Immigration Resources and Information

• CUNY Undocumented and Immigrant Student Programs – CUNY’s centralized department focused on immigrant student success across all 25 campuses
  • CUNY Undocumented Student Support – understand your status and learn about resources on and off campus
  • Know Your Rights When Confronted by ICE – what to do if ICE confronts you in public, in the workplace, or at home
  • Eligibility for in-state tuition and TAP via the New York State Dream Act – check whether you are eligible for financial aid
• CUNY Citizenship Now! – offers free, high-quality, and confidential immigration law services to help you and your family on your path to U.S. citizenship. Provides free consultation and application assistance for naturalization, family-based petitions, Deferred Action and Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), certificates of citizenship, renewal and replacement of immigration documents, full and partial fee waiver requests, and Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Request (FOIA).
  • For help with other immigration issues, please visit immigrationlawhelp.org to find a list of free or low-cost providers, or call 311.
  • Unlocal also has a list of immigration legal services referrals.
• CUNY webinar – What’s Next: Preparing and Supporting Immigrant Students (Jan. 16, 2025)
  • Video and slide deck
• New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students – CUNY will closely adhere to this guidance.
  • From Chancellor Matos Rodriguez (1/30/25): “We will continue to observe existing CUNY policy that requires a judicial warrant for any federal or local law enforcement official who comes to a campus seeking to make an arrest. Should anyone on a campus face this scenario they should contact Public Safety or General Counsel offices in the campuses for guidance.”

• ACLU Know Your Rights - Immigrant Rights
  • Scroll down to select from various scenarios. All are available in English/Spanish, and several are available in other languages. You can also print individual sections or all sections to share with students or have available in public spaces.
• Legal Aid – Immigration & Deportation – Know Your Rights
  • Scroll down to the “Know Your Rights” section. Organized similarly to the ACLU page, but specific to NYC. All Legal Aid’s pages are available in a wide range of languages (select from list in the upper right-hand corner).
  • What You Need to Know About Temporary Protected Status
  • What You Need to Know About Advance Planning for Non-Citizen Parents
• info
  • Digital tool created in partnership with the International Rescue Committee. It’s managed by a team who write in 4 languages (English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole) and can respond to 1-1 questions, refer folks to services and supports, and create (and share out existing) guides and explainers. Attaching the launch email here.
• Asylum Seekers Advocacy Project (ASAP)
• Online community for asylum seekers in the US. Membership is free, but they also have publicly available resources without membership, including a great FAQ and YouTube channel with videos that clearly explain nearly every part of the asylum process in community-friendly language. All resources available in English and Spanish.
• Asylum Seekers: Consider Taking These Steps Before January 2025
• Pro Se Plus Project
  • Similar to ASAP, provides written materials and videos explaining the immigration court process (available in English and Spanish).
• New York Immigration Coalition – Community Resources for Immigrant NYers
  • Most relevant are the Know Your Rights materials (including a great role-playing exercise) and Asylum Seeker Resources.
• NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs – Know Your Rights: Federal Immigration Enforcement
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
  • Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas – Helps immigrants assert their rights under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of immigration status. The ILRC offers free ordering for immigrant-serving organizations and printable versions for personal use. Available in multiple languages to support diverse communities.
  • Immigration Preparedness Toolkit – Resource-packed informational document designed to help immigrants with no legal status or in mixed status families begin to understand the immigration legal landscape.
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) – An ITIN is a 9-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) to enable individuals who do not have SSNs to file and pay taxes. Though the IRS issues ITINs for the sole purpose of enabling people without a SSN to file and pay taxes, an ITIN can be used for various additional purposes – including pursuing career opportunities through independent contracting, freelancing, or starting a business.
• Immigration Court
  • If you are in the immigration court process at 26 Federal Plaza, Legal Services NYC created an amazing guide that helps folks navigate the building and security. Available in six languages.
  • Automated Case Information – Check to see if there has been a decision on your case.
  • S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – If you submitted an application to USCIS, check status here.
• Cómo prepararse en caso de que eres arrestado por ICE
• Ready to Stay and National Partnerships for New Americans – Immigrant Legal Protection Resource Guide
• Prepare for International Travel: Practice Good Digital Hygiene
• Emergency Preparedness for Immigrant Families: A 50 State Resource
• Immigrant Students’ Rights in New York
• You Have The Right To Film ICE

• For undocumented students, families, and communities:
  • United We Dream – A national organization advocating for the rights of undocumented immigrants, offering resources, support, and community organizing tools.
  • Dream Resource Center – Provides legal resources, educational support, and mental health services specifically for undocumented students.
  • The Education Trust – Advocates for educational equity and provides resources for undocumented students navigating higher education.
  • Immigrants Rising – Offers resources for undocumented youth, including legal information, scholarships, and career development.
• For asylum seekers:
  • Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) – Provides legal assistance and support for asylum seekers, including undocumented individuals facing deportation.
• National and local immigration policy and actions:
  • National Immigration Law Center (NILC) – Focuses on protecting and promoting the rights of low-income immigrants through legal advocacy and policy work.
  • UnidosUS (formerly known as National Council of La Raza (NCLR)) – A leading Latino civil rights organization that provides tools and resources for immigrant families, including advocacy and educational programs.
  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – Offers legal assistance and advocacy for the rights of immigrants, including resources on what to do if approached by immigration authorities.
  • Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – Provides legal information and resources for immigrants, including guides on immigration law and rights.
  • American Immigration Council – Provides educational resources and reports on immigration issues, including guides for immigrants and their families.
  • Immigrant Advocates Network – Provides a comprehensive resource platform for immigrant advocates, offering tools, training, and support to enhance advocacy efforts. The network focuses on promoting the rights of immigrants through education, collaboration, and community engagement.
  • Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) – Provides legal support to community-based organizations and engages in targeted litigation. Has helpful Know Your Rights with ICE materials in different languages.
  • National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) – Provides legal assistance and technical support to immigrant communities, legal practitioners, and advocates
  • Immigration Policy Tracking Project – Catalogues every known Trump administration immigration policy

• New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) – A leading advocacy organization that offers resources, and community education for immigrants in New York.
• Empire Justice Center – Provides legal assistance and advocacy for low-income immigrants in New York, including resources on family-based immigration and public benefits.
• New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) – Offers resources and services for immigrants in NYC, including legal assistance and community outreach programs.
• Catholic Charities of New York – Offers immigration legal services, including assistance with citizenship applications and family reunification.
• Asian American Federation – Provides resources and support for Asian immigrants in New York, including legal assistance and community programs.
• New York State Office for New Americans (ONA) – Offers resources, including free legal services, business assistance, and community outreach for immigrants across New York State.
• Immigrant Justice Corps – Provides legal representation and support for immigrants in New York through a fellowship program. Hosts organizations list: https://justicecorps.org/host-organizations/
• New York State Department of Health: Immigrant Health Resources – Offers information about health care access for immigrants, including programs available to undocumented individuals.
• Legal Aid Society: Immigration Law Unit – Provides comprehensive immigration assistance to low-income New Yorkers, including direct legal representation, removal defense, and support for unaccompanied youth. They offer resources in multiple languages and advocate for immigrant rights through various projects, including the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project.
• New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) – Offers free legal services to low-income individuals, including immigrants, addressing issues such as immigration, housing, and public benefits. NYLAG provides advocacy, education, and representation to empower underserved communities.
• Unlocal – Focuses on providing legal services and advocacy for immigrants in New York City. The organization offers support for individuals facing immigration issues, including representation in court and assistance with navigating complex legal systems. Unlocal aims to empower immigrant communities through education and resource sharing.
• Documented NY – Independent, non-profit newsroom dedicated to reporting with and for immigrant communities in New York City.
• New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) – Provides free consultations and has many resources, including Guidance to Nonprofits Regarding Immigration Enforcement.
• Lawyers Alliance for New York – Works with nonprofit organizations, providing legal services including on immigration issues.

• Local community-based organizations – May offer intake, resources, know your rights, and other educational materials. Please contact organizations directly for the most up-to-date information on what they are offering.
  • The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (Tribeca, Manhattan)
  • Desis Rising Up & Moving (Jackson Heights, Queens)
  • Make the Road NY (city-wide)
    • Deportation Defense Manual
  • Neighbor’s Link (Westchester, NY)
  • New York State Youth Leadership Council (city-wide)
• Student/educator resources
  • Data Protections for FAFSA
  • 10 Practices to Safeguard Student Data
  • National Review - Quick Checklist and Guide if ICE visits a University Campus or Institutions
  • Higher Education Portal - State and Country legislation
  • FAFSA Hub for Mixed-status families
  • Rights and Protections Hubs
  • Senate Bill - Empire State Licensing Act
  • Senate Bill - to expand in-state tuition

• US list of inclusive internships and fellowships
• Queens College Professional Development for Undocumented & Immigrant Students

• Navigating the financial side of your education can be overwhelming. Reaching out for assistance can open doors to scholarships, grants, and other opportunities tailored just for you, easing your financial burden. For assistance with financial aid visit: https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu/financialaid/index.html
• If you are dealing with food insecurity, please visit the Access Resource Center Food Pantry  in T4 - 157.
• CUNY will continue to support financial aid for undocumented and other immigrant students through the José Peralta New York State DREAM Act and US scholarship program. Students from mixed-status families who are concerned about applying for aid through the NYS DREAM Act can find guidance here.
• Immigrants Rising has a list of scholarships and fellowships that don’t require proof of U.S. citizenship.
• MALDEF has a scholarship resource guide. 

 Gavin Ireland
Interim Assistant Vice President of Enrollment
Gavin.Ireland@kbcc.cuny.edu

Helen-Margaret Nasser
Director, Student Union and Intercultural Center
Helen.Nasser@kbcc.cuny.edu