Resources

To find legal services funded by the State, view the Legal Services Providers’ Information webpage to find the nearest provider. These providers can provide direct information to your specific situation and can provide free legal consultations.

The resources below are not endorsed or sponsored by the State or CDSS, and these are solely resources available for the general public.

Toolkits

Family Preparedness Plan. Every family should have a family preparedness plan in case of an emergency. It is critical to think ahead and set concrete plans for immigration emergencies that can arise. Visit Immigration Legal Resource Center’s Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan toolkit for steps on how to prepare yourself and your family.

Other Resources

California Governor's Office Immigration Resources. These resources can help answer those questions. The resources are for families and groups that engage immigrant families, such as schools, local governments, and community organizations. Visit the California Governor's website for resources for immigrants and local government agencies. 

Know Your Rights. Immigrants who are stopped, arrested, or detained by Immigration or other law enforcement have certain rights. The National Immigration Law Center’s Know Your Rights webpage has vital information that can be useful. However, this is general advice and you should consult an immigration lawyer for questions specific to your situation.

If you encounter a federal immigration action, you are also entitled to certain rights. It is important to remember the following if you are affected:

• You can observe and record public immigration arrests but stay calm and at a safe distance to avoid any risks.
• Do not interfere or argue with federal agents. Any physical or verbal escalation can put you and your safety at risk and may lead to criminal charges.
• Agents do not need a judge-signed warrant to arrest someone in public; however, they do need one to enter non-public areas of private property.
• Prepare yourself and your family in case you are arrested.

For further information, view the Governor’s office factsheets available in English and in Spanish.

California Attorney General Immigration Resources. Visit the Attorney General’s Immigration webpage for information regarding your rights, scams, and other vital information.

Immigration Law Help. The Immigration Law Help webpage is for low-income immigrants needing legal help across the United States, by searching using a zip code or the name of a detention facility.