Immigration Legal Services

Our legal services program offers in-depth immigration consultation, legal advice, and representation for UC San Diego undergraduate, graduate, and Extension students and their immediate family (exclusions apply). Our immigration attorney and paralegal are available for one-on-one consultations with students either in person or through Zoom. Appointments are required, book your appointment HERE.

Immigration Emergency Help

If you are a UC San Diego student or employee and need urgent legal assistance, contact our in-house immigration attorney at (530) 219-8856. Please reserve this number for emergencies only, such as if you are being detained by ICE or are at risk of deportation. For non-urgent immigration matters, kindly schedule an appointment with our immigration team.

In the event that a UC student or their immediate family member is detained by Immigration Law Enforcement, please contact both the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center Staff Attorney at UC San Diego and the Managing Attorney:

Staff Attorney: Andres Lemons at andres.ucimm@law.ucdavis.edu
Managing Attorney: Vivek Mittal at vivek.ucimm@law.ucdavis.edu

Legal services include but are not limited to:

All UC San Diego students, including Lawful Permanent Residents and U.S. citizens, are eligible to access these services for themselves or an immediate family member. Additionally, UC staff are now also eligible for these services.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- It is important that you renew your DACA every two years as USCIS no longer notifies you when you need to renew. Although USCIS is not currently adjudicating initial DACA requests, DACA renewals will continue to be processed based on the existing policy. DACA Renewals can even be filed online through the USCIS website.
- Students with DACA are highly encouraged by our immigration attorney to meet with him six months prior to expiration.
Advance Parole
- Advance Parole is available to DACA recipients. Advance Parole (AP) is permission granted by the Department of Homeland Security allowing certain noncitizens to temporarily travel outside of the U.S. and return lawfully. Qualifying reasons for traveling abroad with AP include educational, humanitarian, and employment.
- Guidance for DACA Recipients About Traveling on Advance Parole by UC Immigrant Legal Services Center
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
- If you are in the United States, are under 21 years of age, and have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent, you may be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification. If SIJ classification is granted, you may qualify for lawful permanent residency.
Adjustment of Status
- Adjustment of status is the process that you can use to apply for lawful permanent resident status (also known as applying for a Green Card) when you are present in the United States. This means that you may get a Green Card without having to return to your home country to complete visa processing.

Once per quarter we hold presentations that cover immigration topics of relevance to students, such as updates on legislation changes.

For inquiries related to AB 540 or the California Dream Act, please direct your questions to the USS Program Manager or Program Coordinator. The legal team is not the appropriate resource for supporting students through this process.

Resources:

Advance Parole brochure

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) brochure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you support me with AB 540 & CA Dream Act?

For inquiries related to AB 540 or the California Dream Act, please schedule a meeting with the USS Program Manager or Program Coordinator. The legal team is not the appropriate resource for supporting students through this process.

Make Appointments Here: https://ussappointments.as.me/schedule/2724627f

Are meetings with the immigration attorney or paralegal free?

The immigration consultations are free of cost for UC San Diego students currently enrolled at the university. Support is also available to immediate family members of UC San Diego students; however, the student must schedule the initial appointment for their family to receive services. If you have any questions, please email immiservices@uscd.edu

Who is considered immediate family members?

Immediate family members are considered biological parents, siblings, and legal spouses. If you have any questions, please email immiservices@uscd.ed

I am not a UC San Diego student, can you provide support for me?

No, unfortunately, we do not provide our services to those who are not UC San Diego students. However, we have created a helpful guide to support members of our community in finding legal resources. We also recommend visiting the Legal Updates page on our website for additional resources and information.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.

More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.

More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.