Embedded Files
Overview
Undocumented and DACA students often face unique legal challenges, from questions about immigration status to housing, employment, or family law. Accessing trustworthy legal aid is crucial for protecting rights, navigating complex systems, and avoiding fraud. Community-based legal service providers, nonprofit organizations, and immigrant rights groups offer free or low-cost legal help to support students and their families.
Tips
Seek trusted providers. Look for nonprofit or community-based organizations (e.g., Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, legal aid societies) rather than private ads online
Ask about cost up front. Many organizations offer free consultations or sliding-scale fees—make sure to confirm before starting services
Avoid notario fraud. In the U.S., “notarios” are not licensed attorneys. Always verify that your legal representative is accredited by the Department of Justice or a licensed attorney
Use referrals. Campus resource centers, immigrant advocacy organizations, or community groups can connect you to reputable providers
Know your rights. You have the right to ask for an interpreter, written information in your language, and to keep copies of all legal documents
Table of Contents
Legal Aid
Legal Aid
Northwest Immigration Rights Project (NWIRP)
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting justice and protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees in Washington State. They provide free legal assistance in various areas, including DACA renewals, asylum claims, and defense against deportation. to immigrants in Washington State, including DACA renewals, asylum claims, and removal defense. They assist immigrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees, regardless of immigration status. They can only assist individuals with an income of 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Level. For the 2025 year, this equals $31,300 per year for an individual, and $64,300 for a family of four. They serve those who live in Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties.
Schedule: Mon-Fri from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Contact: (206) 587-4009, or (800) 445-5771 (toll free)
Location: 615 2nd Avenue, Suite 400, Seattle WA 98104
Colectiva Legal del Pueblo
A community-based legal organization focused on immigrant justice and deportation defense. They provide a wide variety of direct legal services, including free and low-cost legal representation to help fight deportations and keep families together. They also offer community-based training and workshops. The workshops can assist students with the understanding of their rights, demystify the legal process, and build collective power. They also provided courses in computer science and social media, aimed at empowering immigrant and undocumented communities, to help small businesses grow in their social media and marketing strategies. They also collaborate with community members and organizations to lobby for local and state-wide laws that advance and protect immigrant rights in Washington state.
Schedule: Mon-Tue, and Thu-Fri from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Contact Info: (206) 931-1514, info@colectivalegal.org
Location: 13838 1st Ave S., Burien, WA 98168
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The ACLU is a nationwide, non-profit organization dedicated to defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in the United States through the Constitution and laws of the country. The ACLU works through litigation, lobbying, and community education to protect a wide range of civil rights, including Freedom of Speech (this one is specific for student political speech/protest/walkouts), Privacy Rights (this one is specific to criminal records and employment in WA), Racial Justice (Beyond the Muslim Ban: Know Your Rights, Know Your Rights with the FBI [Arabic/English], Voting Restoration in WA [English/Spanish]), and many more.
Contact Info: (206) 624-2184 (visit their Contact Us page for more info)
Mailing Address: PO Box 2728, Seattle, WA 98111
ACLU of Washington
The ACLU of Washington is a state-level affiliate of this national organization, focusing on civil liberties issues specific to Washington State, as seen in their work on “Know Your Rights” guides for immigrants (available in English, Chinese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese). For more information on Immigrant rights, visit their page dedicated to Immigrant Rights. The ACLU can also assist individuals with relevant literature and resources via email when you provide them details about your legal issue. You can do this by submitting an Intake Form, and if they are unable to assist you they will redirect you to other individuals or organizations that may be in a better position to assist. The response time is about two to three weeks.
If you would like general legal information and referrals to other organizations, you can call ACLU-WA’s Information and Referral Program (IRP) at (206) 624-2180 (Tue-Thu from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm).
If you are interested in internships, volunteering or a job at ACLU, take a look at their Careers page for up-to-date information on their available positions. If you are interested in attending their virtual or in-person events, take a look at their Virtual and In-Person Events page. If you are interested in participating in protests and demonstrations, take a look at their Know Your Protests & Demonstration Rights guide, which provides WA rights when it comes to protests and demonstrations, as it is important to stay informed.
Why it matters: A go-to source for understanding your constitutional rights and the systems that uphold them.
Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP)
They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to civil legal justice. Their mission is to empower people in King County to allow them to obtain fair and equal justice through free civil legal aid and community education. Their assistance with civil legal issues ranges from debt & bankruptcy to wills & estate planning. Their website is available in Amharic, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Some of the ways in which the ELAP assists the community is through legal clinics, info sessions and webinars, as well as providing a list of community resources in case you do not qualify for ELAP’s services. They provide free legal advice and resources if you are unable to afford a lawyer and live in King County (to apply for assistance fill out their Online Intake Form).
If you are interested in volunteering in clinic intakes, office help, translation, grant writing, bookkeeping, social media, data entry, event support (and much more), fill out their Office Volunteer Application Form. If you are a law student and are interested in an internship program at ELAP in areas of law related to domestic violence and housing, fill out their Legal Intern/Law Clerk Application. For more information on how you can become involved with the ELAP, visit their Volunteer page.
They also have a Spanish radio-podcast called Mucho Gusto, which is transmitted every Sunday at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm through different ratio stations (99.3 FM) and podcast platforms (listen on Spotify), and if you want to be a part of Mucho Gusto send them an email at development@entrehermanos.org
Contact Info: (425) 747-7274 (for English), (425) 620-2778 (for Spanish), info@elap.org
Columbia Legal Services
They are a civil legal aid organization that works with communities to fight for racial and economic injustice through impact litigation and legislative advocacy, especially for people impacted by incarceration, immigration, and unfair labor practices. They focus on Immigration Justice, System Reform, Worker Justice, Economic Justice, Housing and Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Reform. If you are low-income and in need of a lawyer (related to the topics above mentioned), contact the Northwest Justice Project or contact the CLEAR hotline (888-201-1014, Mon-Fri from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm).
If you would like to be a part of their volunteering community or would like to work there, email them at careers@columbialegal.org and voice your interest! (for more information visit their Get Involved page). They also provide an Online Resource Library that provides useful material to keep oneself informed, and a Blog which keeps you up-to-date with their recent advocacy.
Contact Info: (206) 464-5911, or (800) 542-0794 (toll free)
Location: 1301 Fifth Ave, Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98101
SW WA LULAC Council #47013
What Is It:
This local chapter of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), founded in August 2011, is a volunteer-based Latino-led organization working to advance education, immigration rights, civic engagement, health, housing, and civil rights for Latinos in Southwest Washington. As part of the national LULAC network—with roots dating back to 1929—they provide community-driven support without requiring membership for anyone to participate.
Why It Matters:
LULAC Council 47013 serves as a vital grassroots hub, bridging gaps in support for Spanish-speaking and Latiné communities in Vancouver and Southwest Washington. Through leadership development, rapid response services, legal empowerment, and civic events, they dismantle barriers to equity and foster resilient networks. Their inclusive and broad-focused approach—encouraging participation from non-members and leveraging mutual aid frameworks—makes LULAC a cornerstone of community strength and justice.
Contact Info: (503) 388‑5356 (for general or immigration‑related support),
info@lulacvancouver.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 820749, Vancouver, WA
Programs & Services
LULAC Youth Council at Union High School: Launched in 2024, this youth-led group brings together about 30 students for monthly leadership workshops, mentorship programs, and community service opportunities.
Immigration Resources & Legal Clinics: They organize “Know Your Rights” workshops, offer mobile legal clinics, and coordinate advocacy resources. A hotline (503‑388‑5356) and email (info@lulacvancouver.org) are available for direct assistance.
Rapid Response & Mutual Aid Initiatives: In moments of urgent need—like housing instability, deportation threats, or food insecurity—LULAC mobilizes a mutual aid network to provide transportation, supplies, and referrals.
Community Events & Civic Engagement: They host cultural events, regional youth conferences, and drive civic participation through voter education and policy awareness campaigns.
Support through Donations: Community members can contribute to targeted initiatives through tiers like Ally ($25), Advocate ($100), or Guardian ($500)—each funding youth leadership, community outreach, or educational workshops.
El Centro de la Raza
A non-profit organization primarily serving as a voice and a hub for the Latine community in King County. Their mission is to provide comprehensive services and advocate for social justice, aiming for a world free of oppression based on poverty, racism, sexism, sexual orientation, and any discrimination that limits equal access to resources. They provide a list of mostly-free community resources, child & family resources, youth services, benefits and resource navigation, financial empowerment, food & health, housing, advocacy & culture, small business services, and workforce development.
One of the main resources that El Centro de la Raza provides is their Free Bilingual Legal Clinics, which provide attorneys with free general consultations on varied areas of the law (including immigration, family law, auto accidents, personal injury, worker’s rights/wage claims, and criminal law), and are held the second Wednesday of every month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (for more information contact them via phone at 844-502-9832).
They also provide a diverse amount of courses, like free English as a Second Language (ESL) courses every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 pm to 8:20 pm to WA residents that are +18yrs and are ESL levels 1 & 2 (if you are interested in their online courses send them an email with your phone number and name to register at tzarte@elcentrodelaraza.org). They also provide a free Digital Navigators course, in which they teach how to navigate the internet and use online tools (such as email, word processors, presentation software and much more), held every Monday and Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to King County residents that are +18yrs, have access to the internet and a computer, and speak Spanish (if you are interested in their online course call Oscar at 425-210-6100). For more information of additional courses provided take a look at their Workforce Development page.
El Centro de la Raza hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, some of which include the annual Building the Beloved Community Gala, which raises funds for 43 programs and services that benefit individuals and families across the region (there is live music, a reception, silent and live auctions, a three-course meal, and the presentation of the Roberto Maestas Legacy Awards and Scholarships), or their celebration of Cinco de Mayo, which is free event that is celebrated every year in which you can enjoy live music and cultural performances, raffle prices and family-friendly fun, traditional Mexican food for purchase, local vendors and resource booths, kids activities and more. For more information on events, contact them via email at events@elcentrodelaraza.org, or via phone at 206-957-4649. If you are interested in volunteering, visit their Volunteer page for more information.
Schedule: Mon-Fri from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Contact Info: (206) 957-4634
Location: 2524 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Scholarships
Scholarships for DACA Renewal Fees – El Centro de la Raza
What Is It: El Centro de la Raza provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to eligible individuals who need support covering the $495 filing fee required for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) renewals. These scholarships are meant to remove financial barriers for DACA recipients seeking to maintain their protections and work authorization. Applicants must demonstrate eligibility for DACA renewal, show financial need, and submit the required documentation with their application. The program is designed to ensure that undocumented youth and young adults do not lose their status due to a lack of funds. Applications can typically be submitted online, and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis depending on available funding. To contact them, call them at (206) 957-4605.
Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN)
They are a large, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, multi-issue, multi-faith coalition and network of over 400 immigrant leaders, allies, and immigrant-serving organizations. They work to protect and advance the power of immigrant and refugee communities through direct services, education, organization, policy, advocacy, and funding. Their Deportation Defense hotline (844-724-3737) is the only statewide hotline dedicated to serving all Washingtonians regardless of immigration status, and it is used to report immigration activity, ICE/CBP detentions, seek bail assistance, and learn about immigrant rights. The Deportation Defense Hotline also provides a text line, in which you text “ICE” to (509) 300-4959 to report immigration activity, report ICE/CBP detentions, and/or to receive alerts of ICE/CBP activity. They also provide a Resource Finder, which is a community-driven, bilingual (Spanish/English) database of vetted resources for immigrant and refugee communities across WA state, which includes information on ID requirements, language support, and limitations based on immigration status.
Schedule: Mon-Fri from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Contact Info: (844) 724-3737, info@waisn.org
Location: 2420 4th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
Immigrant Defense Project – Resources for Communities
The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) offers a suite of free, accessible tools specifically designed for immigrant communities navigating the complex intersections of criminal and immigration systems. These resources provide critical support through bilingual "Know Your Rights" guidance, actionable toolkits for responding to ICE raids, FAQs on detainers, legal guides, and step-by-step support materials—available in English and Spanish.
Why It Matters
Immigrant communities—especially those impacted by criminal legal systems or at risk of enforcement—often face confusion, fear, and information gaps. IDP’s clear, practical guidance empowers individuals and families to understand their rights, respond effectively to ICE or law enforcement encounters, and seek legal assistance confidently. These resources help preserve safety, dignity, and community resilience during enforcement actions.
Criminal-Immigration Helpline: Offers limited legal advice and referrals for immigrants or loved ones affected by criminal issues. Call (212) 725-6422.
Request a Know Your Rights Workshop: (212) 725-6485, immigrantdefenseproject.org
Mailing Address: Immigrant Defense Project, P.O. Box 1765, New York, NY 10027.
Legal Information
Legal Information
Your Rights with ICE (WAISN)
The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network provides an illustrated handout with recommendations on what to do if you encounter ICE, which also mentions their hotline to report ICE activity, as well as to connect individuals with resources and support in English and Spanish, and provides another hotline with almost 300 other languages (844-724-3737 Mon-Fri 6:00 am to 6:00 pm). It also provides a text sign-up for text alert messages about potential ICE activity in your area in real-time within Washington state (text “ICE” or “Migra” to 509-300-4959). Additionally, it provides a comparison between Court orders and Immigration orders.
Red Cards
They are physical cards provided by immigrant rights organizations that summarize an individual’s basic constitutional rights when encountering immigration enforcement like ICE or CBP. They contain your undeniable rights regardless of immigration status under the 4th and 5th amendments, which protect us from unreasonable searches and our right to keep silent. These cards must then be provided to the agents to let them know you are exercising your rights. They can be printed out, and they are provided in the following languages:
Legal Council for Youth and Children (LCYC)
A PDF that serves as a proactive strategy to ensure the well-being and care for youth and children if their parents or guardians are detained, deported, or otherwise unable to provide care. The plan requires the identification of trusted caregivers, legal documentation and authorization, financial planning, emergency preparedness, communication plan, “know your rights” information, as well as community support networks.
NWIRP: A Guide to the Northwest Detention Center
A pamphlet that provides useful information to friends and family members of detainees at the Northwest Detention Center, and it also provides a link to the US ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
Returning/Voluntary Departure
If you’re facing the possibility of returning to your country of origin, there are communities and resources available to help you do so with dignity. This section provides emotional and logistical support during that transition.
Onward (Facebook group)
Support for students facing forced return.
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