Increasing Legal Services Providers for LGBTQ+ Immigrants

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representative Program is a government initiative that aims to increase the availability of competent immigration legal representation for low-income persons, and to promote more equitable access to legal services.

The DOJ Accredited Program was created with the intention to increase access to the legal profession for those from non-traditional legal backgrounds and provide more inclusive legal representation as a result. Oasis currently has five Accredited Representatives supporting our clients — four in Berkeley, and one in the Central Valley. 

On April 19, 2023, Marcelo López, one of Oasis’ soon-to-be DOJ Accredited Representatives, attended a DOJ Accredited Representative Focus Group, intended to help the California State Bar learn more about the effectiveness of the program. Participating organizations were selected based on the number of DOJ Accredited Representatives they have at their respective organizations. The conversation among Accredited Representatives turned into a dialogue about their experiences as participants in the program and how their accreditation has positively impacted their organizations.

Participants recognized a need for DOJ Accredited Representatives after interactions with notarios (non-attorney legal professionals) in rural communities and witnessing an inability for working-class families to afford private lawyers. DOJ Accredited Representatives provide critical access to the legal system for low-income immigrant communities and almost exclusively lend their services to nonprofits. Organizations like Oasis participate in the DOJ Accreditation program to close the gap for people who need and have historically been unable to access legal services.

There are multiple steps to the accreditation process. First, an organization must become recognized by the DOJ as an organization that provides immigration legal services primarily to low-income clients. Processing time for organizations to receive DOJ accreditation generally ranges from a year and a half to two years. Once organizations become accredited, training begins for their legal representatives. 

Throughout the program, Accredited Representatives receive ongoing mentorship from experienced attorneys, making this a truly enriching experience and worthy investment for participants and the organizations they work for. 

Although this program gives non-attorneys access to representing clients, one of the biggest barriers for nonprofits hoping to participate in this program is funding to train their staff to become DOJ Accredited Representatives.

Oasis is grateful to receive support from the California Department of Social Services to provide legal advocates, like Marcelo, with the opportunity to become Accredited Representatives.

Click here to learn more about the Department of Justice’s Accreditation Program and how your organization can also support low-income communities access legal services.