Centro Legal De La Raza - Oakland, CA

Dedicated Bilingual Legal Representation in Oakland

Founded in 1969 by Latino law students from UC Berkeley School of Law, Centro Legal de la Raza has spent more than five decades serving as an essential pillar of justice in the East Bay. Located in the vibrant Fruitvale district of Oakland on East 12th Street, the organization protects and advances the civil rights of immigrants, low-wage workers, and tenants throughout Alameda County and Northern California. By pairing culturally competent legal counsel with bilingual education and assertive courtroom litigation, Centro Legal ensures that economic hardship never prevents community members from securing zealous legal advocacy. Individuals and families looking to find an attorney for pressing immigration emergencies or workplace injustices rely on the organization for principled legal protection.

Immigrants Rights and Deportation Defense

Navigating the complex United States immigration system requires experienced, compassionate guidance. The legal team functions as dedicated immigration lawyers, deportation defense lawyers, family immigration lawyers, and citizenship lawyers, representing individuals and families before the Executive Office for Immigration Review and federal agencies. Key areas of immigration advocacy include:

• Removal and Deportation Defense: Defending detained and non-detained immigrants facing removal proceedings in immigration court, securing bond hearings, and pursuing cancellation of removal.
• Asylum and Humanitarian Protections: Preparing intricate asylum claims for individuals fleeing violence, political persecution, and torture in their home countries.
• DACA and TPS Applications: Helping young adults and long-term community members renew Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status documentation.
• U-Visas and VAWA Petitions: Securing legal residency pathways for survivors of domestic violence, violent crime, and human trafficking who collaborate with law enforcement.
• Citizenship and Naturalization: Assisting eligible lawful permanent residents with the naturalization process, fee waivers, and English test exemption requests.

Workers Rights and Employment Justice

Vulnerable workers often confront egregious labor code violations without knowing where to turn. As determined employment and labor lawyers, wage and hour lawyers, workplace discrimination lawyers, and harassment lawyers, the firm's advocates enforce workplace protections. The workers rights program addresses nonpayment of minimum wages and overtime, stolen tips, misclassification, meal and rest break denials, and unlawful retaliation. When employees need to hire an employment attorney to challenge harassment, racial discrimination, or wrongful termination, Centro Legal provides the thorough legal representation needed to hold unscrupulous employers accountable.

Tenant Protection and Housing Defense

Preserving community stability requires keeping families in their homes. Centro Legal operates one of the most effective tenant defense programs in Northern California, providing full-scope representation to renters confronting wrongful eviction notices, unsafe living conditions, utility shut-offs, and discriminatory rent increases. The housing team works tirelessly in Alameda County courts to assert local rent stabilization protections and defend tenant security.

Recognized Impact and Community Advocacy

Through pioneering impact litigation and coalition leadership, Centro Legal de la Raza has achieved historic class action victories, earning prestigious recognitions including the Daily Journal California Lawyer of the Year Award and the OneJustice Champions of Justice Award. For community members seeking trusted legal assistance, the organization provides accessible drop-in clinics, consultation services, and relentless advocacy designed to achieve enduring social justice.