Other Programs and Projects
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Immigration Services Bureau (ISB) develops, implements, and administers comprehensive programs that fund nonprofits to provide pro bono immigration legal services, education and community outreach, and other essential immigrant inclusion and integration efforts. The CDSS also invests in immigrant equity initiatives and special capacity building programs to increase immigration legal services availability for the most underserved immigrant populations and historically underserved regions. See below for more information on specific projects.
Immigration Legal Fellowship Project
The Budget Act of 2019 appropriated $4.7 million and authorized the CDSS to create the first state-funded immigration legal fellowship. The Immigration Legal Fellowship Project (ILFP) aims to increase the number of removal defense attorneys and the capacity of nonprofit organizations to provide removal defense services in California’s Central Coast and Central Valley. Review the ILFP Provider list to view contact information for organizations who can assist with specific cases and needs.
Detained Representation Project
The Detained Representation (DR) Project supports the provision of legal services for individuals currently held in immigration detention in California. This funding, authorized under Special Session Senate Bill (SBX 1-2), is intended to respond to the evolving legal needs of vulnerable immigrant communities impacted by federal changes to immigration policy and regulations. The DR Project addresses critical service gaps, expand access to immigration legal services for detained individuals, and support innovative strategies to improve detained legal service delivery and respond to evolving needs across the state.
The CDSS is conducting an open, competitive Request for Application (RFA) process to fund DR services for the grant term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. Carefully review the DR RFA Overview to determine whether your organization meets the eligibility criteria to apply.
The application consists of two (2) required parts:
- Completion of the SurveyMonkey application form,
- Download and submission of the DR Service Location and Budget Worksheet submitted to ISB-RFA@dss.ca.gov.
Other documents needed for submission or can be used for reference:
The DR RFA period closes on June 4, 2025 at 11:59pm. Any questions can be directed to ISB-RFA@dss.ca.gov.