EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Research – Reports – News & Other Links
Through our legal and policy advocacy, and technical assistance to our legal services partners, Western Center champions transformative, system-wide public policy solutions to help millions of Californians, particularly those with low-income, achieve economic and racial justice.
OUR WORK
- Persuade and compel public and private institutions to do the right thing
- Engage in impact litigation and policy advocacy at the state and local levels to improve the lives of low-income Californians and to close racial equity gaps
- Advocate for racial justice and the advancement of racial and economic equity
- Provide in-depth support for frontline legal services programs and community advocates
The Resources we provide through this page span a wide variety of topics that impact low income and disadvantaged communities. They include toolkits, information background and research, data and other infographics, and media and organizational links — all of which contribute to the broader knowledge around the issues that affect the communities we serve.
We encourage you to dig deeper into the issues and gain a broader understanding of the critical and important work that we do.
2025 Federal Actions
Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
IHPP Litigation Tracker: Google Doc
Court filing by multiple states – Jan 2025 – addressing the Federal Freeze, dismantling public health, equity, and safety programs (Filing doc is here.)
Democracy 2025 – live tracking of public actions taken to protect rights and freedoms of all citizens. A coalition of 350+ organizations representing millions of people through strategic legal action in courtrooms and communities across the country.
Courtwatch: Lawsuits Related to Trump Admin Executive Orders
Disaster & Emergency Information
California State Government resources
Where to get help after a disaster
Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative
Western Center: Disaster Resources 2025
Health Consumer Alliance: Accessing Care During a State of Emergency
Western Center: Accessing Health Care After Surviving a Disaster
Coalition for Clean Air: The Fires: Air Quality, Public Health and What to Do Next Q & A
Immigrants / Immigration Issues
REPORT: Immigrants’ Recent Effects on Government Budgets: 1994–2023 (Cato Institute Report, Feb 2026)
Immigrants and the U.S. Economy (Migration Policy Institute, 2024)
The impact of immigrants on the US economy (Brookings Institute, March 30, 2026)
California Immigrant Policy Center–Research & Narrative
Immigration Facts: The Positive Economic Impact of Immigration Immigrants and Immigration Mythbusters: Addressing Common Misconceptions (fwd.us, Sept 2020)
The Fiscal Impact of Immigration (Manhattan Institute, Oct 2025 Update)
Immigrants and Health in California (Public Policy Institute, May 2021)
Immigrants & Health (UC Berkeley Labor Center, May 2025)
Covered California – Information for Immigrants
Public Charge Position & Links
Western Center’s unique role in the context of Public Charge is at the intersection of anti-poverty policies and practices to ensure families and children are taken care of and not falling deeper into hunger or poverty. We typically refer calls and federal policy queries to NILC or PIF information. We work in tandem with these organizations but don’t lead as we’re not direct service providers.
Public Charge: What Advocates Need to Know
Indigenous Links & Resources
An Advocate’s Guide to Supporting Indigenous People’s Day
22 Indigenous-Led Organizations Working Toward Social Justice
Rematriation and climate justice: Intersections of indigenous health and place
Empowering Native Voices: The Role of Advocacy by Public Charities
Native Americans: A Crisis in Health Equity
Native Americans & Health Equity
Office of Native American Programs (Housing-HUD)
Indigenous Housing Advocates Describe the Unique Challenges to Homeownership on Tribal Land
The Future of Native American Civil Rights
Rethinking Museum Exhibitions in America
24 Indigenous-Led Podcasts to Explore This Native American Heritage Month
Public Charge Position & Links
Western Center’s unique role in the context of Public Charge is at the intersection of anti-poverty policies and practices to ensure families and children are taken care of and not falling deeper into hunger or poverty.
We typically refer any TA calls to NILC or PIF information. We work in tandem with these organizations but don’t lead as we’re not direct service providers.
- PROTECTING IMMIGRANT FAMILINES (PIF) – https://pifcoalition.org/toolkits/public-charge-regulation/
- NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FORUM –
https://forumtogether.org/article/fact-sheet-immigrants-and-public-benefits-in-2026/
- NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER (NILC) –
- Resources – https://www.nilc.org/resources/
- Public Charge – https://www.nilc.org/resources/public-charge-what-advocates-need-to-know-about-the-november-2025-proposed-rule/
- CATHOLIC LEGAL IMMIGRATION NETWORK, INC (CLINIC) –
https://www.cliniclegal.org/resources/ground-inadmissibility-and-deportability/public-charge/new-public-charge-rule-file
Health Care – Issues & Access
2026 and 2027 Medi-Cal Changes for Adult Immigrants
Medi-Cal and Immigration Enforcement KYR flyer
Health Consumer Alliance Resources–Know Your Rights: Consumer Health Coverage Info
Medi-Cal Immigrant Eligibility FAQs
#Fight4OurHealth – Health Access
Eliminating health care inequities through strengthening access to care
Trump administration gives personal data of immigrant Medicaid enrollees to deportation officials
Privacy Protections in Federal Programs – National Immigration Law Center
Language Rights
National Language Rights Toolkit
Healthcare Practitioner Issues & Resources
Health groups call for suspending state plan on maternal deaths, saying it burdens patients
California Equity In Maternal Health Report: Improving Outcomes for Black Women and Latinas – 10/24
SNAP / CalFresh Resources
CalFresh Screening and Reporting Flow Chart
