Immigrant Defenders Law Center

About Immigrant Defenders Law Center

Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) is a nonprofit immigration legal services organization founded in 2015. Its Los Angeles headquarters is on South Spring Street, with additional offices in Santa Ana, Riverside, and San Diego. The organization combines individual deportation defense with legal education, social service referrals, and litigation addressing access to counsel and immigration detention. Its leadership includes co-founder Lindsay Toczylowski, who serves as president and CEO.

Its Children's Representation Program assists unaccompanied and vulnerable children with immigration court cases and applications for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and protections for survivors of crime or trafficking. The National Qualified Representative Program provides appointed immigration counsel to detained people whose serious mental disabilities prevent them from understanding or participating in proceedings. Community Defense also provides immigration legal aid through local government partnerships; its Santa Ana program serves people who live or work in that city.

ImmDef does not charge clients for its legal services. Access is organized through its programs and case referrals, with eligibility tied to the relevant program; the organization should be contacted to determine whether it can assist with a particular matter. Office visits require an appointment. Its main office phone service is bilingual in English and Spanish, and interpretation in other languages can be arranged by appointment. Client wellness support includes referrals for housing, health care, transportation, and other needs during immigration proceedings.