Immigrants Are the Heart of Los Angeles
Learn about our mission, our roots, and why legal representation for immigrants matters.
Our Story
Immigrants have deep roots in Los Angeles County. They are more than 35 percent of its population, and the overwhelming majority ?????? 90 percent ?????? have been in the United States for more than a decade. In our city, immigrants are more than 51 percent of business owners and almost 72 percent of essential services workers.
About 18 percent of the county's residents are undocumented or live with someone who is, and nearly half of households with an undocumented family member depend on that person's income.
RepresentLA is a public-private partnership funded by Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, the California Community Foundation, and the Weingart Foundation ?????? building upon the work begun in 2017 by the Los Angeles Justice Fund (LAJF) pilot program.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Unlike in criminal cases, there is no right to government-appointed counsel in immigration proceedings. Without legal help, immigrants face nearly impossible odds.
No Right to Counsel
Immigration proceedings are civil, not criminal. Immigrants??????including children??????must navigate a complex legal system without guaranteed legal representation.
Community Impact
When a family member is detained or deported, the impact ripples through families and whole communities??????children lose parents, businesses lose owners, and neighborhoods lose vital members.
Proven Results
The LAJF pilot program demonstrated that providing legal representation dramatically improves outcomes??????represented immigrants are far more likely to win their cases and remain with their families.
Want to Learn More or Get Involved?
Contact us to learn about partnership opportunities, volunteer with our legal teams, or find out how RepresentLA can help you or someone you know.