Free Immigration Legal Services
Mt. SAC students, staff, and faculty can receive free immigration legal services through CARECEN-LA, an immigrant rights non-profit organization that partners with our college. Their legal support team includes a paralegal assistant and an accredited immigration attorney who can support with:
- Legal Screenings
- DACA Initial and Renewals Applications
- Citizenship Applications
- Family Petitions
- Adjustment of Status
- U-Visa Applications
- Special Juvenile Immigrant Status (SJIS)
- Violence Against Women Act Applications
- Any immigration-related matter
Currently enrolled Mt. SAC students may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their DACA applications. To learn if you qualify, please schedule an appointment with CARECEN by clicking on the button below.
I'm undocumented. Do I have legal rights?
- Even if you're in the United States without permission or proper immigration documents, various sections of the U.S. Constitution apply to you. There is a particularly important provision of the Fourteenth Amendment stating that, "No state shall . . . deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
- An undocumented immigrant is definitely a "person". In brief, this means that you are owed such procedural rights as a jury trial and the right to defend yourself against the charges if arrested; and if someone sues you over a civil matter, that you have the right to receive notice and to defend yourself in court.
- Various criminal charge-related amendments to the Constitution (including the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and 14th) also apply. These protect undocumented immigrants against unlawful search and seizure by law enforcement authorities (without probable cause and a warrant for such an action) and against self-incrimination.
- Undocumented immigrants have the right to file lawsuits, such as discrimination suits, in federal court. State laws vary, but some jurisdictions give an undocumented immigrant the right to sue in state court, as well.
- Even if you're in the United States without permission or proper immigration documents, various sections of the U.S. Constitution apply to you. There is a particularly important provision of the Fourteenth Amendment stating that, "No state shall . . . deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
- You have the right to defend yourself against deportation or removal from the United States. If immigration officials discover that you're living in the country illegally, you have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge in the Executive Office for Immigration Review or EOIR (unless you've returned to the U.S. after a previous order of deportation). The U.S. government can't, in most cases, simply send you home without a hearing.
- Like any employee, you have the right to be paid for the work you do, at minimum wage, at least, plus overtime pay when legally required. Like other workers, you also have the right to healthy and safe conditions on the job, free from abuse, exploitation, or sexual harassment. These rights are all too often violated, however, because employers know the workers don't want to reveal their undocumented status.
Legal Disclaimer
The DREAM Program is composed of staff that feel a strong connection and passion for social justice. We hope that the information provided by the DREAM Program will give you a better understanding about certain policies and how they affect the life of an undocumented student and her/his family. However, all information provided is intended for informational purposes only and should NOT substitute legal advice from an accredited attorney. This is why we take no responsibility if you rely on information based on the legal information provided by the DREAM Program. All information provided by the DREAM Program is compiled from different legal resources and thus we encourage you to seek legal advice, as your facts are unique and because each situation requires analysis from many different perspectives. Although we try to be as timely and accurate as possible, please be aware that immigration is a constantly evolving area of law and that you should consult with an attorney to discuss your specific facts and determine if there have been any recent changes to immigration policies or laws that may affect you. The DREAM Program assumes no liability for the use or interpretation of information contained herein. The information is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Lastly, please be aware that the DREAM Program nor the use of legal information provided by the program creates an attorney-client relationship.
