Immigrant Universal Representation and Holistic Support

Immigrant and Refugee Support

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

When an undocumented individual enters the U.S. seeking protection, he or she is put into immigration deportation proceedings. Unlike criminal proceedings, individuals facing deportation are not provided free legal counsel, though the stakes are incredibly high. They must either represent themselves or find legal counsel. Without legal representation, it is nearly impossible for immigrants to navigate the immigration system and most will be deported. Having competent, compassionate legal counsel is critical to ensuring indigent, vulnerable immigrants are afforded justice and dignity. The indigent, undocumented immigrants we serve are: survivors of trauma fleeing severe harm in their home countries; unaccompanied children escaping from dangerous circumstances; formerly separated families; detained adults; and long-term residents of the U.S. seeking to stay in their communities. In addition to legal services, these individuals are in great need of holistic services to promote wellness.

Esperanza is unique because our many sub-programs support a multi-pronged strategy that addresses the multiple challenges undocumented immigrants face. Esperanza's community education programs provide legal information to individuals in deportation proceedings so they can understand their options. Our state-wide call center for refugee children provides legal information and guidance, while our social services program offers holistic wellness support for the non-legal needs of refugee children. Esperanza represents hundreds in deportation proceedings, including children and families. Our pro bono program offers regular legal training and ongoing mentorship to hundreds of attorneys, increasing the capacity of the legal community to take on this work. Esperanza also runs the Unaccompanied Minors Collaborative, which brings together organizations serving refugee children, and the Removal Defense Collaborative for removal defense legal experts to come together. Both initiatives help member organizations achieve their goals and build community. A new initiative supported by this grant is the creation of the Community Engagement Fellow. This position would be filled by someone who shares a lived experience with our clients and wants to gain experience working in immigration justice. This new staff member would develop skills and gain experience while also earning a competitive wage. Esperanza and our clients would benefit by increasing our number of staff with lived experience.

More than one in five L.A. County residents are undocumented or live with someone who is undocumented. While a person's immigration status is a legal designation, this designation affects every aspect of their lives, from their ability to work, access to healthcare, stable housing and freedom to travel. Our vision of success is that indigent immigrants in L.A. County facing deportation can come to Esperanza for free legal representation and receive holistic services promoting whole-person wellness. These individuals are more than their legal designation; they deserve dignity, compassion, and services that reflect that. Our long-term vision of success is a future in which universal representation is available for all those in deportation proceedings. Our goal is to continue expanding the number of individuals we have the capacity to represent so that all immigrants in L.A. have access to pro bono counsel to assist in their defense during deportation proceedings.

Esperanza services are closely monitored. We are required to provide significant data to our funders to comply with Federal and State contracts. We quantify impact through measures such as the number of clients served, number of services offered, client satisfaction surveys, and client outcomes (clients granted relief, released from detention, receiving work permits and referrals, etc.). Feedback from funder audits and site visits for FY 2022-23 was highly complimentary. Removal defense is complicated and drawn out; many individuals will not have a pathway to remain in the U.S. Though the objective is to win legal relief for a client, at Esperanza success also means providing zealous representation, holding the government to their legal burden, ensuring clients understand their rights and options, and supporting clients through a challenging, complex legal process. Our client satisfaction surveys are overwhelmingly positive and we have expanded to keep up with demand for our services.