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<ns0:Id>20250SB__119499INT</ns0:Id>
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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-19</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:MeasureNum>1194</ns0:MeasureNum>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senator Caballero</ns0:AuthorText>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Caballero</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act relating to immigration services. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>immigration services</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Immigration Legal Fellowship Program.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, subject to an appropriation, to provide grants to qualified nonprofit organizations through contracts, in order to provide certain immigration-related legal services to persons residing in, or formerly residing in, the state. Under existing law, those grants are aimed at obtaining certain immigration remedies and benefits, assisting with the naturalization process and an appeal arising from the process, or providing legal training and technical assistance. </html:p>
<html:p>This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to establish the Immigration Legal Fellowship Program within the State Department of Social Services to expand access to high-quality immigration legal services, including removal defense, by supporting the placement of qualified legal fellows in rural and
underserved regions of California. </html:p>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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(a)
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The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
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(1)
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California is home to the largest immigrant population in the nation, and access to competent immigration legal representation is a critical determinant of fairness, due process, family stability, and community well-being.
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(2)
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Immigrants facing removal proceedings who are represented by qualified legal counsel are significantly more likely to obtain lawful relief, remain united with their families, and avoid unnecessary detention, yet access to such representation remains uneven across the state.
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(3)
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Rural regions and other
underserved communities in California experience persistent shortages of immigration legal service providers due to geographic isolation, limited nonprofit legal infrastructure, workforce recruitment challenges, and insufficient long-term funding stability.
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<html:p>
(4)
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The Legislature has previously invested in immigration legal services, including removal defense, through programs administered by the State Department of Social Services pursuant to Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 13300) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. These investments have demonstrated measurable benefits but have not fully addressed workforce capacity gaps in rural and underserved areas.
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<html:p>
(5)
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Building and sustaining a qualified immigration legal workforce requires intentional investment in training, mentorship, and placement of attorneys and other authorized legal representatives in
communities that have historically lacked adequate access to services.
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<html:p>
(6)
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Fellowship-based service delivery models have proven effective in expanding legal capacity, strengthening local nonprofit organizations, and improving continuity of services while maintaining accountability and programmatic oversight.
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<html:p>
(b)
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It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to establish the Immigration Legal Fellowship Program within the State Department of Social Services to expand access to high-quality immigration legal services, including removal defense, by supporting the placement of qualified legal fellows in rural and underserved regions of California.
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