Programs
The Welfare and Institution Code (WIC) 13300-13307 authorizes the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Immigration Services Bureau (ISB) to develop, implement, and administer comprehensive programs that fund nonprofits to provide pro bono immigration legal services, education and community outreach, and other essential immigrant inclusion and integration efforts for the most underserved immigrant populations and historically underserved regions.
Information about ISB's funding and programs can be found below with more detailed information on each program's specific webpage.
Immigration Services Funding
The purpose of the Immigration Services Funding (ISF) Program is to expand available immigration services and increase the number of immigrants receiving quality immigration legal services through qualified nonprofit organizations across the State. For more information regarding the ISF, requests for application, or other information, visit the Immigration Services Funding webpage.
Removal Defense
Under the Removal Defense (RD) program, the CDSS grants funds to selected qualified nonprofit organizations to provide removal defense legal services to immigrants, including but not limited to, representation of individuals in removal proceedings, representation for detained individuals in bond hearings, petitions for writ of habeas corpus, representation of family members in petitions or applications, and more. For more information regarding the RD program, requests for application, or other information, visit the Removal Defense webpage.
Youth Legal Services
Formerly known as the Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors (UUM) program, the Youth Legal Services (YLS), the CDSS provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide legal services to eligible UUMs, as defined in Section 279(g)(2) of Title 6 o the United States Code, and other Immigrant Youth (IT) and representation in administrative and/or judicial proceedings for Asylum, T-Visas, U-Visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and other legal remedies. For more information regarding the YLS program, requests for application, or other information, visit the Youth Legal Services webpage.
Other Programs and Projects
The CDSS also invests in immigrant critical assistance for emergency situations, equity initiatives, and special capacity building programs to increase immigration legal services availability for the most underserved immigrant populations and historically underserved regions. For more details about these different programs, visit the Other Projects webpage.