Impacts On Our Immigration Community

Recent executive orders increase immigration enforcement and deportations for undocumented people and those with various levels of legal status. Children are left especially vulnerable as the Trump administration has terminated funding for legal services provided to unaccompanied migrant children. While the federal court temporarily halted this, 26,000 minors remain at risk of losing their legal representation as they navigate complex immigration proceedings. 

Last month, the Law Foundation’s Pro Bono and Children & Youth Program (LACY) teamed up volunteers to provide a free immigration clinic for those potentially affected by new changes in federal immigration law. Families learned about their rights when confronted by law enforcement and prepared safety plans alongside attorneys and trained community members in case of deportation.  

If you or someone you know are affected by any of these executive orders, it’s important to understand your constitutional rights, create an emergency plan with your family, and consult with an immigration attorney to assess your situation and eligibility for relief. 

For more information, check out: 

• Your rights if detained by immigration: What to Do if You Are Arrested or Detained by Immigration 

• Creating a family preparedness plan: Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan

Protecting Healthcare for California’s Most Vulnerable

Protecting Healthcare for California’s Most Vulnerable 

Proposed federal budget cuts could take away billions from California’s Medi-Cal program, putting nearly 15 million people throughout the state, including seniors and children, at risk of losing critical healthcare coverage such as access to prescription drugs, vision care, preventive and wellness services, and behavioral health services.   

These cuts would severely impact a wide range of essential healthcare services, threatening local hospitals and clinics. In Santa Clara County alone, $1.9 billion in Medi-Cal funding is on the line, jeopardizing care for our most vulnerable neighbors. 

We must act now to protect Medi-Cal and ensure continued access to vital healthcare services for all Californians. Contact your representatives today and voice your opposition to these detrimental cuts.  Learn more about our advocacy efforts and how our Health Team is working to safeguard healthcare access for all Californians: Health — Law Foundation of Silicon Valley.

Federal Policy Changes Affecting Trans Community

Many of the Executive Orders issued by the new presidential administration have targeted and broadly discriminated against transgender people. Examples of the attacks include restricting passports, school censorship, and slashing funding for LGBTQ+ programs. See the article, All the Ways Trump Wants to Exclude People From Public Life.  

One of the first Executive Orders prevented people from having a passport with a gender marker different than their sex assigned at birth and eliminated the non-binary designation on US passports. It also prohibited the Social Security Administration from changing someone’s gender marker to affirm their gender identity.   

Despite the significant impact on Federal agencies, California laws remain unchanged and the Santa Clara County court continues to process name and gender marker change petitions. California residents are also able to obtain California-issued identity documents that align with their gender expression and identity.  

Our Pro Bono Program has been closely tracking litigation, participating in statewide collaboratives, and joining community meetings to stay up-to-date on how policy changes are impacting our community. For our transgender clients who want to change their name with the Social Security Administration (SSA), our Pro Bono Program has partnered with the Health Program so that a Health advocate can accompany a client to their appointment to provide support and ensure the name change process is approved.  

We are committed to supporting the rights of our LGBTQIA+ community and will provide updates as more information becomes available. 

As Shakina, Trans Activist and Performer, says: 
“The government cannot control my sense of self. The government cannot legislate my spirit. The government can try to make life harder, but community makes me stronger.” 

📞 Need help? Call us at 408-280-2420 for questions about name and/or gender marker changes in Santa Clara County. We're here for you.