Asylum and Refugee Law in California
This page covers asylum and refugee law as it applies in California — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what asylum and refugee protects generally, see the national overview.
Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this
Laws that govern asylum and refugee in California
California state law
- GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA › EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS › Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development › Local Government Immigrant Integration InitiativeCA GOV § 12100.141
- PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES › AID AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE › Services for Undocumented PersonsCA WIC § 13301
- DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS › The DepartmentCA BPC § 135.4
- PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES › AID AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE › Enhanced Services for Asylees and Vulnerable NoncitizensCA WIC § 13650
- PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES › AID AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE › Basic Health Care › General ProvisionsCA WIC § 14011.3
- PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES › COUNTY AID AND RELIEF TO INDIGENTS › General ProvisionsCA WIC § 17001.7
Federal law
- Title 8 — Aliens and Nationality
The U.S. Code title that houses these federal statutes.
- Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (McCarran-Walter)
Foundation of modern U.S. immigration law. Substantially amended by the Hart-Celler Act (1965), IRCA (1986), and IIRIRA (1996). Codified at 8 U.S.C. ch. 12.
- Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
Required employer verification (I-9), criminalized hiring unauthorized workers, and legalized about 2.7 million long-resident undocumented immigrants.
- Refugee Act of 1980
Created the modern U.S. refugee resettlement program and standardized asylum procedures. Amended the INA.
Where to go & how to get help
Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for asylum and refugee in California.
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.
Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.