Subject Guides: Resources for Undocumented Students: Local Services

Protected Areas

Schools and churches are considered “protected areas” by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Protected Areas Policy

Additional Resources

Citizenship Advise for College Students “There are an estimated 65,000 undocumented students — children born abroad who are not U.S. citizens or legal residents — who graduate from U.S. high schools each year. These children are guaranteed an education in U.S. public schools through grade 12, but may face legal and financial barriers to higher education. What can you tell undocumented students about their options for college?”

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee “ADC is a civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage. ADC was founded by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk in 1980. Today, ADC is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S.. ADC supports the human and civil rights of all people and opposes racism and bigotry in any form.”

The Arab American Family Support Center “The Arab-American Family Support Center empowers new immigrants with the tools they need to successfully acclimate to the world around them and become active participants in their communities.”

Bronx Defenders- New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP) NYIFUP provides free, high-quality legal representation to every indigent immigrants facing deportation in the City of New York, as well as to detained New Yorkers facing deportation in the nearby immigration courts in New Jersey.

Brooklyn Public Library has naturalization and other legal help-related events for immigrants listed on their calendar. They have also created this useful directory of immigrant legal services.

CAMBA is a large social services agency that provides an array of services including immigration-related legal help.

Commission on Human Rights - NYC.gov “The New York City Human Rights Law is one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation. The Law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on race, color, religion/creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including sexual harassment), gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, marital status, and partnership status. Interns, whether paid or not, are considered employees under the Law.”

Educators for Fair Consideration “We provide life-changing financial support that enables undocumented young people to overcome systemic barriers.”

IDNYC - NYC.gov “New York City residents are now able to sign up for IDNYC – a government-issued identification card that is available to all City residents age 14 and older. Immigration status does not matter. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this initiative in his State of the City address in January 2014 and less than one year later proudly launched the largest municipal identification card program in the nation.”

Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Action NYC "provides free, safe immigration legal help in your community and in your language ... The ActionNYC network is made up of trusted community organizations and attorneys who will provide the services that immigrants need in the communities that they call home and in the languages that they speak."

New York ACLU - American Civil Liberties Union “When the government has the power to deny legal rights and due process to one vulnerable group, everyone’s rights are at risk. The ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project is dedicated to expanding and enforcing the civil liberties and civil rights of immigrants and to combating public and private discrimination against them.”

Resource Guide: Supporting Undocumented Youth “In an effort to ensure that all students have access to a world-class education that prepares them for college and careers, the U.S. Department of Education released a resource guide today to help educators, school leaders and community organizations better support undocumented youth, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.”

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) “This page provides information on requesting consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA). You may request DACA for the first time or renew your existing period of DACA if it is expiring.”

My Undocumented Life: Up-to-date Information & Resources for Undocumented Immigrants “Our mission at My Undocumented Life blog is to provide up-to-date information and resources to undocumented immigrants. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advanced Parole, news on DAPA, and much more.”

CUNY 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. Our attorneys and paralegals offer one-on-one consultations to assess participants’ eligibility for legal benefits and assist them in applying when qualified.”