General
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/legal-services/deferred-action.page
Legal Services and Information
CUNY Citizenship Now!
Citizenship Now! provides assistance at no cost with applications for green card renewals, citizenship, DACA, and TPS. DACA recipients may be eligible for another immigration option to get a work permit or even a green card. If you have questions about DACA or any other immigration law matter, contact CUNY Citizenship Now! at 212-652-2071 or email us your questions at citizenshipnowinfo@cuny.edu.
ActionNYC
ActionNYC is the City’s initiative that provides free, safe, and confidential legal immigration help for New Yorkers. For any qauestions or concerns you have regarding immigration status, call 800-354-0365 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or call 311 and say “ActionNYC.” https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/legal-services/actionnyc.page
Know Your Rights: Federal Immigration Enforcement
If you are approached by federal immigration enforcement agents, such as ICE, be aware that you have rights. See fact sheet in multiple languages to learn more about what to do in an encounter with immigration enforcement. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/legal-services/deportation-defense.page
Immigrant Defense Project
The Immigrant Defense Project cannot provide direct representation in immigration removal proceedings, but can offer individualized advice.
Know Your Rights: Community Defense from ICE Raids and Deportation
https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/what-we-do/advocacy/community-defense/
Pro bono legal services providers in New York
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/ProBonoNY/download
Education
In-State Tuition at CUNY
New York State provides in-state tuition to its non-citizen New York high school graduates regardless of your immigration status. http://www.cuny.edu/financial-aid/tuition-and-college-costs/tuition-fees/#undergraduate-tuition
José Peralta New York State DREAM Act
The New York State DREAM Act allows undocumented and other students to qualify for New York State‐administered financial aid and scholarships, including the Excelsior Scholarship, the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and other state‐administered scholarships. https://www.cuny.edu/financial-aid/applying-for-financial-aid/jose-peralta-new-york-state-dream-act/ and https://www.hesc.ny.gov/dream/
The Dream.US Scholarships: National Scholarship
The National Scholarship is for high school or community college graduates who meet TheDream.US immigration eligibility criteria and qualify for in-state tuition. https://www.thedream.us/scholarships/
Undergraduate Scholarships That Do Not Require Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency
Post-Secondary Education: A Tip Sheet for Undocumented Students
https://www.nasfaa.org/uploads/documents/Tip_Sheet_for_Undocumented_Students_2020-21.pdf
Health
NYC Health and Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals offers low-cost health care and will honor your right to privacy. You will not be asked about your immigration status when you receive care. https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/seek-care-without-fear-know-the-facts/
Resources for Immigrants Communities during COVID
COVID Testing
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page
NYC Health Clinics
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/allclinics.page
Medicaid and CHIP
Under New York State law, DACA recipients remain eligible for state-funded Medicaid and CHIP, regardless of any federal changes to or termination of the DACA program. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-ensures-medicaid-coverage-daca-recipients-regardless-federal-action
Mental Health
CUNY colleges have counseling centers that can assist with counseling or referrals. https://www.cuny.edu/current-students/student-affairs/student-services/counseling/
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene/ NYC Well
Mental health services are available regardless of immigration status and in many languages. Visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website to make an appointment, or call 311. https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/
Food Insecurity
Meals and food are available for free to all New Yorkers no matter what your immigration status is. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/city-services/resources-for-immigrant-communities-during-covid-19-pandemic.page
Protection against Discrimination
The New York City Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived “alienage and citizenship status,” and “national origin,” by most employers, housing providers, and providers of public accommodations in New York City. It also prohibits discriminatory harassment and bias-based profiling by law enforcement. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/cchr/downloads/pdf/publications/immigration-guidance.pdf
Employment
Under federal law employers can refuse to hire or continue the employment of non citizens without work authorization as it is unlawful for employers to hire non-citizens without work authorization. https://labor.ny.gov/ui/claimantinfo/beforeyouapplyfaq.shtm#23
Regardless of the possible termination of DACA, DACA beneficiaries may continue to use their SSN to work as an independent contractor or start a business; both options do not require work authorization. https://immigrantsrising.org/wp-content/uploads/Immigrants-Rising_Basic-Facts-About-Entrepreneurship.pdf
Drivers’ Licenses
All New Yorkers regardless of immigration status can obtain drivers’ licenses. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/city-services/drivers-licenses-for-all.page and https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/driver-licenses-and-green-light-law
Free Tax Preparation
NYC FREE Virtual Tax Prep: The tax filing deadline for 2019 tax returns is July 15, 2020.
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-your-taxes.page
Advocacy Organizations: Immigrants’ Rights
- Make the Road https://maketheroadny.org/issue/immigration/
- New York Immigrants Coalition https://www.nyic.org/
- The New York State Youth Leadership Council https://www.nysylc.org/
- The Hispanic Federation https://hispanicfederation.org/programs/immigration/