California invest Record $15 Million for Immigrant Services

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the California Latino Legislative Caucus is proud to announce the investment of $15 million for Immigrant Services funding for qualified non-profit organizations. This year’s state budget included funding that provides qualified non-profits with the resources to provide education, outreach and legal services to lawful permanent residents eligible for citizenship and immigrants eligible for deferred action under the President’s Executive Orders. This is a record-amount ever allocated in the state’s budget for such services.

“Today, California is once again leading the way with significant and meaningful investments towards improving the lives of immigrants throughout the state,” said Latino Legislative Caucus Chairman Luis A. Alejo. “The California Latino Legislative Caucus has a rich history of standing with California’s immigrant communities, and today’s application release for the Immigrant Services funding program reflects our commitment to helping those in our state achieve the American dream, Citizenship.”

Nearly 2.5 million legal permanent residents in California are eligible for naturalization. Additionally, over 1.5 million immigrants in California are estimated to be eligible for administrative relief under Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The California Department of Social Services has opened the Request for Application (RFA) process for Fiscal Year 2015-16. This funding will request applications under one or more of the following five (5) service categories: (1) Application Assistance for DACA; (2) Application Assistance for DAPA; (3) Application Assistance for Naturalization; (4) Legal Training and Technical Assistance Services; (5)Education and Outreach Activities.

Qualified non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is October 30, 2015.  To obtain more information about the RFA, please send an email to ImmigrationServices@dss.ca.gov.

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Contact: Michelle Reyes / (916) 319-2030 / Michelle.Reyes@asm.ca.gov