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Resources for Undocumented Students

Disclaimer: Under Revision

We are in the process of updating this information to reflect the current political situation. We want to make sure this resource remains available while being revised, but please be advised that some information may be out of date.

For recent updates, visit the Immigration Updates and Resources page at CUNY Citizenship Now!

Up-to-date Resources

Know Your Rights!

You have the right to refuse to open the door if asked to by an ICE agent unless they have a warrant signed by a federal judge – they almost never do. If agents say they have a warrant, ask them to slide it under the door. You have the right to remain silent. Do not answer any questions without speaking to a lawyer. Refuse to sign any ICE document without first speaking to a lawyer.

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Red cards from the immigrant legal resource center are business card sized guides that outline your rights and provide guidance if you encounter an immigration agent. Available in multiple languages.

New York Immigration Coalition

Community Resources for immigrant NYers provides printable posters and wallet cards (business sized cards) with guidance on your rights. Available in multiple languages.

Hotlines

NYS Office for New Americans Hotline

Call 1-800-566-7636

Call the NYS Office for New Americans Hotline for questions and suggestions on where to get immigration legal advice. The hotline is free and all call information is confidential. Help is available in 200+ languages.

Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, ACCESS NYC

Call 311

Call 311 and ask for "immigration legal support".

Directories for Legal Services

Immigration Advocates Network

Directory of immigration legal services.

Law Help NY

Directory of free legal service projects and organizations, know your rights and self-help resources. Also available in Spanish.

New York Immigration Coalition

New York City Legal Services organized by borough in English and Spanish.

CUNY Citizenship Now!

Check CUNY Citizenship Now! Latest Immigration Law Updates for recent developments.

My Undocumented Life

Up-to-date information and resources for undocumented students, families and allies.

From the New York Immigration Coalition:

"If you need to report fraud or find legal help for an individual immigration case, please call the New York State New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636.

What is immigrant services fraud?

  • Many dishonest individuals take advantage of immigrants and their desire to live in the United States legally by promising them citizenship, green cards, or work permits in exchange for a lot of money. Dishonest service providers, often referred to as “notarios”, charge high sums and either do not do any work, or file papers for cases that the client is not eligible for. Many times these notarios are not lawyers and are not allowed to provide legal services. In New York State, it is a crime to provide immigration legal services if you are not a lawyer or someone authorized by the US Department of Justice to help immigrants. The most common consequence of Immigrant Services Fraud is that the victim loses money, is no longer able to apply for immigration benefits, and sometimes can be deported from the United States.

Who can provide legal help with immigration issues?

  • Only lawyers who are members of a state bar association in the United States can provide legal help. For immigration issues, DOJ Accredited Representatives that are non-lawyers working at nonprofit organizations that have been granted permission to provide immigration help by the US Department of Justice can also provide legal assistance. However, DOJ representatives can help with immigration issues only.

What can someone who is not a lawyer help me with?

  • If someone is not a lawyer and not a DOJ Accredited Representative, they can only help you translate documents, find documents, or get them fixed (if your child’s birth certificate has a mistake, for example), and help you go to the post office to mail them. They CANNOT choose a form for you or tell you which form to use, tell you what kind of case you should apply for, or if you are eligible for an immigration benefit, or explain to you how to fill out a form that someone else gave you. To obtain immigration forms for free, or find out about the status of your case, visit www.uscis.gov or call 1-800-375-5283."

CUNY’S CITIZENSHIP NOW!

CUNY Citizenship Now! provides free, high quality, and confidential immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship. They have attorneys and paralegals offer one-on-one consultations to assess participants’ eligibility for legal benefits and assist them in applying when qualified.

If you or someone you know has been detained, CUNY Citizenship Now! can provide information on an attorney to assist. Click here for more information. If you are a student, faculty, or staff member abroad, you can write directly to citizenshipnowinfo@cuny.edu if you need assistance. If you must travel abroad, please read this resource for students during any border questioning.

CN!'s Director, immigration attorney Professor Allan Wernick, was a guest on WNYC radio's Brian Lehrer Show (93.9 FM) today at 11:30 (see audio clip below). Professor Wernick has advice regarding two distinct groups of employees, students and others (researchers, visiting scholars and interns) who may need help:

  • For those detained trying to enter the United States, or still abroad and needing guidance, please contact CUNY Citizenship Now! attorney Isabel Bucaram, Esq. by text, phone call or WhatsApp at 646-860-5678. Affected students, faculty and staff abroad can also write directly to citizenshipnowinfo@cuny.edu. CN! will follow up with a phone call if necessary.
  • For affected students, faculty and staff here in the US, regardless of immigrant status, the best advice remains not to travel abroad if at all possible until this is more clarity about ongoing developments. CN! plans to hold a Facebook Live session and create a Facebook page for students to share information and get their questions answered. 
  • Finally, students, faculty, staff--and you--can contact CN! at citizenshipnowinfo@cuny.edu with questions as they arise.

 

The Governor's office has also established a number to assist those affected by the Executive Order: 888-769-7243