CENTRO LEGAL DE LA RAZA INC

As one of California’s largest provider of legal services for immigrants facing deportation, Centro Legal’s Immigration Program assists thousands of immigrants annually. Our removal defense practice specializes in cases that are urgent and often involve novel legal issues. We represent unaccompanied minors and families fleeing violence and immigrants with long term community ties, including those in immigration detention. Through our law firm pro bono partnerships we increase access to counsel for hundreds of additional immigrants each year. Our program leads local and national efforts to advocate and litigate for systemic change to unjust immigration laws and policies.

Centro’s Workers’ Rights Program is recognized statewide as a leader in protecting the rights of low-wage workers. In 2020 alone, Centro secured over $2 million in settlements and judgements for workers facing issues such as sexual harassment, discrimination, wage theft, and retaliation. The program is a lead member of various collaboratives advancing workplace legislation and worker protections at local and state levels.

Centro’s Youth Law Academy increases access to college and the legal profession for low-income and first-generation Oakland students of color. The YLA provides leadership development, education, and support for youth pursuing educational and professional opportunities in the field of law. Over a three year period our students engage in a rigorous curriculum, receive extensive college preparation and career counseling. YLA’s Diversity Legal Pipeline was created in 2015 to help YLA alumni and other college students demystify the law school application process over an intensive week of workshops introducing them to all aspects of the law school application process while also introducing them to attorneys from different practice areas.