Immigration Resources in the San Francisco Bay Area: Legal Help and Community Support

Last Updated: February 2026

The San Francisco Bay Area has a long history of welcoming immigrants and defending their rights. Whether you live in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, or anywhere in the surrounding region, this comprehensive guide will help you find the legal assistance, community services, and information you need.

The Bay Area is home to more than two million immigrants who contribute to every facet of the region’s culture, economy, and civic life. From the tech workers of Silicon Valley to the farmworkers of the North Bay, from the small business owners of the Mission District to the families in East Oakland, immigrants are woven into the fabric of this community.

But even in one of the most immigrant-friendly regions in the country, navigating the immigration system remains complex and stressful. The current political climate has heightened anxiety for many families. This guide compiles the most important immigration resources available in the San Francisco Bay Area — including free legal services, community organizations, sanctuary city protections, know-your-rights guidance, and consulate information — so you have everything you need in one place.

Free and Low-Cost Immigration Legal Services in the Bay Area

The Bay Area has a strong network of legal aid organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services.

Bay Area Legal Aid (BALA)

• Website: baylegal.org
• Phone: (415) 982-1300 (SF office) or apply for services online
• Services: Free civil legal services for low-income individuals, including immigration matters such as VAWA, U Visa, T Visa, SIJS, asylum, TPS, naturalization, and DACA
• Languages: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and others
• Locations: Offices in San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, San Mateo, and other Bay Area locations
• Notes: BALA is one of the largest legal aid providers in the Bay Area, serving seven counties. Their immigration practice focuses on humanitarian cases and serves some of the most vulnerable community members.

Centro Legal de la Raza

• Website: centrolegal.org
• Phone: (510) 437-1554
• Services: Immigration legal services including removal defense, asylum, DACA, family petitions, naturalization, VAWA, U/T Visas, and SIJS. Also provides deportation defense through their representation programs.
• Languages: English, Spanish
• Location: 3400 E. 12th St., Oakland, CA 94601 (and satellite locations)
• Notes: A cornerstone of Oakland’s immigrant community since 1969. Centro Legal combines direct legal services with community education and advocacy. They also operate a legal hotline and conduct regular know-your-rights presentations.

Asian Law Caucus (Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Asian Law Caucus)

• Website: advancingjustice-alc.org
• Phone: (415) 896-1701
• Services: Immigration legal services for Asian and Pacific Islander communities, including deportation defense, asylum, family reunification, naturalization, and advocacy for immigrant rights
• Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, and others
• Location: 55 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94111
• Notes: Founded in 1972, Asian Law Caucus was the first legal organization in the country focused on the Asian American community. Their immigration practice serves clients of all backgrounds.

Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)

• Website: ilrc.org
• Phone: (415) 255-9499
• Services: While primarily a training and policy organization, ILRC provides valuable resources including practice advisories, legal guides, and community education materials. They also run the New Americans Campaign to promote naturalization.
• Languages: English, Spanish
• Location: San Francisco
• Notes: ILRC’s resources — particularly their practice manuals and “red cards” explaining rights during ICE encounters — are invaluable for immigrants and advocates alike.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

• Website: catholiccharitiessf.org
• Phone: (415) 972-1200
• Services: Immigration legal services including naturalization, DACA, family petitions, consultations, and referrals. Also provides social services, housing assistance, and refugee resettlement.
• Languages: English, Spanish, Cantonese, and others
• Locations: San Francisco and Marin County offices

International Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA)

• Website: iibayarea.org
• Phone: (650) 780-7500
• Services: Immigration legal services including family petitions, naturalization, DACA, asylum referrals, and legal screenings. Also provides ESL classes, workforce development, and social services.
• Languages: English, Spanish, and many others
• Locations: San Francisco, Redwood City, San Jose, Oakland

Legal Aid at Work

• Website: legalaidatwork.org
• Phone: (415) 864-8848
• Services: Free legal services at the intersection of immigration and employment law, including assistance for workers who have experienced labor trafficking, wage theft, or workplace exploitation. Can assist with U Visas and T Visas related to workplace crimes.
• Languages: English, Spanish
• Location: San Francisco

San Francisco Public Defender’s Office — Immigration Unit

• Phone: (415) 553-1671
• Services: Immigration consequences advisement for individuals in criminal proceedings, post-conviction relief, and referrals for immigration legal services
• Notes: If you have a criminal case and are concerned about immigration consequences, the Public Defender’s immigration unit can help assess the impact.

Sanctuary City and County Policies in the Bay Area

The Bay Area has some of the strongest sanctuary protections in California — and in the nation. Here is what “sanctuary” means in practice:

Oakland — Sanctuary City

Oakland has a longstanding sanctuary policy that limits city cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Oakland City Council has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to protecting immigrant residents.

San Jose — Sanctuary City

San Jose has adopted policies limiting cooperation with ICE and has funded legal services for immigrants facing deportation. The city also supports a rapid response network for ICE activity.

Marin County

Marin County has adopted immigrant-friendly policies and supports access to services regardless of immigration status. Bueno Immigration’s San Rafael office is located in Marin County, providing convenient access to legal services for North Bay residents.

Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County was one of the first counties in California to adopt a policy refusing to honor ICE detainer requests (in 2011). The county also funds immigration legal services and has declared itself a “safe county” for immigrants.

California State Protections

In addition to local policies, all Bay Area residents benefit from California state protections:

• California Values Act (SB 54): Limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
• SB 281: Prohibits landlords from threatening tenants with immigration-related retaliation
• AB 60: Allows all California residents to obtain a driver’s license regardless of immigration status
• California TRUST Act: Limits the circumstances under which local jails can hold individuals for ICE
• Full-scope Medi-Cal: Available to all income-eligible California residents regardless of immigration status

Community Organizations and Support Services

Canal Alliance (San Rafael / Marin County)

• Website: canalalliance.org
• Phone: (415) 454-2640
• Services: Immigration legal services, education programs, workforce development, and community advocacy for Latino immigrants in Marin County
• Location: 91 Larkspur St., San Rafael, CA 94901
• Notes: Canal Alliance is the leading organization serving the immigrant community in Marin County. Located near Bueno Immigration’s San Rafael office, they are a valuable partner in the North Bay immigrant community.

CARECEN SF (Central American Resource Center)

• Website: carecensf.org
• Phone: (415) 642-4400
• Services: Immigration legal services, workforce development, community organizing, and social services for Central American and other immigrant communities
• Location: 3101 Mission St., Suite 101, San Francisco, CA 94110

La Raza Community Resource Center

• Services: Referrals, information, and community support for Latino families in San Francisco
• Location: Mission District, San Francisco

Sacred Heart Community Service (San Jose)

• Website: sacredheartcs.org
• Phone: (408) 278-2160
• Services: Food, clothing, housing assistance, workforce training, immigration legal referrals, and advocacy
• Location: 1381 S. First St., San Jose, CA 95110

211 Bay Area

• Phone: Dial 2-1-1
• Website: 211bayarea.org
• Services: Connects residents with health and social services, including food assistance, shelter, healthcare, and legal referrals. Available regardless of immigration status.

Our dedicated team provides comprehensive immigration legal services throughout the Bay Area

Consulate Locations in the Bay Area

Consulates can provide passports, identity documents, and other services for their nationals. Key consulates in the Bay Area include:

Bay Area Rapid Response Network

The Bay Area Rapid Response Network is a coalition of community organizations that respond when ICE conducts enforcement operations in the Bay Area.

Healthcare Access Regardless of Immigration Status

All Bay Area residents, regardless of immigration status, can access healthcare through several programs:

Full-Scope Medi-Cal

California has expanded Medi-Cal eligibility to all income-eligible residents, regardless of immigration status. If your income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for free comprehensive health coverage.

Healthy San Francisco

San Francisco’s universal healthcare access program provides healthcare to uninsured San Francisco residents who do not qualify for other coverage, regardless of immigration status or pre-existing conditions.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center / Valley Health Plan

Santa Clara County operates a safety-net healthcare system that serves all residents regardless of ability to pay or immigration status.

Community Health Centers (FQHCs)

Federally Qualified Health Centers provide care on a sliding-fee scale to all patients. Key Bay Area FQHCs include:

• La Clinica de la Raza — Locations throughout the East Bay
• North East Medical Services (NEMS) — San Francisco and Daly City
• Ravenswood Family Health Network — East Palo Alto
• Gardner Health Services — San Jose and Gilroy
• Marin Community Clinics — San Rafael, Novato, and other Marin locations

Education Rights

All children in the Bay Area — and throughout California — have the right to attend public school regardless of immigration status. This is guaranteed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Plyler v. Doe (1982) and reinforced by California state law.

Know Your Rights: What to Do If Stopped by ICE

Knowing your rights can protect you during an encounter with immigration enforcement. Here is what every Bay Area resident should know:

At Work

• ICE generally needs a judicial warrant to enter non-public areas of a workplace
• You have the right to remain silent during a workplace raid
• Your employer cannot retaliate against you for exercising your rights
• California Labor Code Section 1019 prohibits employers from threatening to contact immigration authorities as retaliation

If You Are Detained

• Say: “I want to speak with my attorney.”
• Do not sign any documents without first speaking to an attorney
• Do not provide information about where you were born or how you entered the U.S.
• You have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge in most cases
• You have the right to contact your consulate
• Memorize your attorney’s phone number and your A-number if you have one

How Bueno Immigration Serves the Bay Area

Bueno Immigration’s San Rafael office is strategically located to serve the entire Bay Area — from Marin County and Sonoma County in the North Bay to San Francisco, the East Bay, and the Peninsula. We also serve clients in San Jose and throughout the South Bay.

Our team handles a full range of immigration matters for Bay Area residents, including:

• Asylum and refugee protection
• Family-based immigration and Green Card petitions
• VAWA, U Visa, and T Visa cases
• Deportation defense and removal proceedings
• Naturalization and citizenship
• Consultations and case evaluations

As a firm with deep roots in the Bay Area immigrant community, we understand the unique needs of this region — from the high cost of living that affects Affidavit of Support calculations to the specific dynamics of the San Francisco Immigration Court.

We are proud to be part of the Bay Area’s tradition of welcoming and defending immigrant communities.

Expert immigration legal services for the entire Bay Area

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The resources listed in this guide are provided for reference and may change over time — we encourage you to verify current information directly with each organization. Every immigration case is unique, and the information provided here may not apply to your specific situation. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Bueno Immigration. For advice about your individual case, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and this post reflects the law as of the date of publication.