Legal Services

ALA provides direct legal services and Know Your Rights education while conducting activities to increase civic participation, empowering low-income residents and people with limited English proficiency. ALA addresses a breadth of issues impacting the region’s most vulnerable. Our services are free of charge.

Get Help
A woman smiling at a U.S. citizenship ceremony, holding an American flag and a certificate, standing in front of a large mural of the American flag with a patriotic banner that reads 'Today, I am an American.'

Immigration

ALA helps community members petition for relief under the Violence Against Women Act, pursue visas as victims of crime or trafficking, submit DACA renewals, apply for lawful permanent residence, citizenship, and Temporary Protected Status, and more. In addition, ALA assists with removal defense, representing clients fleeing severe forms of persecution based on their gender, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or political opinion.

Group of diverse people standing on stairs outside a brick building, smiling and posing for a photo. Many are wearing purple clothing. There are trees casting shadows on the building and some fallen leaves on the ground.

Domestic Violence

ALA assists survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other violent crimes so they can access protections afforded by the law. ALA works with an array of culturally-sensitive local service providers to ensure that client’s health and other non-legal needs are met.

An elderly woman standing in front of a backdrop with the text 'Project New Citizen,' being photographed by a person with a phone. Five people are seated at a table in the background, engaged in discussion, in an indoor setting with purple and gold wall panels.

Public Benefits

ALA helps elderly, disabled, newly arrived, and unemployed community members achieve a decent standard of living by providing assistance with complicated administrative procedures and appeals. We help with public benefit/income maintenance issues, including with Supplemental Security Income, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs and CalFresh. ALA also informs uninsured residents about their options and engages in advocacy to promote fair access to public benefits and health care.

Three people engaged in conversation at a table filled with papers and documents, with a busy indoor setting in the background.

Photo by Project Citizen

Tenant Rights

ALA assists tenants who are facing eviction, discrimination, and substandard housing. We help residents understand processes, formulating responses and filing complaints with local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, ALA educates renters about their rights under California and federal fair housing laws, the California Tenant Protection Act, and local rent control and tenant protection ordinances.

A protest with a person holding a yellow sign that says '#STOP ASIAN HATE.' Other protesters are visible in the background, some holding signs. People are wearing masks, and the scene is outdoors with trees and a blue sky.

Stop Asian Hate

ALA supports victims of hate incidents and hate crimes through direct assistance with reporting as well as referrals to appropriate service providers. We hold listening sessions, provide bystander trainings, and conduct Know Your Rights presentations to equip vulnerable community members with tools for prevention and advocacy. ALA partners with numerous local, state, and national allies united to stop Asian hate.

Three people standing behind a table with Asian Law Alliance banners at an outdoor event under a blue tent. The table has brochures, flyers, and a sign. The background shows a parking lot with cars and a chain-link fence.

Federal Pro Se Program

ALA, in partnership with the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, runs the Federal Pro Se Program in the federal court in San Jose. The mission of the Program is to provide equal access to justice and excellent client care regardless of factors such as financial resources, ability, sex, national origin, race, ethnicity, language proficiency, etc. ALA provides free legal assistance to self-represented litigants with civil lawsuits in the federal court in San Jose. Volunteer opportunities for attorneys to represent litigants pro bono are available! For more information, please contact Haohao Song at hsong@asianlawalliance.org or call (408) 297-1480.

ALA makes legal services accessible:

  • Communication

    Services are provided by staff attorneys, support staff, and volunteers who are multilingual in various Asian languages (Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean and other languages as needed).

  • Equal Opportunity

    The Santa Clara County Asian Law Alliance (ALA) is an equal opportunity service provider to all persons regardless of, race, sex, color, age, religion, actual or perceived gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic or national origin, or familial status.

  • Affordability

    We provide consultation and legal representation on a free or low-cost basis.