EBSC provides many free and low-cost legal services for immigrants.

Call us to set up an appointment at (510) 540-5296 or email us at info@eastbaysanctuary.org.

What legal services do you need?

New Asylee Information

Affirmative Asylum

EBSC may be able to help you file an affirmative asylum application. This type of asylum is available only to people who are already in the U.S. and are afraid to go back to their home country. EBSC can help only people who are residing in the SF Asylum Office jurisdiction.  

Note: Except for unaccompanied minors, the affirmative asylum process is available only to people who are not in immigration court proceedings and have never been deported.  

If you are accepted as an EBSC client, we will help you explain why you are seeking asylum, prepare you for the asylum interview, provide interpretation, and accompany you to your interview. We support you through the entire asylum process.

We regularly take these types of asylum cases:

  • People who have suffered domestic violence
  • People who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community
  • People who are unaccompanied minors (under age 18)
  • Indigenous Guatemalans
  • Other people fleeing violence and persecution in their home country

DACA

If you arrived in the U.S. as a child before June 15, 2007, you may be eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). EBSC can help you with your initial, renewal, and advance parole applications, as well as with complex cases involving criminal arrests and convictions.

We can also help you seek permanent immigration relief through programs such as Asylum, U Visa, Green Card through Family Petition, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

Learn more about our DACA Services.

REQUEST DACA APPOINTMENT

Green Card (Permanent Resident Card)

If you won your asylum case and want to get or renew a Green Card so you can live and work permanently in the United States, EBSC can help.

Call us to set up an appointment at (510) 540-5296 or email us at info@eastbaysanctuary.org.

Work Permit (Employment Authorization)

*For existing EBSC clients only*

  • If you are an EBSC client and have asylum approval: Apply for or renew your work permit through EBSC.
  • If you are an EBSC client and your asylum application is pending: You can renew your work permit through EBSC. Be sure to contact us 6 months before the expiration date of your current work permit.

Call us to set up an appointment at (510) 540-5296 or email us at info@eastbaysanctuary.org.

U.S Citizenship (Naturalization)

You must be a Green Card holder before you can apply for U.S. citizenship.
You are usually eligible to apply for citizenship 4 years and 9 months after the “Resident since” date on your Green Card. You may be eligible to apply for citizenship before 4 years and 9 months if you are married to a U.S. citizen. We can help with complex naturalization cases.

We also offer classes to help you prepare for the citizenship exam. Learn more about Community Education.

REQUEST NATURALIZATION APPOINTMENT

Unaccompanied Minors

If you were under 18 when you arrived in the U.S. without a parent, we may be able to help you apply for asylum or another status that will help you stay in the U.S. legally.

Minors who are abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents may qualify for special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS). You must have documentation from the office of refugee resettlement (ORR) that states you are an unaccompanied minor. We can also help connect you with local counseling services, social services, and stability.

Call us to set up an appointment at (510) 540-5296 or email us at info@eastbaysanctuary.org.