Puentes Immigrant Legal & Community Resources

by | May 26, 2020 | Community Resources, Puentes, Puentes Network

Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants: Coronavirus(COVID-19)

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, California is providing one-time state-funded disaster relief assistance to undocumented adults who are ineligible for other forms of assistance, including assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and pandemic unemployment benefits, because of their immigration status. This state funding is expected to reach about 150,000 undocumented adults.

The California Department of Social Services has selected twelve immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations to help individuals apply for and receive this disaster relief assistance in their region. An undocumented adult who qualifies can receive $500 in direct assistance, with a maximum of $1000 in assistance per household. Read frequently asked questions.

PDF of California Community Organizations: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/Immigration/COVID/DRAI-Distribution-Table.pdf

Nonprofit organizations will not be assisting individuals prior to May 18. Individuals should not contact them ahead of time regarding disaster relief assistance. Application assistance will not be provided in person.

Know Your Rights!

Regardless of your immigration status, all people in the U.S. are protected by the constitution.

Every person in the U.S. is guaranteed constitutional rights. It is critical that communities are aware and practice their civil rights when confronted by ICE or police officials. Below are Know Your Rights general facts pdf’s and print out copies of Know Your Rights cards that can be given to ICE or police officials during an encounter.

ICE Hotline

Santa Cruz County has Your Allied Rapid Response (YARR). YARR is is an all-volunteer organization. There mission is to use their bodies, tactics and resources to document, resist and prevent actions by ICE or other repressive forces that would harm our fellow human beings. If you need to report ICE presence in our county: (831)239-4289.YARR trains members of the community in Legal Observation, Non-Violent Direct Action, & De-escalation so they can become responders who are dispatched to the scene when someone calls our hotline.

Your Allied Rapid Response has a secure phone number, 831-239-4289, that you can call when you see ICE or other repressive forces in our county. They will dispatch trained community members to the site to document what’s happening and to support the people targeted.

Family Preparedness

Local Resources:Childcare Safety Plan

In case of sudden deportation, it is critical that individuals have a plan for themselves and for their family. Family preparation can include but is not limited to childcare provisions, emergency funds, medical prescriptions, and emergency contacts. This is the person you trust the most to:

  • Take your children to the doctor
  • Sign them up for school or extracurricular activities
  • Sign them up for benefits or health insurance
  • Travel with them

The Immigration Legal Resource Center states “have a plan so that a trusted adult can care for your child if you cannot. This plan should include emergency numbers, a list of important contact information and a file with important documents.” Other things to include are:

  • Your photo ID
  • Your child’s birth certificates

Optional

  • Your children’s passports, if you have them and if you wish them to be able to travel with your chosen caregiver

Below please find a list of resources and guidelines for emergency preparedness plans.

Spanish:

Tenant Rights

Santa Cruz Tenant Sanctuary: Free tenant education & legal aid services in Santa Cruz

About Tenant Sanctuary

Tenant Sanctuary is an affiliation of Sanctuary Santa Cruz that offers drop in hours Tuesday and Sunday to help with information about:

  • Rent Increases
  • Eviction
  • Repairs and habitability
  • Security Deposits
  • Harassment
  • Lease Provisions
  • And any issue regarding tenant-landlord disputes.

For more information visit: https://tenantsanctuary.org

Public Charge Rules

What is Public Charge?

According to National Immigration Law Center. “Public charge” is currently defined as a person who is or is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support. When a non–U.S. citizen applies for a visa to enter the U.S. or for lawful permanent resident status (to get a “green card”), a U.S. government official will look at the person’s life circumstances to see if the person is likely to depend on government programs in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If I used government programs in the past, does that mean I may not be able to get a green card? 

The public charge test is forward-looking. If you previously received help from government programs but your situation has changed, you can show that you will not need those services now or in the future (for example, because you now have a job).

How does the government decide who is likely to become a public charge?

The government uses a public charge “test.” The public charge test is based on several different factors. An immigration officer must look at the “totality of circumstances” by looking at the person’s age, health, family status, financial status, education and skills, and the “affidavit of support” filed by their sponsor (if they have one). The government must look at the person’s whole situation to decide if they are likely to depend on public programs in the future.

When does the public charge test apply?

The test applies in two situations: (1) when a person applies to enter the U.S. or (2) when a person applies to adjust immigration status to become a lawful permanent resident (to get a green card). You apply for a visa or green card by submitting information on a form. Using the information from that form and from the interview that follows, the government decides if you are likely to become a public charge. The test is not used when a permanent resident applies for U.S. citizenship.

(These answers were found on MomsRising.Org)

Resources to learn more about Public Charge:

Immigration Legal Resource Center – Public Charge: Your Questions Answered

National Immigration Law Center

Sanctuary Santa Cruz

Office of Immigrant Relations, Public Charge Fact Sheet

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website – Public Charge

Protecting Immigrant Families 

Resources for UCSC Students

Undocumented Student Services(USS) & DACA Resources

Under the umbrella of EOP, the Undocumented Student Services (USS) provides a robust set of services and support to ensure the graduation and retention of undocumented students at UC, Santa Cruz.  The services are composed of peer mentors and an academic advisor who provide personal, academic, financial, and legal support to all UCSC undocumented students.

USS provides resources such as:

  • Peer Mentoring and Personal Support

  • Scholarship/Fellowship information

  • UndocuSlug Newsletter: Newsletter with information relative to the needs of undocumented students.

  • UndocuSlug Meetings: Safe space for undocumented students to build community

  • 540% Extended Orientation Program

  • Help Navigating Graduate School

  • Legal Assistance through UC Immigrant Legal Services Center

  • Snack Closet

  • Fresh Produce Distribution

  • Free printing (up to 10 pages/day)

  • Emergency Funding

  • Workshops and Events, such as:

    • DACA Clinic

    • CA Dream Act Workshop

    • Independent Contracting/ Working While Undocumented Information

    • Life After College

    • Off-Campus Housing

    • Mental Health

    • Budgeting

Temporary Protected Status

What is TPS?

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is given to foreign nationals who are already present in the U.S. and cannot return to certain countries due to temporary unsafe conditions. The temporary unsafe conditions can include civil war, natural disaster, and/or other extraordinary circumstances. TPS provides individuals protection from deportation, employment authorization documents (EAD), and some may be granted travel authorization.

The U.S. currently provides TPS to over 300,000 foreign nationals from the following countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Nepal, Syria, Nicaragua, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and South Sedan. Salvadorian TPS holders are the largest group at 195,000 individuals. The second largest group are Honduran TPS holders at 57,000 individuals. Many of the individuals who were protected by TPS have been living and working in the U.S. for decades and have established livelihoods. If their TPS is terminated, they can now face deportation to countries that could still be unsafe. This would also cause a massive family separation crisis since around 270,000 U.S. born children have at least one parent with TPS. Since the attempted terminations of TPS, many lawsuits have taken place leaving the future of thousands of people uncertain.

Learn more about TPS:

http://www.carecen-la.org/

uscis.gov/humanitarian/tps

immigrationforum.org/article/fact-sheet

U-Visa & VAWA

Information regarding U Visa’s and VAWA were found on the Immigrant Legal Resource Center 

U Visa: Immigration Relief for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes

Immigrant victims of certain crimes who have been helpful in a criminal investigation or prosecution may qualify for a visa that can lead to a green card. The ILRC’s practice manual entitled The U Visa: Obtaining Status for Immigrant Victims of Crime is a comprehensive explanation of the law and application process that also includes sample materials and practice tips.

VAWA: Immigration Relief for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes

VAWA allows an abused spouse or child of a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident or an abused parent of a U.S. Citizen to self-petition for lawful status in the United States, receive employment authorization, and access public benefits. VAWA provides domestic violence survivors with the means that are essential to escaping violence and establishing safe, independent lives. ILRC has co-authored The VAWA Manual, a step-by-step guide to assist advocates working on VAWA cases.

For Local Resources and Support Contact Monarch Services:

Monarch Services is committed to empowering individuals, families and our communities to take action against violence and abuse and is dedicated to serving everyone in our community, with a special commitment to women, youth, children, Latinas and other under served groups.

Monarch’s locations:

  • 233 East Lake Avenue Watsonville, CA 95076 contact at (831) 722-4532
  • 1509 Seabright Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95062 contact at (831) 425-4030

Deferred Enforced Departure

What is Deferred Enforced Departure?

In addition to TPS, Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is another form of blanket relief.  DED is under the President’s discretion to authorize as part of his constitutional power to conduct foreign relations. Deferred Enforced Departure provides individuals relief from removal at the President’s discretion, usually in response to war, civil unrest, or natural disasters.

Currently, Liberia is the only country currently designated under DED. It is set to be terminated on March 30, 2020. African Communities Together v. Trump is currently challenging the Trump Administration’s attempt to terminate DED and deter the deportation of Liberian individuals-some who have resided in the States for more than 20 years.

Learn More:

undocublack.org/press-releases/2019

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