The New American Legal Clinic (NALC) is a full-service immigration legal clinic, training law students in immigration law and serving under resourced individuals in our community. When contacting NALC, we will assess your annual income to determine eligibility for our services; if you qualify, NALC will evaluate your case and provide representation in your immigration case when eligible for the benefit that you are seeking.
NALC provides legal services at no charge; however there may be required government filing fees and other incidental fees which are the sole responsibility of the client.
Below are some of the ways that NALC can help you with your immigration case
Citizenship/Naturalization Applications
If you are a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR), have been in the country for at least five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizens), demonstrate good moral character and have a basic understanding of English (or qualify for a disability exemption) you may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship/naturalization.
Family-Based Immigrant Visas (Lawful Permanent Residency)
If you have a spouse, child, or other family members who are U.S. citizens you could be eligible for a Family-Based Immigrant Visa. NALC will assess your case to determine eligibility for consular processing, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) or adjustment of status. Limited availability each year
U-Visas / T-Visas
If you are a non-citizen who suffers from substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of a violent crime or human trafficking within the United States and reported the crime to law enforcement, you may be eligible for a U-Visa or a T-Visa. Limited availability each year
Removal Defense and Asylum
NALC provides full scope removal defense for a limited number of cases each year. If you have been served with a Notice to Appear (NTA) and are already in deportation proceedings before immigration court NALC may be able to provide representation in your case, this includes Asylum claims for those who fear returning to their home country due to persecution or harm. Limited availability each year
Other resources you may find useful
Agency Hotline Referral System
United Way
Dial 211
Victims of Domestic Violence and Women’s Care
In Case of Emergency
Dial 911
Fresno Police Department
Non-Emergency Hotline
559-621-7000
Fresno County Sheriff
Non-Emergency Hotline
559-621-7000
(559) 488-3939
Clovis Police Department
(559) 324-2400
Evangel Home
137 N. Yosemite, Fresno, CA 93701
559-621-7000
(559)-264-4714
559-621-7000
Services: Crisis shelter for women and children, meals, clothing and counseling.
Marjaree Mason Center
1600 M St., Fresno, CA 93721
(559)-237-4706
Services: Provides emergency shelter, counseling, and crisis support for women and children.
Legal Services
Central California Legal Services
2115 Kern Street, Suite 200, Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 570-1200
Services: Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals, families, organizations and communities.
Centro La Familia
302 Fresno St, Ste 102 Fresno, CA
(559) 237-2961
Services: Provides immigration legal services, mental health services and parent education services to under resourced individuals.
Education and Leadership Foundation (ELF)
4290 E Ashlan Ave Fresno, CA 93726
(559) 291-5428
Services: Provides low cost immigration legal services, extracurricular student education opportunities, student scholarships parent education services to under resourced individuals.
Mil Mujeres Legal Services
(202) 808-3311
www.milmujeres.org
Services: Provides immigration legal services for the Latino community U Visa, VAWA, T-Visa and SIJs
Kids in Need Defense (KIND)
550 E Shaw Ave Fresno, CA 93710
(559) 240-4184
Services: Provides free representation for unaccompanied minors in their immigration cases
UFW Foundation
2409 Merced Street Suite 103, Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 496-0700
Services: Free and low-cost comprehensive immigration services, including Family Petitions, Naturalization, U-visa, VAWA, SIJS, Waivers, and removal defense
Victims and Witnesses of Crimes
Crime Victim & Witness Assistance Center
Fresno: (559)-600-2822
Hanford: (559)-852-2640
Madera: (559)-661-1000
Visalia: (559)-636-5471
Porterville: (559)- 782-9617
Services: Assists victims and witnesses to crimes.
Mission: The New American Legal Clinic will prepare SJCL students for the practice of law, in any area of law, through a comprehensive experiential learning model while promoting SJCL’s dynamism, serving the needs of our local community and encouraging immigrant integration.
Need for Services
There is an overwhelming need for immigration services in the Central Valley. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, Between 1970 and 2009, the number of California residents born abroad increased more than fivefold, from 1.8 million to almost 10 million. Many of these immigrants, have become naturalized U.S. citizens (46%). However, most of the immigrants who become naturalized reside in the large urban centers of Northern and Southern California where they have access to information and support to effectively navigate the immigration process. Accordingly, the United States Citizen and Immigration Service and the Department of Homeland Security have identified Fresno as city in great need for qualified practitioners in the area of immigration law.
Serving the Community
The main purpose of the Clinic is to serve the needs of the immigrant population as it relates to their desire to immigrate legally to the United States. The Clinic will provide information and counseling to members of the immigrant population as to their current status with the ultimate goal of attaining citizenship. The Clinic will also be prepared to seek legal status for the most vulnerable of our population, victims of violent crimes including domestic violence.
The Clinic will also support the foundation of the Central Valley, the agricultural sector, by assisting immigrants in obtaining legal status to enable lawful employment.
Building on SJCL’s Legacy
SJCL was founded with the mission to educate and develop individuals to become highly skilled attorneys and problem solvers who will benefit their communities through public and private service. The Immigration Law Clinic will prepare students for all aspects of civic participation, legal or non-legal. With an emphasis on gaining hands-on experience in the practice of law, Clinic students will also develop advanced problem solving skills, communication techniques and professional abilities that will lead to them be effective and efficient leaders in their communities and chosen pursuits.
Mission: The New American Legal Clinic will prepare SJCL students for the practice of law, in any area of law, through a comprehensive experiential learning model while promoting SJCL’s dynamism, serving the needs of our local community and encouraging immigrant integration.
SJCL students enrolled in the Clinic will take on all major aspects of representing a client before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), including interviewing clients, preparing forms, analyzing and arguing complex legal issues, and attending USCIS applicant interviews. As the Clinic grows, we will expand our scope of practice to represent clients before the United States Immigration Court and Board of Immigration Appeals.
While the Clinic will focus on immigration, students will gain practical skills and overarching values necessary to succeed in any field they pursue, legal or non-legal. This effort aligns with American Bar Association’s recommendations that law schools provide more opportunities for students to obtain real-life lawyering experience while in school, as well as SJCL’s mission: One Degree. A World of Options.
Students will be responsible for the following issues:
- Naturalization Applications:Once a Legal Permanent Resident (“LPR”) has been in the country for at least five years and shows good moral character, the LPR has the option to become a citizen through the naturalization process. Students will provide naturalization workshops, as well as individual counseling, to assist in the process to obtain citizenship.
- Family-Based Immigrant Visas:Family-based immigrant visas provide the way for spouses, children, and other family members of citizens, to immigrate to the United States. Students will guide families through this process and attend the final “interview” with the client at the USCIS office.
- U-Visas:The U visa is available to non-citizens who suffer substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of certain criminal activity. To be eligible for a U visa, the victim must possess information concerning the criminal activity and be helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Students will help the victim obtain the required certification from a "certifying agency" certifying the applicant’s helpfulness in the investigation or prosecution, and guide them through the application process.
"My time at NALC was one of the most rewarding life experiences I can recall. There was a mutually beneficial relationship between our community as I navigated the field of Immigration Law while helping those without the resources to represent themselves. Knowing I had even a small part in helping someone become a resident is a truly gratifying feeling that I will never forget."
Jaymie Eaton
"Interning at NALC was one of my favorite experiences at SJCL. Their attorneys and staff are knowledgeable and passionate, creating learning opportunities that go beyond the classroom. My favorite experience at NALC was helping a college student apply for citizenship where, because of my improved client interviewing skills, she was comfortable enough to provide important information that would ensure her success through the process. I think this clinic is both important to law students for exposure to a different area of law, and to the community for the exceptional legal service it provides."
Ashley Emmersen
“Immigration Law is so fascinating. Students will learn about naturalization, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), U-Visa and Asylum. I learned so much at NALC and helped to file at least 40 petitions, some of which were complex cases and included legal defense against removal proceedings. Getting involved with NALC allowed me to provide services for clients in need, and that feels good.”
August Petersen
"As a student advocate at NALC, I have gained invaluable experience both in learning immigration law and interacting with actual clients and their families. The work everyone at NALC is doing for the community is truly commendable. Professor Barreto is a tremendous asset to the clinic and fearlessly advocates for all clients. The central valley is in great need of pro bono services in immigration and our clients are extremely grateful for the legal services at NALC. I strongly encourage all students to take NALC for at least one semester and witness firsthand the impact the clinic is providing to local families in our community."
Ashley Simpson