Support Groups for People Legalizing

Join our Support Groups for People Legalizing to stay grounded, navigate uncertainty, and be connected to a community while you explore new immigration options.

These are supportive spaces, led by trained mental health providers with shared lived experience, that help participants move forward on their journey to lawful status. Though not workshops or legal consultations, participants are able to safely explore the emotions that can sometimes arise during the legalization process: the fear of being denied; the anxiety of traveling abroad; and the exhaustion of being subject to ever-changing, unpredictable immigration policies. They also learn practical skills for managing emotional and psychological challenges.

In addition to being part of support groups, participants are able to attend optional Q&A sessions with legal experts who answer general questions, as well as with formerly undocumented individuals who share personal experiences and reflections about their legalization journeys.

Note: Though participation in these support groups can be therapeutic, these groups are not a form of therapy.

Who can join these groups?
More questions? Check out our FAQ

Current Support Groups (March-April 2026) - No Longer Accepting Registrations

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A New Chapter: Considering Life Outside the U.S. - Registration Closed

This 6-week group is for individuals considering leaving the U.S. and relocating abroad for safety, work, lifestyle, or legal status. Participants may be considering returning to their home countries or moving to other countries.

Meeting Time:

Group 1: Mondays, 5:30–6:30 PM PT (8:30–9:30 PM ET)

Group 2: Mondays, 6:30–7:30 PM PT (9:30–10:30 PM ET)

Dates: 3/09, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/06 & 4/13

Facilitator: Jose Perez

Guest Attorney: Camiel Becker, Senior Attorney at Path2Papers at Cornell Law School

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An Extraordinary Opportunity: Pursuing an O-1A Visa - Registration Closed

This 6-week group is for individuals actively pursuing, or looking to pursue, an O-1A visa. The O-1A visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability. Unlike the H-1B, the O-1A has no cap, no lottery, and no $100K fee. It can be processed within 15 days (with premium processing), extended indefinitely, and sponsored by an employer, agent or an organization. Read more about the O-1A visa here.

Meeting Time: Mondays, 6:30–7:30 PM PT (9:30–10:30 PM ET)

Dates: 3/09, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/06 & 4/13

Facilitator: Huyen “Kiki” Vo

Guest Attorney: Dan Berger, Senior Attorney at Path2Papers at Cornell Law School

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After the Diploma: Recent College Graduates Pursuing Legalization - Registration Closed

This 6-week group is for individuals who have recently graduated from college (within the last 3 years) and are actively pursuing, or looking to pursue, a legalization pathway.

Meeting Time: Thursdays, 6:00–7:00 PM PT (9:00–10:00 PM ET)

Dates: 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/02, 4/09 & 4/16

Facilitator: Mayra Almanza

Guest Attorney: Raju Patel, Staff Attorney at Path2Papers at Cornell Law School

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Change for Change-Makers: Social Justice Leaders Pursuing Legalization - Registration Closed

This 6-week group is for individuals working in social justice, including but not limited to those working in immigrant rights, who are pursuing lawful status. The group will help participants understand and cope with potential risks that social justice leaders face when interacting with immigration authorities. It will also help participants balance their pursuit of individual and community goals.

Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 5:00–6:00 PM PT (8:00–9:00 PM ET)

Dates: 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/01, 4/08 & 4/15

Facilitator: Kissu Taffere

Guest Attorney: Krsna Avila, Legal Director at Path2Papers at Cornell Law School

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Switching Gears: Overcoming Obstacles to Legalization After Setbacks - Registration Closed

This 6-week group is for individuals who need to explore new pathways to legalization after changes in their personal or work circumstances or broader immigration policies that have made their original pathway unavailable to them. We welcome individuals who have been impacted by recent changes to asylum, TPS, H-1B, or other immigration policies.

Meeting Time: Tuesdays, 5:00–6:00 PM PT (8:00–9:00 PM ET)

Dates: 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/07 & 4/14

Facilitator: Kissu Taffere

Guest Attorney: Megan Kludt, Senior Attorney at Path2Papers at Cornell Law School

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