Local social service agencies and legal representatives held an immigration legal clinic Friday in Yuma.
The clinic was offered at the Yuma County Law Library to inform residents of their rights when it comes to cases of citizenship, petitioning for a relative, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program for young people brought into the U.S. as children and asylum cases.
Yuma immigration lawyer Sebastian Sanchez said he welcomed the chance to speak with people who are looking to apply for citizenship.
“Our goal was to inform people of their rights, what people can do in case they have an encounter with law enforcement or immigration officers," Sanchez said. "The most important thing is to know your rights.”
The clinic was held in support with Chicanos Por La Causa, the Yuma County Superior Court, the Yuma County Bar Association and the Mexican Consulate.
The county law library serves the general public and local community including judges and attorneys by providing access to the law and legal information. Staff members provide self-service forms including divorce, guardianship, establishment of legal decision making, parenting time and child support, among other court documents.
The law library also conducts free legal clinics where local attorneys volunteer their time to provide general information to the public. Staffers also work together with Community Legal Services to provide free consultation with an attorney.