in 26 states. UWD organizes and advocates for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status.
University of California Undocumented Student Legal Services Center
While the Center serves UC students only, this interview with Executive Director Maria Blanco offers a useful overview of the current state of the law and resources available to students generally.
Immigration Attorneys
Immigration Advocates’ National Immigration Legal Services Directory
The directory allows you to search for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included.
American Immigration Lawyers Association Lawyer Search
AILA is the only legal association in the United States for immigration attorneys. More than 14,000 immigration lawyers are members of AILA.
Women
The California Women’s Law Center
The California Women’s Law Center breaks down barriers and advances the potential of women and girls through transformative litigation, policy advocacy and education.
LGBTQIA+
Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and advocacy that span four broad categories: health, social services and housing, culture and education, and leadership and advocacy. Legal services include consultation and referral, hate crime assistance, intimate partner/domestic violence, asylum assistance, transgender services, and legal assistance.
Islamophobia
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Established in 1994 to challenge stereotypes of Islam and Muslims, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR quickly established its reputation as the "go-to" organization when bias is directed against Muslim individuals or institutions.
The Muslim Public Affairs Council
Since its inception in 1988, MPAC has worked diligently to foster a vibrant Muslim American identity and to represent the interests of Muslim Americans to decision makers in government agencies, media outlets, interfaith circles and Hollywood studios.
Network Against Islamophobia
Organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, the Network Against Islamophobia (NAI) strives to be visible, take strong action against Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism. and to stand together with Muslim communities and all those targeted.
General Civil Liberties
American Civil Liberties Union
ACLU Southern California Chapter
Civil Disobedience
National Lawyers Guild Los Angeles
The NLG-LA Weinglass Political Defense Committee may assist in coordinating the criminal defense of those arrested during political protests or actions. If you would like the assistance of the Weinglass Political Defense Committee, email arrests@nlg-la.org. (specific contact is Ameena Mirza Qazi, ameena@nlg-la.org) NLG-LA has devised a new intake system for those arrested during political actions or protests to provide information on attorney representation, charges, and potential legal outcomes.
NLG-LA Resources for Aresstees During Political Protests
Tips on Protesting Safely
Occupy Peace - Arrested at a Protest: How to Plan for It
Know Your Rights: What To Do If Your Rights Are Violated At A Demonstration Or Protest