NYC.gov’s website offers a good roadmap to legal assistance (visas and special statuses) available to immigrants. As far as finding a lawyer, this document lists both organizations offering pro bono legal services as well as low-cost immigration attorneys. The NY Immigration Coalition provides abundant resources in more than 10 languages, including Know Your Rights materials.
Other Resources
- Request RED CARDS with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center
- Resources with educators working with immigrant youth from the United Teachers Federation
- Q&A from Know Your Rights trainings, compiled by Project Rousseau
- NYC Welcome Guide Multilingual Rights and Resources
- NYC Rights
- Family Preparedness Plan (ILRC)
- Deportation Defense Manual (Make the Road NY)
- “Know Your Rights to Defend Your Rights” English Version– Mijente, GLAHR, Puente Movement
- Multilingual Rental Guide
- French Language Resources for Asylum Seekers
- National legal services database can be searched here.
Organizations to Follow & Support
- Join the Documented WhatsApp group for asylees and consult their incredibly thorough resource list of immigrants
- Use the Detention Watch Network Membership Directory to find an organization to support and an ally near you.
- The Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR) offers a “hotline” that provides Latino immigrants and their families, in the event that they are mistreated, abused, or detained, with information and referrals. Call 770-457-5232
- The Immigrant Justice Network is a leading advocacy voice against the criminalization of immigrants in the United States. Keep up with executive orders and local acts/proposals with their bilingual coverage.
- Movimiento Cosecha is a national, non-violent movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity, and respect for all undocumented immigrants.
- Last week we wrote about the Dignity Not Detention penpal campaign; take things a step farther and join the NYC Democratic Socialists of America Immigrant Justice Working Group
- New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and precarious immigrant workers in New York, with a focus on day laborers, domestic workers, and newly arrived immigrants. Learn more on how to participate
Education
- Citizenship Now: The Citizenship Project offers free online citizenship courses for green card holders. 5-week courses are available in English and Spanish. Sign up here, or email thecitizenshipproject@nyhistory.org with questions.
- Free ESOL classes are available for all levels at Brooklyn Public Library.
Employment
New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable and precarious immigrant workers in New York, with a focus on day laborers, domestic workers, and newly arrived immigrants. Learn more on how to participate