Protecting Access to Immigration Justice in the East Bay

Help keep trusted immigration legal services accessible to East Bay families

Across the East Bay, refugees and immigrants are navigating an increasingly complex immigration system while working toward the same goals we all share: safety, stability, meaningful work, and a secure future for their families.

For individuals pursuing citizenship, seeking work authorization, adjusting their immigration status, or working to reunite with loved ones, access to qualified legal guidance can make an extraordinary difference.

Immigration processes often involve extensive documentation, detailed application reviews, and strict deadlines. For many families, the cost of hiring a private immigration attorney presents an additional barrier to accessing the assistance they need.

For more than 25 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Oakland has helped bridge that divide, providing trusted, affordable immigration legal services to newcomers throughout the East Bay.

Today, we're inviting our community to invest in the continued strength of these services. Philanthropic support helps sustain experienced legal professionals, maintain continuity for families navigating immigration processes, and ensure reliable legal guidance remains accessible to our neighbors.

Donate today to support immigration legal services

Why IRC Oakland? 

Since opening in 2000, IRC Oakland has welcomed more than 7,400 newcomers, walking alongside individuals and families as they build new lives in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Our work extends beyond initial resettlement to include employment services, housing support, mental health and community wellness, financial coaching, small-business development, and immigration legal assistance.

What distinguishes IRC Oakland is our understanding that legal stability is deeply connected to nearly every other aspect of rebuilding a life.

A parent pursuing work authorization may also be preparing to enter the workforce. Someone applying for citizenship may be working toward financial independence. A young person navigating their immigration status may also need support in school or their community.

Through one trusted organization, newcomers can access legal guidance alongside resources that support their broader goals.

This combination of specialized immigration legal expertise, culturally responsive services, and comprehensive community support helps families build a foundation for long-term stability and independence.

Experienced legal professionals families can trust

IRC Oakland's Immigration Legal Services team includes two immigration attorneys and two U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representatives who provide specialized assistance to refugees, immigrants, humanitarian entrants, lawful permanent residents, asylees, and Special Immigrant Visa holders throughout the East Bay.

DOJ Accredited Representatives play an important role in making qualified immigration legal services more accessible. These federally authorized nonprofit professionals are trained to prepare immigration applications, communicate with federal immigration agencies, and represent individuals in authorized immigration proceedings.

Our legal professionals take the time to understand each person's circumstances, review relevant records, prepare accurate applications, and explain available legal options.

For families navigating unfamiliar and consequential legal processes, having a knowledgeable professional in their corner provides greater clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

Our Impact in the East Bay

Every year, IRC Oakland's Immigration Legal Services team provides substantial legal assistance and community education, including:

In FY2026 alone, the team provided direct legal services to more than 500 refugees and immigrants throughout the East Bay.

These services include individualized legal consultations, adjustment of status applications, naturalization and citizenship assistance, family reunification petitions, work authorization, USCIS representation, and community legal education.

Behind each number is a person pursuing greater security and opportunity for themselves and their family.

Why sustained community investment matters

Immigration cases often unfold over months or years, requiring careful preparation, ongoing communication, and attention to important legal deadlines.

Continuity of representation matters. Families benefit from having trusted professionals who understand their circumstances, maintain familiarity with their cases, and provide guidance throughout the process.

IRC Oakland's DOJ Accredited Representatives and immigration attorneys bring specialized expertise, cultural understanding, and established relationships with the communities they serve.

Philanthropic investment helps sustain this expertise and the infrastructure behind high-quality legal services, including case management, interpretation, legal research, and community outreach.

By supporting the team today, our East Bay community can help ensure that families continue receiving consistent, reliable guidance as they pursue their legal goals.

Legal representation can change the trajectory of a family's life

The impact of this work extends far beyond completing an immigration application.

When Abdul (name changed for privacy) arrived in the United States after being evacuated from Afghanistan at just 14 years old, he faced the challenges of adapting to a new country without his immediate family.

He later entered foster care in the East Bay, moving between multiple placements while continuing his education and navigating his immigration case.

Throughout these transitions, IRC Oakland's legal team maintained contact with Abdul, coordinated with county officials, conducted regular wellness check-ins, and connected him with resources to support his well-being.

When Abdul's father and siblings were later admitted to the United States, IRC advocated for family reunification while continuing to support his pathway toward permanent legal status.

Today, Abdul has graduated from high school and is living with his family.

His journey is a reminder that meaningful support is rarely limited to one service or one moment in time.

A trusted legal advocate can help someone navigate an immigration application. A consistent relationship can help a young person feel supported through uncertainty. And access to comprehensive services can create opportunities that extend well beyond the outcome of a legal case.

When we invest in accessible legal services, we're investing in the futures that individuals and families are working to build.

Help sustain immigration legal services in the East Bay

IRC Oakland is seeking $220,000 in philanthropic support to sustain our Immigration Legal Services team and strengthen access to trusted, affordable legal assistance throughout the East Bay.

Your investment will help:

Invest in justice. Invest in families. 

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a safe, stable, and fulfilling life.

For our neighbors navigating the immigration system, access to reliable legal guidance can mean the difference between facing a complicated process alone and moving forward with the knowledge, preparation, and support they need.

Your generosity helps keep trusted immigration legal services available to East Bay families, supporting not only their immediate legal needs but the futures they are working to create.

Together, we can continue building a community where newcomers have the resources, opportunities, and support to thrive.

Donate today to support IRC Oakland

To learn more or explore supporting IRC Oakland's Immigration Legal Services, contact Kelsey Eaton, Development Director, at kelsey.eaton@rescue.org.

Donate today 

To learn more or support IRC Oakland's Immigration Legal Services, contact Kelsey Eaton, Development Director, at kelsey.eaton@rescue.org.