Please view our video for a summary of our history and work in Orange County
Since the 1990s, Advancing Justice-LA has worked on key legal and civil rights issues affecting Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) in Orange County.
Our work has included legal services, advocacy campaigns, and impact lawsuits – particularly for hate crime victims and in challenging race discrimination – as well as civic engagement, from citizenship assistance to voter protection and voter engagement.
In 2006, Advancing Justice-LA opened an office in Garden Grove to more directly serve and connect with AANHPIs living in Orange County, particularly those who are low-income or recent immigrants. During the past decade, we have greatly expanded our legal services in Orange County, aiding thousands of clients and callers. Many have been amongst the most vulnerable in our community, such as domestic violence survivors, undocumented immigrants seeking deferred action status, and immigrants in the process of being deported.
As we enter the second decade of our Orange County office, we recognize the need for a stronger advocacy voice and presence for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Thus we are launching a new effort to engage with existing community groups, leaders, elected officials, media, etc. in Orange County, including the hiring of our first Orange County Regional Director and the creation of two advisory councils. With the support of key corporations, law firms, bar associations and foundations based in Orange County, we are re-envisioning our role in Orange County and building a coalition of diverse AANHPI community leaders, organizers and advocates who can work with us to address unmet needs, civically engage our communities, and advocate for racial and economic justice.
Orange County residents seeking legal assistance, please contact our toll-free helplines.
About Orange County
With over 600,000 Asian Americans and over 19,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders now living in Orange County, Orange County is home to the third largest Asian American population in the United States. Please click here to read more.
History of Advancing Justice in Orange County
Although we have had a physical office in Garden Grove only since 2006, Advancing Justice-LA has worked on key legal and civil rights issues affecting AANHPI communities in Orange County for most of our history. We have provided legal services, led advocacy campaigns and litigated impact lawsuits as well as promoted citizenship and voter participation in the nation's fastest growing Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander population. Please click here to read more.
Current Orange County Programs
In 2006, after working in Orange County for many years, we opened a small office in Garden Grove. The Advancing Justice-Orange County office allowed us to expand our legal services in Orange County and help thousands of clients and callers, particularly those who are low-income or recent immigrants. Currently, we provide legal intake in seven Asian languages and have a Vietnamese immigration attorney located in Orange County. In 2016, we plan to expand our work providing immigration (including helping undocumented youth apply for deferred action status) and citizenship assistance as well as outreaching and enrolling low- and moderate-income AANHPIs in health insurance. We also provide support to local organizers fighting for district-based elections and Orange County organizations engaged in voter turnout activities. Please click here to read more.
Orange County Advisory Councils
There are two advisory bodies supporting the OC office - the Orange County Executive Advisory Council (OC EAC) and the Orange County Community Advisory Council (OC CAC). Created in 2015, the OC EAC focuses on sustaining the OC office and Advancing Justice's work in Orange County, and is comprised of leaders from the corporate and legal sectors who provide fundraising and pro bono support. A year after the launch of the OC Executive Advisory Council, the OC CAC was created to help Advancing Justice build a more visible and powerful voice for AANHPIs in Orange County. The OC CAC includes key leaders from the local AANHPI and nonprofit sector, law schools and universities, and the judiciary. Please click here to read more.
Transforming Orange County: Assets and Needs of Asian Americans & Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
Orange County—the third-most populous county in California and the sixth-most populous in the United States—exemplifies the major demographic shifts sweeping the nation. These shifts have transformed this predominantly homogenous, White, and suburban county into one that is highly diverse and urbanizing, where Asian Americans & Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA&NHPI) now comprise 21% of the county’s 3 million residents. With nearly 600,000 Asian Americans and over 19,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI), Orange County is home to the nation’s third-largest AA&NHPI population. Please click here to read more.
Orange County Circle of Justice
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