Higher Education Legal Services (HELS)
Para asistencia en español, llame al 858-637-3345.
Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) provides FREE immigration legal services to students, staff, and faculty at San Diego and Imperial County community and state colleges. Highly qualified legal practitioners provide culturally competent, trauma-informed, legal expertise to the campus community. Virtual and in-person appointments are available. In-person appointments currently take place at the following college campuses and are available to students of any campus:
- CSU San Marcos
- San Diego State University
- MiraCosta College
- Cuyamaca College
- Southwestern College
Your first appointment is a thorough intake to assess your case. After the initial intake, we will schedule a follow up appointment to provide consultation specific to you.
Please contact us if you need any assistance with scheduling your legal services intake at 858-637-3345.
Services for CSU affiliates include immediate relatives and alumni.
- Immediate Relatives = Spouse, parents, children, siblings, legal guardian of students, staff, or faculty.
- Alumni = Graduated within the last 2 years
Servicios disponibles en español. Indique su idioma de preferencia en el formulario. Para asistencia en español, llame al 858-637-3345.
Appointment Types
General Consultation
A General Consultation includes a thorough intake process. The HELS team will assess eligibility for any possible form of immigration relief.
Initial DACA
Select this appointment type to learn about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) if you have never been granted DACA status. The HELS team will assess eligibility for an initial DACA application along with other forms of immigration relief.
DACA Renewal
If you have been granted DACA status in the past, we will assess eligibility to file a DACA renewal. Review of prior applications and immigration history is required. It is highly recommended that you make an appointment 3-6 months before your current DACA expires.
Naturalization
Naturalization is the process to become a U.S. citizen. During this appointment we will provide an in-depth screening for naturalization eligibility.
Emergency Preparedness.& Safety Planning
During this appointment, we review practical tools for family-based safety planning and emergency preparedness for those at risk of removal from the U.S.
Follow Up Appointment
Select this appointment type if you would like to follow-up on an existing case with a HELS representative. Please identify the representative you are working with in the notes section, if known.
All consultations are completely confidential, in accordance with California Professional Rules of Conduct for attorneys.
COVID Reminder: If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, flu, or a cold do not come onsite to any JFS location or in-person appointment, regardless of your vaccination status. Masks are required for all appointments and please continue to practice social distancing.
Please enter your full legal name when scheduling an appointment.
