Skip to Main Content

Resources for Undocumented Students

Protected Areas

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

 

Local Immigration Legal Services

LawHelpNY.org

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

Bronx
Emerald Isle Immigration Center no fees
Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice no fees

Manhattan​
African Hope Committee, Inc.
Catholic Charities Community Services, Immigration Legal Services no fees
City College Immigration Center no fees
City Bar Justice Center no fees

Queens

CLEAR – Creating law Enforcement Accountability and Responsibility services are provided free of charge.
CLEAR
Main Street Legal Services
CUNY School of Law
2 Court Square
Long Island City, NY 11101-4356
E-mail: cunyclear@law.cuny.edu

Phone: (718) 340-4558

Additional Resources

Student 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?”

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.”

Immigrants Rising

(Formerly Educators for Fair Consideration) "With resources and support, undocumented people are able to get an education, pursue careers, and build a brighter future for themselves and their community."

Government Resources

Brooklyn Public Library

Naturalization and other legal help-related events for immigrants listed on their calendar. Contact information for individual immigration consultations, legal services and information sessions is available on the immigrant legal services page.

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.”

IDNYC - NYC.gov

“Launched in 2015, IDNYC is the largest and most successful municipal ID program in the country! IDNYC is a card for all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status. IDNYC benefits all city residents, including those from some of our most vulnerable communities – the unhoused, youth, the formerly incarcerated, and others who may have difficulty obtaining a government-issued photo ID. The IDNYC card is free for all New Yorkers. The free, municipal identification card for New York City residents, ages 10 and up, provides access to a wide variety of services and programs offered by the City.”

Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, ACCESS NYC

(Formerly ActionNYC) " offers free and safe immigration legal help, regardless of immigration status. Services are offered by trusted legal service providers at community-based organizations, hospitals, and schools."

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.”

New York City Based Organizations

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.

CAMBA

Large social services agency that provides an array of services including immigration-related legal help.

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.”

Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights

“The Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR), is a non-profit organization, founded in 1982 to educate, defend and protect the rights of immigrants. Recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals, NMCIR is committed to expanding access to legal immigration services, participating in policy making and community organizing.”

National Organizations

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.”

Informational Resources

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.” (From 2015)

Resources for Immigration Lawyers

"Guide with free research/management tools, translations services, lawyer referral services, organizational materials, and research guides. Created by the Social Responsibilities Special Interest Section (SR-SIS) in 2017."

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.”