Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) provides FREE immigration legal services to students, staff, and faculty at San Diego and Imperial Counties community and state colleges. Highly qualified legal practitioners provide culturally competent, trauma-informed, reliable expertise to the campus community. Virtual and in-person appointments are available, however, on-site appointments are currently only at the following campuses:
*CSU San Marcos and San Diego State students, staff, and faculty: your immediate family members are also eligible for our services!
*CSU students can continue to receive free immigration legal services for TWO YEARS after graduation!
Services include:
Find out what to expect at your first intake appointment »
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HELS Frequently Asked Questions »
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For more information about the HELS program, call (858) 637-3345 or email [email protected].
For general information about JFS Immigration Services, call (858) 637-3365.
January 19, 2023
El Programa de HELS explique sus derechos básicos en caso de que usted o sus ser queridos estén expuestos a una situación con un oficial de inmigration.
November 15, 2022
The Higher Education Legal Services team discusses income-generating opportunities for students without work authorization. Guest speakers shared insights on how independent contracting, small businesses and other creative options.
October 13, 2022
There is a lot in the news about DACA and it’s important to stay up to date. Watch this Webinar for information about the DACA Rule going into effect on October 31, 2022 and the Court decision announced on October 5, 2022. Please note the Webinar is up to date as of October 13, 2022.
September 29, 2022
Everyone should know their rights! Check out this webinar that explains the rights that we all have when in the presence of law enforcement and how to exercise them. Please note the information is accurate as of September 29, 2022.
July 21, 2022
If you are interested to learn the process to petition for a family member to get a green card, check out this recorded webinar. Please note that the information provided is accurate as of July 21, 2022.
February 1, 2022
Missed this presentation? No problem! Join our Higher Education Legal Services team as we dive in to DACA updates and discuss advance parole fundamentals: who qualifies, what is needed to apply, case processing, and more.
April 13, 2022
Missed this presentation? No problem! Learn about the AB60 California Driver’s License and how this law may interact with you.
April 28, 2022
Missed this presentation? No problem! Learn about immigration topics including types of status, agencies involved, citizenship, immigration, and your rights as an immigrant in the USA.
Family Emergency Preparedness Plan/Plan de Preparacion de Emergencia Familiar
Resources
Apply
US Citizenship and Immigration Services COVID-19 Updates
CA Employment Development Department – Unemployment and Other Benefits
CA Department of Social Services – CDSS
IRS – Taxes
San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC) – Relief fund for those that do not qualify for unemployment
In a national report from November 2021, CAP analysis finds that DACA recipient households pay $6.2 billion in federal taxes and $3.3 billion in state and local taxes each year — that’s $9.5 billion that support communities across America.
Approximately 29,000 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, dentists, physician assistants, and pharmacists, rely on DACA protections to be able to provide critical care to communities across the country. (The Center for American Progress)
DACA recipients and their households are critical, too, in local economies. After taxes, these households hold $25.3 billion in spending power. They own 68,000 homes, making $760 million in mortgage payments and $2.5 billion in rental payments annually, money that could be in jeopardy if DACA goes away.
All information submitted is confidential and will not be shared with government or other agencies.
