Concerns surrounding immigration enforcement have intensified in San Francisco, particularly during the Trump administration. In response, local advocacy group Mission Local has launched a comprehensive resource guide aimed at empowering community members to support immigrant rights. This initiative seeks to raise $300,000—specifically $100,000 annually for the remaining term of the Trump presidency—to hire a full-time immigration reporter to further investigate and report on these critical issues.
The guide is divided into three main areas: legal aid, volunteer opportunities, and training workshops. It aims to provide practical resources for those looking to assist immigrants facing challenges, including raids and detainment by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The San Francisco Rapid Response Network offers a 24-hour hotline at 415-200-1548 for reporting ICE activities.
Legal Aid Resources for Immigrants
Several organizations in San Francisco provide legal assistance to immigrants and their families at reduced costs. These groups also accept donations to help sustain their services.
Mission Action has evolved from a small shelter into a nonprofit that serves thousands annually. It provides legal support for immigration cases and leads the San Francisco Rapid Response Network. The organization employs four attorneys and coordinates attorney activation, raid verification, and legal services following detainment.
Contact Information:
Mission Action
938 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 282-6209 ext. 130
Email: [email protected]
The African Advocacy Network (AANSF) focuses on providing legal aid to African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants. As a partner of the San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative, AANSF has two attorneys and four accredited representatives who offer services in over ten languages. They also conduct “know your rights” training and immigration benefits workshops.
Contact Information:
AANSF
3106 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 234-3380
Another notable organization is CARACEN SF, which offers legal consultations and representation as well as educational resources for immigrants in Districts 6, 9, 10, and 11. The program is staffed by five attorneys and five paralegals.
Contact Information:
CARECEN SF
3413 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 642-4400
Email: [email protected]
La Raza Centro Legal is a grassroots organization that provides legal aid and defense for undocumented immigrants in San Francisco and San Mateo counties. With a staff of five attorneys and four paralegals, the organization also advocates for worker and tenant rights.
Contact Information:
La Raza Centro Legal
474 Valencia St., Suite 295
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 575-3500
Email: [email protected]
The Bar Association of San Francisco operates the Attorney of the Day Program, which places an attorney in immigration court to assist individuals facing deportation. This program often serves as the only legal resource available to asylum seekers prior to their potential arrest by ICE.
Contact Information:
Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco
50 Fremont St., Suite 1700
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 989-1616
Email: [email protected]
For clients from Asian and Pacific Islander communities, API Legal Outreach offers immigration services related to asylum, removal defense, and naturalization. Their programs also support victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Contact Information:
API Legal Outreach
1121 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 567-6255
The San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network consists of twelve community organizations representing diverse immigrant groups. They offer free legal defense and services in over twenty languages, partnering with Mission Action on the Rapid Response Network.
Contact Information:
SF Immigrant Legal and Education Network
938 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 282-6209
Email: [email protected]
Volunteer Opportunities and Training
Community members interested in supporting immigrant rights can engage through various volunteer opportunities. The National Lawyers Guild, S.F. Bay Area Chapter, offers a Collaborative Court Watch program that trains volunteers to monitor immigration hearings. This initiative aims to document violations of due process rights for immigrants.
For those willing to provide companionship during immigration hearings, Faith in Action Bay Area matches volunteers with clients seeking support in San Francisco immigration courts. Conversational Spanish is preferred for volunteers wishing to join this initiative.
Additionally, the San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative seeks volunteers for Spanish/English interpretation in immigration court and assistance with case preparations.
The Justice & Diversity Center at the Bar Association of San Francisco runs an Interpreter Project, training volunteers to become legal interpreters. These trained volunteers assist low-income clients and help with legal intakes at walk-in clinics.
Lastly, the San Francisco Immigrant Legal & Education Network offers workshops on individual rights and emergency family planning. They invite community members to attend or request sessions to bolster awareness and readiness.
The National Lawyers Guild also provides “Know Your Rights” training for immigrants and supporters, covering interactions with ICE and outlining both non-citizen and citizen rights.
Mission Local remains committed to addressing immigration enforcement issues in San Francisco through ongoing reporting and community engagement. As the Trump administration invests $170 billion in ICE, Mission Local’s initiative to secure funding for a dedicated immigration reporter highlights the urgent need for informed advocacy and support for vulnerable populations.
