Free legal support will soon be available for those affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program for undocumented youth who entered the United States before the age of 16. On March 27 and 28 representatives from OneJustice will be holding clinics to  help young people in Humboldt County figure out whether they are eligible for DACA and navigate the required forms.

Talissa Carrasco, a representative from DreamSF, says that the San Francisco-based nonprofit is working in collaboration with a Humboldt State University student organization — Finding Resources for Empowerment Through Education — to serve some of the most vulnerable populations in rural and isolated areas of California.

In an email Carrasco said, "In the past year alone, the Justice Bus Project has organized free legal clinics in 23 counties throughout California and partnered with over 25 community based organizations to coordinate legal services for more than 900 low-income individuals. Because of this we know that Humboldt county has little to no legal service providers that can assist the thousands of people who qualify for free legal assistance."

For more information, including locations and times for the clinics, please see the press release included below.  

ONEJUSTICE AND F.R.E.E. TO PROVIDE FREE DACA & DACA RENEWAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Eight million low-income Californians face legal barriers to basic necessities. Californians living in rural areas face disproportionate barriers to accessing assistance and therefore suffer, needlessly, from solvable legal problems. OneJustice creates partnerships between legal services organizations, community groups, such as F.R.E.E. (Finding Resources for Empowerment through Education), and private pro bono attorneys in order to develop free limited scope legal clinics that serve low-income communities in rural and isolated areas of the state. On March 27 and 28, 2015, OneJustice, Catholic Charities, F.R.E.E. and Stanford Law students will partner to offer two free Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) legal clinic open to the community.

WHAT: Free DACA & DACA renewal clinic. DACA is a program for undocumented youth who entered the US before age 16 and meet other eligibility requirements. At the clinic, individuals can get screened for DACA eligibility and receive assistance with DACA forms.

WHEN AND WHERE: Two free clinics will be offered on Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28.

Friday, March 27, 2015 2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Jefferson Center 1000 B. Street Eureka, CA

Saturday, March 28, 2015 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Multigenerational Center 2280 Newburg Road Fortuna, CA

WHO CAN ATTEND: Anyone in Humboldt County who has questions about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), eligibility, or completing and submitting the DACA application or renewal application.

FOR AN APPOINTMENT: To make an appointment, or for further information please call OneJustice at (415) 834-0100 ext. 314.

About OneJustice OneJustice brings life-changing legal help to Californians in need. Millions of low-income veterans, seniors, families, and others face legal barriers to basic life necessities such as food, clean water, safe housing, freedom from violence, and access to medical care, education, and jobs. OneJustice supports a statewide network of nonprofit legal organizations, law firms, law schools, and businesses that work together to provide free legal assistance to hundreds of thousands of Californians every year. The OneJustice network works together to end needless suffering from solvable legal problems. Find out more about OneJustice and its programs at www.one-justice.org.

About Finding Resources for Empowerment Through Education (F.R.E.E.) F.R.E.E. is a student group at Humboldt State University. F.R.E.E. works with the community in various capacities, such as leading Know Your Rights workshops, Deferred Action information sessions, and other work to spread knowledge and empower their local community.