Immigration
Informational Resources
Despite the flood of executive orders and fear tactics coming from the White House, we must stay focused and not give in to panic. While Trump’s deportation policies remain a real concern, I want to reassure immigrant families: continue your normal activities—attend school, access city services, and interact with city agencies and nonprofits.
New York’s sanctuary protections are strong and in place. All New Yorkers—regardless of immigration status—have rights and access to city services.
- NYC Council Know Your Rights Resources in Spanish, Bangla, Creole, Chinese
- Hand in Hand: How Employers Can Support Immigrant Domestic Workers
- If you witness an ICE detention, arrest, or ticketing, please contact the Immigrant Defense Project’s Immigration Helpline at (212) 725-6422 for assistance.
- Refer to resources from Desis Rising Up and Moving for guidance on how to report ICE activity.
- For the latest Immigration Updates, visit CUNY Citizenship Now!’s Immigration Updates and Resources Page.
- The Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC) Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. You can find a printable version of the red cards here for yourself or others.
- Review Make the Road’s Deportation Defense Manual to better understand how to protect yourself and your community.
- Legal Guidance from New York Lawyers for Public Interest on ICE Enforcement
Volunteer Opportunities
- Volunteer with the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)
- Asylum Support Clinic: Established in 2022 by a group of experienced pro bono attorneys and volunteers, the Asylum Support Clinic is a volunteer-driven, pro se free legal clinic for asylum seekers in NYC. ASC assists asylum seekers who lack legal representation to file their asylum applications in a way that reduces the challenge and trauma of the process, while also giving them the best chance at prevailing in immigration court. ASC provides critical support for immigrants who have left behind their families, jobs, and homes in search of a safe haven from violence and persecution.
- Make the Road New York: Community members volunteer daily to support our organizing, education, health and legal services programs as well as our admin and operations teams. Some volunteers make phone calls or help to prepare a meal, others support adult literacy students to develop English skills or pass their citizenship exams, and others still provide key support with administrative work, outreach, community education or civic engagement activities.
Health
Informational Resources
- BKForge (Brooklyn for Reproductive and Gender Equity) is a member-led grassroots organization committed to advancing reproductive health and gender equity through advocacy, action, and collaboration, grounded in racial, environmental, and economic justice.
- Subscribe to their Weekly BKForge Digest.
- NYS Attorney General
- Abortion Hotline: New York Attorney General Letitia James has teamed with 24 law firms and eight nonprofits nationwide to provide New York residents and visitors with free (pro-bono) legal information and resources about accessing abortion. The task force operates a free hotline, 212-899-5567, that provides legal information and referrals to:
- New Yorkers seeking an abortion
- patients wanting to travel to New York for an abortion
- people and organizations providing material support to patients
- New York health care providers
- Health care information for transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and intersex New Yorkers
- LGBTQIA+ rights
- Abortion Hotline: New York Attorney General Letitia James has teamed with 24 law firms and eight nonprofits nationwide to provide New York residents and visitors with free (pro-bono) legal information and resources about accessing abortion. The task force operates a free hotline, 212-899-5567, that provides legal information and referrals to:
- The Brigid Alliance: Supports for individuals who are seeking an abortion and are currently 15 weeks pregnant or more.
- Right to Be: Free Bystander Trainings
Volunteer Opportunities
- Take Action with BKForge
- Planned Parenthood of Greater New York
- Abortion Access Front
Education
Informational Resources
- Advocates for Children Education Helpline: (866) 427-6033, Open Monday to Thursday 10 am to 4 pm.
- Alliance for Quality Education
- Advocacy Toolkit for lobbying visits, press conferences, town halls, and phone banking.
