Legal Empowerment Program

OCJF’s Legal Empowerment Program (LEP) equips immigrant and refugee communities with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the immigration system. We offer accessible legal education and direct services grounded in community trust and empowerment.

Legal empowerment is especially important in Orange County, where many immigrants and refugees face deportation without access to legal help. With few free or low-cost legal services available—and thousands navigating the immigration system alone—our work helps fill a critical gap. Since 2017, OCJF has been offering trusted, community-based legal education and support to make immigration justice more accessible for all.

Core Components

These interactive workshops co-created with our Orange County community cover topics like family preparedness, workers’ rights, and civic engagement. Through storytelling and collective learning, we build leadership, advocacy skills, and lasting confidence to navigate systems.

Practical, scenario-based trainings that equip immigrants and allies with essential legal knowledge to assert their rights at home, work, in public, and during interactions with law enforcement. By requesting a workshop, you can provide your community with the tools they need to stay safe.

We organize year-round legal clinics across Orange County where community members meet one-on-one with volunteer attorneys or DOJ-accredited reps for free legal consultations and case-specific guidance. OCJF does not provide direct representation but connects people to trusted support.

Staff and volunteers help identify community members’ needs and connect them to trusted partners for services like wellness support, public benefits, and other essential resources. Note that OCJF does not provide these services directly, but we can support immigrants and allies as they access resources.

These interactive workshops co-created with our Orange County...

Practical, scenario-based trainings that equip immigrants and allies...

We organize year-round legal clinics across Orange County where...

Staff and volunteers help identify community members’ needs...

What You Can Do

Click on any header for more information.

Explore our workshop menu

Request a community workshop

The Orange County Justice Fund (OCJF) offers free community education workshops for immigrant communities and allies. Please complete this form if you’re interested in hosting a workshop.

Download community education materials

See our OC legal service providers referral list

Beware of immigration fraud. Only licensed immigration attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives can represent you in your case. Find others in the National Legal Services Directory.