Legal and Community Resources
Last Updated: January 2025
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This empowerment campaign has videos that show how to prepare for and safely defend our rights during encounters with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Videos: • When ICE Is Outside Our Doors
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Red cards are small cards containing key information about your rights and what to do when interacting with law enforcement or immigration authorities. They are designed to be easily carried and used as a quick reference.
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This tracker compiles all immigration policy changes and is updated as policies and implementation change.
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This comprehensive manual provides information, resources and a guide to create a plan of action to protect yourself and your community when dealing with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Links: English | Spanish | Español
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The NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs has created Know Your Rights booklets that explains your rights if approached by (ICE)
Links: English | Arabic | العربية | Bengali | বাঙালি | Chinese (Simplified) | 简化字 | Chinese (Traditional) | 正體字 | French | français | Haitian Creole | kreyòl ayisyen | Korean | 한국어 | Polish | Polskie | Russian | русский | Spanish | Español
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The NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs has created this guide that explains what to do if someone you know is detained.
Links: English | Arabic | العربية | Bengali | বাঙালি | Chinese (Simplified) | 简化字 | Chinese (Traditional) | 正體字 | French | français | Haitian Creole | kreyòl ayisyen | Korean | 한국어 | Polish | Polskie | Pular | Pulaar | Russian | русский | Spanish | Español | Urdu | اردو | Wolof | Wolof
Town Hall Meeting Resources
Guides available on RUSA LGBTQ+'s website:
Maxim Ibadov (They/He): We also always look for volunteers for RUSA LGBTQ+ as well, we have programs such as Rainbow Connections that help newly arrived immigrants pair up with American English speakers for the purposes of language practice, adaptation, and companionship. https://www.rusalgbtq.org/volunteer
NYC Care is open to New York City residents, regardless of immigration status, who meet the following criteria:
1) Be between the ages of 19-64; and
2) Live in one of the five boroughs of NYC*; and
3) Be screened by NYC H+H Financial Counselors through the NY State of Health Marketplace as not eligible for *Medicaid Managed Care or other health insurance plan available in NYS (*those with Emergency Medicaid can still apply for NYC Care); and
4) Can otherwise not afford health insurance based on income guidelines
NYC Care: NYC Care is a health care access program that provides its members free to low-cost services at NYC Health + Hospitals and Gotham Health Center facilities (our 41 locations only). For more info: https://www.nyccare.nyc/about/
Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.raisinghealth.org/volunteer
Additional Resources
If you or an NYC resident you know needs immigration legal support, you can call the City-funded, free, and safe MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 between 9am-6pm, or call 311 and say, “immigration legal”.
NYLPI Justice Through Community Power: Immigration Enforcement Resources
Volunteer interpreters may be able to offer their skills to nonprofit organizations around the city who may need support in serving community members. Otherwise, folks with language skills may be interested in volunteering to teach conversational English via We Speak NYC.
There are 22 community-based organizations who specifically do NYC Care outreach and education - you may be able to volunteer directly with them (including Raising Health).
Folks who need immigration legal support may reach out to NYC's hotline 800-354-0365.
MOIA has a list of community organizations that provide immigration legal support. Folks might consider reaching out to see if they need volunteers.
More about REAL ID from Dept. of Homeland Security
Know Your Rights: Federal Immigration Enforcement (ICE) - MOIA
In addition to the mental health resources provided by Raising Health, If anyone needs immediate, no-cost/low-cost mental health services, NYC has gathered the bulk of its mental health services under one umbrella – the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health.
Resources include 988 - Call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org. This is 24/7 free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance use support, information, and referrals. Behavioral health professionals there can link you to the services you need. They can provide support in over 200 languages over the phone. Text and chat support are available in English and Spanish. Health insurance is not required. More info on 988 is available here.