BAKERSFIELD, CA. — Cal State University Bakersfield has rolled out free immigration legal services for students and employees this week.
Gabriella Fernandez, who works for the Dolores Huerta Foundation, hailed the move and said it creates a more inviting campus.
"I think it just means that students are going to feel more welcome to go to a university and they are going to feel welcome because they have the resources now," said Fernandez.
This was the first week the university had lawyers and representatives on hand from the non-profit Immigrant Legal Defense.
Services include guiding people with immigration legal questions, DACA renewals and filling out forms such as family based petitions.
"I have come across some students who didn't even renew their DACA because they didn't know where to go, some students didn't even know they were eligible for DACA, so I feel like this will really help them by streamlining the information," said Fernandez.
CSUB is among 21 other CSU campuses offering these immigration legal services to students and employees across the state.
According to CSU, 9,500 students are undocumented.
For those students, CSU hopes the resources provide a new sense of peace of mind and allows students the opportunity to pursue higher education.
To learn more about the services and schedule an appointment, click here.
