Who We Are
We believe that the right to counsel in deportation proceedings is a necessary step towards ensuring due process for all.
Our Story
We are a next-generation social justice law firm that defends our immigrant communities against injustices in the immigration system.
ImmDef is fighting back every day against the immigration system's campaign of cruelty against migrants at the border with a focus on assisting children and families. Each day the situation at the border deteriorates further and the need for additional resources and capacity to help is clear. Unfortunately, our immigration legal system routinely fails to live up to basic standards. Access to an attorney for all immigrants involved in deportation proceedings is the first step that we must take to ensure fairness in U.S. immigration courts. Our model of universal representation is built on this principle. It is our long‐term goal to ensure that no immigrant is forced to face an unjust immigration system alone.
Our organization was founded in 2015 by a group of experienced public interest immigration lawyers and our rapid growth is a testament to the need for our services in the communities we serve. Since our humble beginnings in our founders’ living rooms, our team has grown from a handful of attorneys to more than 120 dedicated staff members.
ImmDef is proud to be a woman-led organization with 86% BIPOC staff. All of ImmDef's client-serving staff are bilingual in English and one or more additional languages. Many of our staff members are immigrants themselves or the children or grandchildren of immigrants from Mexico and Central America. As such, our team can draw upon our deep roots in the communities that we serve in order to provide culturally competent legal services.
Our Impact
2600+ CLIENTS
One of the Largest Legal Providers in Southern California
With services covering the areas of Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Adelanto, Orange County, San Diego, and border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali, ImmDef has become one of the largest legal services providers in Southern California.
600 NEW CASES A YEAR
ImmDef Has Grown To Meet The Needs Of Our Clients
With record-breaking numbers of individuals in detention, shelters, and held at the border due to the Migrant Protection Protocols, the need for legal assistance providers is astronomical. ImmDef has increased our annual caseload to respond to the growing needs of our clients.
50% UNACCOMPANIED MINORS
Children Crossing The Border Alone
Our Children's Representation Project and Detained Youth Empowerment Project have grown so large they accounted for half of all new cases in 2019.
23 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
A Growing Map of Origin Countries
Though our client list ranges from 23 different countries of origin, roughly 78% of all clients originate from Central American countries of Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.