Immigrants Rising Up Together

Immigrant and refugee support

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

LA County is home to approximately 3.5 million immigrants, reflecting a wide range of statuses, cultures, and languages. An estimated 8% are undocumented. The immigrants we serve include survivors of trauma, unaccompanied children, detained adults, indigent individuals, and long-term residents seeking to remain in their communities. As anti-immigrant rhetoric grows and legal protections erode, accessible, culturally responsive legal services are more critical than ever. Unlike in the criminal justice system, immigrants in deportation proceedings are not provided free legal counsel. They must represent themselves or find help on their own. Many go unrepresented and must navigate a complex legal system without guidance, resulting in the deportation of individuals with viable legal claims. Competent, compassionate legal support is essential to ensuring immigrants are treated with dignity and afforded meaningful access to justice.

Esperanza seeks funding to continue delivering vital legal education and support to immigrant communities in Los Angeles. Our “Know Your Rights” (KYR) presentations provide clear, accessible information about legal rights, the immigration court process, and available legal pathways. These sessions empower immigrants—especially those at risk of deportation—with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. In addition to KYR presentations, we offer free legal consultations and referrals to trustworthy attorneys or legal clinics. Our team of expert attorneys and legal advocates also help community members assess their legal options and understand how to respond to contact with immigration enforcement. Esperanza’s approach is rooted in removal defense and humanitarian relief, and our team is trained in trauma-informed practices to work effectively with vulnerable populations, including unaccompanied children, survivors of violence, and long-term residents. While we integrate case management to support broader stability, the core of our work is ensuring immigrants understand and assert their legal rights. By providing timely, accurate legal information and support, Esperanza helps prevent deportations and promotes access to justice.

More than 1 in 5 LA County residents are undocumented or live with someone who is. Immigration status affects every part of life—from work and healthcare to housing and safety. As enforcement increases, it’s critical that immigrants know their rights and legal options. In the short term, this grant will allow Esperanza to provide free legal education, consultations, and referrals to more vulnerable immigrants facing deportation. Our trauma-informed approach ensures that legal services support whole-person wellness. In the long term, we aim to expand our capacity to provide pro bono representation so that no immigrant in LA faces deportation alone. Our broader vision is a transformed LA County where immigrants are treated with dignity, protected from unjust deportation, and supported by a legal system rooted in fairness rather than punishment.