Immigration Resources
Parents’ fear of detention and deportation has been heightened by recent actions by the federal government and has become a priority issue affecting young children and their families throughout Los Angeles County. All families, including immigrant families, have a right to engage with the public systems that exist to serve their health, education and caregiving needs. There are organizations throughout the county that provide resources to help parents understand their rights to receive services for their young children and offer ways for parents to initiate conversations with their children about community stress and separation.
Public Charge Ruling Updated August 14, 2019
The Trump Administration’s final rule to expand the definition of a public charge for immigrants seeking to legally adjust their status was released on August 13, 2019 despite over 260,000 public comments, many of which in opposition, were submitted. In response to the new rule, First 5 LA along with our First 5 partners released a joint statement opposing the public charge expansion as it will have an incredibly adverse effect on children and families in Los Angeles County and throughout California. The rule is expected to go into effect – pending potential lawsuits – on October 15, 2019. Since February 2018, First 5 LA has actively opposed the public charge through local, state and federal advocacy with our legislative leaders, also by signing onto nationwide coalition letters, and supporting immigration panel discussions, media ads, and townhalls to elevate the importance among our early childhood partners.
First 5's Joint Press Release Statement (August 13, 2019): LEADING CALIFORNIA EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVOCATES OPPOSE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S “PUBLIC CHARGE” RULE
PARTNER RESOURCES
Protecting
Immigrant Families
https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/community-education-resources/
What is public charge? “Public charge” or the “public charge
test” is used by immigration officials to decide whether a person can enter the
U.S. or get a green card (Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status). In this
test, officials look at all of a person’s circumstances, including income,
employment, health, education or skills, family situation and whether a sponsor
signed a contract (“affidavit of support”) promising to support the person.
Officials can also look at whether a person has used specific benefit programs.
The public charge test does not apply to green card holders who are applying
for U.S. citizenship.
- Let’s Talk About Public Charge - This resource is designed to help immigrants, mixed-status families, and communities understand the core elements of public charge.
- Updated Fact Sheet - This resources explains key elements of the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized rule and the changes from previous public charge policy.
- Getting the Help You Need - This resource is designed for people that work directly with immigrant families to help them understand whether they are subject to public charge.
- You Have Rights: Protect Your Health - Available in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic and more languages coming soon. This resource is designed to help mixed-status families know more about their rights when it comes to going to the doctor or enrolling in health insurance.
Some Things to Keep in Mind:
- The rule is not in effect yet. It will apply only to applications submitted on or after October 15, 2019. Newly-named benefits used prior to that date will not be considered.
- Not everyone is subject to the rule. Many immigrants are exempt from the public charge inadmissibility ground. Benefits used by family members will not be counted.
- Positive factors can be weighed against negative factors in this forward-looking test.
- Every situation is different. You can consult with an immigration attorney if you have questions about your own case.
For more information, visit protectingimmigrantfamilies.org
Immigrant Legal Resource Center
https://www.ilrc.org/
Many immigrant families will remain eligible for needed services and will not be legally impacted by changes to the public charge rule.
- Public Charge - A summary of the main public charge provisions.
Care, Cope, Connect Guide
English » | Spanish » | Arabic » | Korean »
Today’s families are addressing complicated issues. To help navigate the difficult conversations around community stress, trauma, and separation from loved ones, First 5 Association of California consulted with Sesame Street in Communities to create the Care, Cope, Connect guide. This resource provides:
- Tips for parents on caring for themselves and their children during tough times
- Ways for families to cope with difficult times together
- Guidelines on talking with kids and helping everyone stay connected to their families and communities
Legal Aid
Bet Tzedek
https://www.bettzedek.org/
For
the past 40 years, Bet Tzedek has provided free, comprehensive legal
services for low-income individuals and families in Los Angeles, proving
that access to justice makes a difference in people’s lives. We seek to
empower the more than 20,000 people we serve every year with the help
of hundreds of pro bono attorneys and volunteers.
Immigration Law Help
https://www.immigrationlawhelp.org/
ImmigrationLawHelp.org
is a searchable online directory of over 1,000 free or low-cost
nonprofit immigration legal services providers in all 50 states.
Legal Aid Foundation of LA
https://lafla.org/
Since
1929, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles has provided civil legal aid
to poor and low-income people in Los Angeles County.
Neighborhood Legal Services
http://www.nlsla.org/
Neighborhood
Legal Services is a steadfast advocate for individuals, families and
communities throughout Los Angeles County. Through a combination of
individual representation, high impact litigation and public policy
advocacy, NLSLA combats the immediate and long-lasting effects of
poverty and expands access to health, opportunity, and justice in Los
Angeles’ diverse neighborhoods.
Public Counsel
http://www.publiccounsel.org/
Public
Counsel's activities are far-ranging and impact a wide spectrum of
people who live at or below the poverty level. Volunteer attorneys have
the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects-large and
small, litigation and transactional matters. Our staff provides
training, model pleadings and forms and consultations to volunteers.
Citizenship Awareness and Application Process
COFEM
www.cofem.org
“The
mission of the Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM)
is to empower immigrant communities to be full participants in the
social, political, economic, and cultural life of the United States and
their home country. We accomplish this work by uniting, strengthening,
and expanding our member organizations to better advocate, preserve and
share their cultural traditions and help improve the lives of families
and friends in their country of origin”.
NALEO
http://www.naleo.org/
NALEO
Educational Fund is the nation’s leading non-profit, non-partisan
organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American
political process, from citizenship to public service.
¡Protégete!…¡Ciudadanía Ya!
http://ciudadaniaya.info/home/
¡Protégete!…¡Ciudadanía
Ya!, is an historic community-based campaign that will educate and
motivate the more than 755,000 eligible legal permanent residents (LPRs)
in Los Angeles County to apply for citizenship. Born out of Mayor Eric
Garcetti’s Step Forward LA initiative, the campaign brings together a
multi-sector coalition of the region’s most prominent immigrant rights
organizations, local elected officials, philanthropic organizations and
Spanish-language media companies. The coalition will mount a coordinated
effort to inform eligible LPRs about the process, and expand access to
trustworthy naturalization services in every corner of the region.
Children and Family Services
Children’s Bureau
https://www.all4kids.org/about/mission-vision/
Protecting vulnerable children through prevention, treatment, and advocacy
The Children’s Partnership
http://www.childrenspartnership.org/
For informational resources and updates on DACA, visit childrenspartnership.org/what-we-do/immigration
Bresee
http://bresee.org/
The
Bresee Foundation’s mission is to provide comprehensive after-school
programs and family services that equip young people to pursue their
education, achieve their full potential, and serve others.
LAUSD: Resource and Information Guide for Students and Families
https://achieve.lausd.net/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centr...
The
toolkit is designed to provide information and resources for Students
and Families enrolling and currently enrolled within the LAUSD. This
information can also be used to support other student populations (such
as foster care youth, homeless youth) in the District.
SPIRITT Family Services
http://www.spiritt.org/
Established
in 1972, SPIRITT Family Services provides crisis intervention, life
skills and hope for a stable, nurturing and healthy family for families
in eastern Los Angeles County. With nearly 8,000 individuals served each
year, SPIRITT’s strength-based family-centered approach is designed to
increase an individual and family’s protective factors. SPIRITT Family
Services staff provides innovated, culturally-sensitive, evidence-based
and compassionate solutions to children, youth, adults and families.
Common Sense Media - Whatever your political stance, this issue is one of basic human rights. We are all navigating these difficult days with our families, bombarded by newscasts and social media, and you may be struggling to discuss unfamiliar topics or looking for ways to take action. Common Sense Media has developed tips on how to help talk to kids about the news of family separations at the border.
English: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-to-talk-...
Spanish: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/espanol/blog/como...
Community Advocacy and/or Immigration Services
Advancement Project
http://www.advancementproject.org/
Advancement
Project is a next generation, multi-racial civil rights organization.
Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we
exist to fulfill America's promise of a caring, inclusive and just
democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social
movements and achieve high impact policy change.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
http://advancingjustice-aajc.org/
Fighting for civil rights and empowering Asian Americans to create a more just America for all.
CARECEN
http://www.carecen-la.org/
CARECEN
empowers Central Americans and all immigrants by defending human and
civil rights, working for social and economic justice and promoting
cultural diversity.
CHIRLA: Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
http://www.chirla.org/ The largest California-based immigrant rights organization, CHIRLA is recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to provide immigration legal services at low-cost to its members. All legal staff and volunteers at CHIRLA are supervised by licensed attorneys, BIA-accredited representatives, Juris Doctors, a
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