Free Immigration Legal Services

In 2018, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) launched the California State University Immigration Legal Services Project. This project provides free immigration legal services to all current students, staff (state and auxiliary), faculty, immediate family members of current students, recent graduates (who graduated within two years), and newly admitted students who have accepted their admissions. At CSULB, this project is housed in the Dream Success Center, 

CARECEN LA's attorneys and legal assistants are available to provide in-person and virtual services, and representation, in the following matters:

  • General consultations
  • DACA Applications - PDF
    • Please note that our legal providers highly encourage students renewing their DACA to set up an appointment 180 days before the expiration date
  • Family petitions
  • Humanitarian relief
  • Removal Defense
  • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
  • Naturalization (Now offering $725 fee assistance*)
  • Other relief

*Please book an appointment to gather more information

Book An Appointment

To book an in person or virtual appointment with CARECEN's CSU Project, please click here: https://carecenla.simplybook.me/v2/

Our legal providers may be booked up to a month in advance so we ask that you please plan accordingly. 

After Booking Your Appointment

You will receive a confirmation email with additional information on how to prepare for your appointment.

What You Need to Get Started

  • An internet-connected computer, laptop, or mobile device/telephone for virtual appointments
  • A headset or earbuds

DACA Fee Assistance Application

If you are in the process of submitting a renewal DACA application and need help identifying financial sources, please make an appointment with our Coordinator Erick Peraza, or our Director Dr. Norma Salcedo. 

Removal Defense

CSULB-affiliated faculty, staff, students and their immediate family members who have been detained may be able to receive support from our CARECEN legal providers. If you find yourself needing removal defense support, please let your family know that they can contact CARECEN at CSUDeportationDefense@carecen-la.org or any of our CARECEN providers listed here.

In addition, if students or family members of students who need removal defense support would like to notify the university and/or get connected to resources, please call the Dream Success Center at 562-985-5869 and/or have them submit a referral online to our CSULB CARES Team. The purpose of the CARES Team is to provide a centralized structure for the campus community in our support of students. They provide early intervention and crisis mitigation for students through collaboration with campus departments, faculty, and staff. The CARES Team will review all information available to develop an individual action plan and provide ongoing case management support.

Information

Red cards with your constitutional rights listed are available at the DSC while supplies last.

red card

For further information on your rights, and how to handle and prepare for a potential encounter with enforcement officers view the following: