Legal Assistance

Immigrants and refugees in San Diego can get free or low-cost legal assistance.

Legal assistance can help with the following:

Visas
Citizenship
Housing
Family Law

Immigration Legal Resources

Below are organizations that provide legal assistance. Please contact the organization to schedule an immigration legal consultation. They can explain if you are eligible to apply for a green card (Legal Permanent Residency) or another legal status.

Organization	Services Provided
Immigration Legal Defense Program (ILDP) *Flyers available in other languages below	Long-term representation for individuals facing deportation. Limited to detained immigrants or those presently in Alternative to Detention Status in San Diego County Call ILDP intake at 1-619-446-2883 or email oac.immigration@sdcounty.ca.gov
Immigration Legal Services Coalition of San Diego (ILSC) *Flyers available in other languages below	Short-term legal representation for people detained by immigration enforcement Legal consultation Referral to service providers offering long-term representation If your loved one has recently been detained by immigration enforcement, please call 1-858-751-7553 to speak with someone from the legal services team.
Alliance for African Assistance	Preparing and submitting applications for Legal Permanent Residency (LPR), Asylum, DACA, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Naturalization/citizenship, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Removal Defence
Casa Cornelia Law Center	Legal representation to victims of crime and asylum seekers
Casa Familiar	Immigration application assistance
Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego	Preparing and submitting applications for LPR, Asylum, DACA, EAD Naturalization/citizenship, and TPS Removal Defense
Immigrant Center for Women and Children	Preparing and submitting applications for Asylum for unaccompanied minors, DACA, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U and T visas, and Violence against Women Act (VAWA)
International Rescue Committee	Preparing and submitting applications for LPR, Asylum, DACA, EAD, and Naturalization/citizenship Immigration legal consultations
Jewish Family Service of San Diego	Preparing and submitting applications for LPR, DACA renewals, and Naturalization/citizenship Full and limited legal representation to detained adults at Otay Mesa facing deportation proceedings, non-detained immigrants facing deportation proceedings, and unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings Free immigration legal services to students, staff, and faculty at San Diego and Imperial County Community and State Colleges
Legal Aid Society of San Diego	Preparing and submitting applications for LPR, Naturalization/citizenship, U and T visas, and VAWA Immigration court representation
La Maestra	Preparing and submitting applications for LPR, Asylum, DACA, EAD, U and T visas, VAWA, SIJS, Naturalization/citizenship, and TPS Removal defense
UURISE	Preparing and submitting applications for LPR, Naturalization/citizenship, U and T visas, and VAWA Immigration legal consultations

Other Legal Resources

Organization	Services Provided
University of San Diego Legal Clinics	Civil litigation Education and disability Housing rights Immigration State and Federal taxes Workers' rights Domestic violence Family Law and more
San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program	Restraining orders Family law HIV/AIDS law Landlord/tenant law Immigration Guardianship Microbusiness and non-profit law and more
Legal Aid Society of San Diego	Walk-in legal clinics Family Law Restraining orders Eviction and housing law Consumer protection and bankruptcy SSI Benefits/public benefits/health care Name and gender marker changes and more