FREE Legal Aid

I'm NOT Jewish - Can I Participate?

Yes; you definitely can! You do not need to be Jewish or affiliated with the Jewish religion or the State of Israel to access services. Jewish Family Service of San Diego was founded in 1918 when it began serving Jewish refugees. As time passed, the list of services expanded and now, at JFS and the Higher Education Legal Services, we offer services to the community in general.

I'm NOT Affiliated with Miramar College - Can I Access the Program?

Possibly; keep reading. The Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) program provides services to eight CA Community Colleges in the San Diego and Imperial Valley region. HELS also provides services to two California State University campuses: San Diego State University and California State University at San Marcos. At the CSU level, HELS is able to provide services to current students, staff, faculty and their immediate relatives such as spouse, parents, children, and siblings.

I'm NOT Affiliated with Any CA College or University - What Services are Available to me?

Anyone not currently affiliated to a CA Community College or California State University campus may receive services with JFS’ General Immigration Services Department. To schedule an appointment, please email immigration@jfssd.org or call (858) 637-3365. If there is no answer, make sure to leave a message with your name, number, and reason for calling as missed calls are not returned.

Stop! If you are not sure if or how you qualify, schedule an appointment with a Miramar Dreamers Support staff member first and we will explain your options.

I'm Concerned About Privacy - Will Miramar College Know What I Talk to HELS About?

No; never! JFS and HELS abide by the HIPAA Act of 1996. Services are confidential from the moment an appointment is scheduled. This means that HELS will not be sharing client/potential client’s information with anyone outside of their office unless written consent has been provided by the client/potential client via our Consent to Release of Information form.

For example, in instances where a student is being referred or assisted by a faculty/staff in scheduling an appointment, HELS cannot confirm or deny to the faculty/staff if the student attended the appointment or not. Also, HELS will not communicate any details of the case to anyone other than the client/potential client and anyone included in the Consent to Release of Information.

Furthermore, in instances where a student is being referred or assisted by a faculty/staff in scheduling an appointment, college employees are bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

• Start a personal fundraising page on GoFundMe
• Send letters and emails to select friends or family members asking for assistance
• Instead of gifts for your birthday, ask for money to help you pay for the renewal request

• Talk to your employer and ask if they can cover the cost of your renewal fee to minimize the risk that your employment would be disrupted while awaiting a decision on your DACA and work permit renewal
• If you are a member of a faith group, reach out to your house of worship; they may be willing to help

• Use the Informed Immigrant DACA clinic map to search for DACA renewal clinics in your area.
• Use the Informed Immigrant Legal Service Directory to find a pro bono legal service organization near you.
• If you are a DACA beneficiary of Mexican origin, approach your consulate for an immigration screening and individualized legal assistance. Call 855-463-6395 or find a list of local Mexican Consulates.

Students focus on the development of English language skills and knowledge of American History and Government. Students also prepare for the citizenship application, the Government and History Test, and the final United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) interview.

• Classes are free
• Online options are available

Learn More

The Immigration Legal Services Department at Jewish Family Services of San Diego offers 10-week citizenship courses. We will classes are offered from February 20 – April 24, 2024.

What you will learn:

• English speaking, reading & writing skills you’ll need for the interview
• U.S. Geography
• Early America
• U.S. founding documents
• U.S. system of Government
• People who made history
• Civil Rights in America
• Events that shaped the world
• American symbols and holidays
• How to participate in government
• Your rights and responsibilities
• How to apply for Naturalization
• Digital skills you’ll need to succeed

Learn More

The International Rescue Committee, San Diego, offers FREE citizenship test prep! You must have a valid Green Card (Lawful Permanent Resident) and be eligible to apply for U.S. Citizenship.

In-person and remote classes are available, and all classes are taught in English. You will practice reading, writing, understanding, and speaking English for the interview, and students also learn about American history and civics using the 100-question Civic Test as a guide.

Students can receive a FREE book and other study materials at a designated time and place, during the first week of classes. Upon completion of the course, students are eligible for free (remote) citizenship application preparation with the IRC.

To register please send an email to immigration.sd@rescue.org or call (619) 641-7510 ext. 250

Naturalization is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. The below fee schedule is updated as of April 1, 2024.

• Fill out the DL – 44 license application
• Pay $33 for the application fee
• Prove your identity
• Prove that you live in CA
• Give a thumbprint, have your picture taken, and pass a vision test
• Pass a written test to prove that you know the rules of the road. Remember to bring proof of auto insurance!

Make an appointment with the DMV to apply for an AB 60 license by calling 1-800-777-0133 or make an appointment online at dmv.ca.gov/portal/appointments.

Note: AB 60 driver’s licenses have a visible distinguishing mark which only allows them to be used for driving and cannot be used for federal or other purposes such as boarding a plane. If you have concerns with applying for a driver’s license because of your immigration or criminal record, we suggest that you talk to an attorney before you apply.

You do not need to pay anyone for information or services to help you apply for the AB 60 licenses. If anyone is charging you for this, they are breaking the law. Source: Alliance San Diego

• Alliance for African Assistance - Provides low-cost immigration and naturalization services including adjustment of status, application for naturalization, asylum and refugees, consular processing, relative petitions, and replacement of lost/damages USCIS documents.
• Alliance San Diego - Non-profit providing one-on-one consultations and application assistance for citizenship, Green Card renewals, DACA, TPS, work authorization renewals, and FOIA requests.
• Casa Cornelia - Provides free (known as pro-bono) counsel and representation to eligible unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers, and immigrant victims of crimes such as domestic violence, forced employment, and/or forced or coerced sex work.
• Catholic Charities - Provides low-cost immigration services to eligible persons with an emphasis on family reunification, empowerment, and social integration.
• Consulado General de México en San Diego (Mexican Consulate, San Diego) - Government website.
• Legal Aid Society of San Diego - Naturalization & citizenship, removal defense, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, Green Card renewal, waivers
• Immi - Online resource screening tool for legal information and referrals to nonprofit legal services organizations.
• Immigrants Rising - Immigration Legal Intake Service: an online survey to help undocumented young people learn about possible immigration options.
• International Rescue Committee - Opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants including resettlement, employment development, citizenship services, and more.
• Public Law Center - Assistance for low-income immigrants in filing for various forms of immigration relief with a focus on victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, victims of serious crimes, unaccompanied minors, and immigrants who wish to apply for citizenship.
• The State Bar 🚨Caution🚨 You may be asked to pay expensive legal fees if you contact independent legal counsel for a consultation or services. Always ask whether services are free or require payment before speaking with an immigration attorney. Legal Services Resources for Immigrants: San Diego County.
• Unitarian Universalist Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education (UURISE) - Provides low-cost and no-cost immigration legal services to help clients access the protections and benefits available under current immigration laws.