Immigrant Rights Resources

In addition to being a research study, RIGHTS is committed to sharing information that is helpful to you and your family.

Below are a number of immigrant rights resources from trusted sources including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), the LA County Office of Immigrants Affairs, the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), and more.

Know Your Rights Resources

Know Your Rights: Everyone has certain basic rights, no matter who is president. Use this guide to stay informed.

The Protect Immigrant Families Campaign provides an extensive list of educational resources for immigrant rights. Visit their website to learn more about all the current and potential policies that impact immigrant families.

Healthcare and Social Services

Medi-Cal is available to all low-income children and youth under 19 years old, regardless of immigration status. Click here for information on how to enroll your child.

According to Health Access California, most counties provide non-emergency care for undocumented immigrants. The following programs are some examples:

County Medical Services Program (CMSP) provides health care services to undocumented residents of participating counties. Click here to find more information in Spanish and English or visit their website to find out if your county is participating in the program.
Healthy Partners provides primary care to eligible undocumented residents of Sacramento County who meet certain eligibility requirements. Click here for eligibility requirements in Spanish and English.
Healthy San Francisco is a program designed to make health care services available to all San Francisco residents regardless of immigration status, employment status, or pre-existing medical conditions. Visit their website for more information.
My Health LA (MHLA) provides free primary health care to eligible residents of Los Angeles County. For more information visit their website.
WIC is a nutrition education and food supplement program that helps lower income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children eat well and stay healthy. Undocumented immigrants can receive WIC as long as they live in California. Click here to see if you qualify.
Maternal and Child Health Access (MCHA) improves the health of low income women and families through advocacy, education, training and direct services. MCHA will work with uninsured and underinsured individuals and families by providing outreach and enrollment assistance into free and low cost health coverage programs and will troubleshoot and advocate on behalf of clients who experience health coverage or access issues. Visit their website to learn more.

Public Charge: Are you worried about using government benefits because you think it may affect your ability to fix your immigration status or sponsor a family member? If so, click here to understand the facts. You may also visit NILC's web page for more information on public charge.

Employment

EF4C's Career License Guide: If you do not have have a Social Security Number you can still apply for a professional license by using your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Click here to learn more.

CLINIC's Guide for Workplace Rights for Immigrants: Every worker has rights regardless of immigration status, click here to learn more (in English). Click here to see the guide in Spanish.

Education

AB 540 allows eligible undocumented, legal permanent resident and U.S. citizen students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Click here to see if you are eligible and find out how to apply.

California Dream Act allows eligible undocumented and nonresident documented students to apply for and receive private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, University grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. Click here to find out if you qualify.

General Information: It is best to use resources offered by your campus when you have any questions or concerns. Alternatively, you can visit the UCLA Dashew Center for International Students & Scholars for general information.

Additional Resources

Know Your Rights about DACA: At this time, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is accepting DACA renewal applications from people who currently or previously had DACA. However, they are NOT accepting first-time DACA applications. Click here to learn more. You can also find this information in Spanish.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration status that allows foreign nationals to remain in the U.S. if during the time they were in the U.S. something catastrophic happened in their country of origin preventing their safe return – for example war, famine, natural disaster, or epidemic. TPS allows people to work legally and be protected from deportation. Click here for more information and recent updates on TPS.

Living in Limbo: Do you have no immigration status? If so, you may find the ILRC's Guide to Understanding Your Rights, Benefits, and Obligations When You Have No Immigration Status useful.

FIRM is a faith-based non-profit that serves the needs of over 6500 refugees in the Fresno area of the California San Joaquin Valley, primarily refugees of Southeast Asian, Slavic, and African origin. They provide wrap around services for children all the way up to the elderly, from after-school programs, to advocacy work, to mental health programs, to community gardens and more. Visit their website to learn more about the organization.

The Fresno Center (TFC) provides services to the growing needs of Southeast Asian refugees in the county in the areas of employment, citizenship, leadership, networking, mental health, research, and advocacy. These services serve as the foundation of the organization as they transition refugees to become new Americans. Visit their website to learn more.