Immigration & Human Rights

Information on this page has been provided by Alderman Vasquez’s Office of the 40th Ward. We appreciate their collaboration and approval to link to their shared resources on our website. Ald. Vasquez is the Chairperson of the City of Chicago Committee for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (CIRR).

The 40th Ward’s Office provides a full list of Immigrant and Refugee Resources here.

Immigration & Human Rights

Know Your Rights

Everyone in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, has rights under the U.S. Constitution. If you encounter an immigration or law enforcement officer, you have to the right to:

  1. Remain silent and not answer questions;

  2. Contact an attorney immediately, if you are detained*;

  3. Refuse to sign anything without advice from an attorney.

* You can find a for-cost, licensed immigration attorney through American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Encounters with police officers or immigration agents

If you encounter an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Officer, keep in mind the following guidance from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office:

  • If ICE stops you on the street, you are NOT required to answer questions. You have the right to remain silent.

  • If you are detained, you have the right to request an attorney and do not have to sign anything or answer questions without consulting an attorney.

  • ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge. ICE can enter and search public areas of your workplace without a warrant, but to enter a private area of your workplace, they must have a warrant signed by a judge or permission from your employer. Being in a public area does NOT give ICE authority to stop, question, or arrest just anyone.

  • Do not possess and/or carry false or fraudulent documents, and never provide false or fraudulent documents to a police officer or immigration agent.

  • Carry valid identification at all times (as well as all valid immigration papers and work permits if you have them), and memorize your A number.

If you have an encounter with police officers or immigration agents, write down as much information about the encounter as possible in case you choose to file a complaint. If you have an incident with ICE, you can report it to Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD) by calling 1-855-435-7693 or by visiting the OCAD website.

Know Your Rights resources

Know Your Rights workshops

The Committee for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (CIRR) hosts regular Know Your Rights workshops around the City. In partnership with the UIC Law, Public Defender’s Office, Indo American Center, and other community organizations, these workshops inform immigrants about their basic civil rights and provide information about the U.S. immigration system, asylum eligibility and other immigration relief, and U.S. criminal law. Some of those sessions have included:

  • Labor Rights: information on workers rights for newly arrived migrant workers, including what to do if you experience discrimination or unjust treatment in the workplace and how to identify wage theft and recover your pay. 

  • Immigration Overview: an overview of eligibility for Asylum, TPS, and Employment Authorization Documents, as well information on how to change your address with the immigration court or the location of your court.

  • Criminal and Immigration Law: an overview of Illinois criminal law from the Public Defender’s Office, including what happens when someone is arrested, and how criminal arrests affect your ability to remain in the U.S. and obtain lawful immigration status.

  • Cultural Competencies for New Immigrants: education and training for new arrivals on cultural competencies and acculturation to develop an awareness of their cultural beliefs and values and how they differ from other cultures, including the one in which they’ve chosen to reside.

Immigration Services & Legal Support

The U.S. immigration system involves various agencies, and depending on circumstances, individuals may interact with one or many of them. The immigration process can be lengthy, there are often delays due to various factors, including backlogs and COVID-19.

Below, you can find information and resources to help navigate the immigration process.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

USCIS is a government agency that oversees lawful immigration across the United States. The main federal agencies that process immigration applications in the U.S that reviews and decides most of the immigration applications related to family petitions, work authorizations, Temporary Protected Status, Citizenship, and more. 

Immigration status, processing times, case inquiry

Visit the USCIS website for the following services: 

In-person service and USCIS.gov field offices

For in-person service, use the USCIS Field Office Locator, or visit the Chicago USCIS Office at 101 W Congress Blvd, Chicago, Il 60605. You can also call the USCIS hot-line 24 hours a day by dialing 800-375-5283.

Legal immigration support

Only licensed lawyers and Department of Justice (DOJ) / Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representatives (‘accredited reps’) working for DOJ recognized non-profits are allowed to practice immigration law. 

If you need to seek legal advice regarding any immigration matter

Call the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) at 1-800-954-0254 for a referral or see the AILA website.

  • Find a free or low-cost attorney or accredited representatives at recognized non-profit organizations through the Administrative Relief Resource Center, or check out the resources below:

    • National Immigrant Justice Center (NJIC) – Chicago residents are eligible for free legal services. Immigrants living in the Chicago, Illinois and Goshen, Indiana, region can obtain low-cost legal consultations and representation. Call 312-660-1370 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am-4:30pm, or email NIJC@immigrantjustice.org 

    • The Resurrection Project offers high-quality immigration legal services aimed at keeping Illinois immigrant families together. Phone: 312-666-3062 Tuesday-Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday, 9am-2pm. 

    • The Greater Chicago Legal Clinic (GCLC) immigration team specializes in family-based immigration assistance, including filing petitions for relatives, adjustments, consular processing, waivers, renewals of permanent resident cards, removal of conditions on marriage-based permanent resident cards, fiancé(e) visas, naturalizations, deportation defense, claims under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and U visas.

If you are an asylum-seeker in need of legal advice

Legal Support for Asylum Seekers: Metropolitan Family Services hosts legal clinics every Tuesday, for asylum seekers at the Illinois Department Human Services building (IDHS) located in downtown Chicago at 401 S Clinton.

Avoid immigration fraud

Avoid immigration fraud by being aware of common fraudulent practices like these:

  • Avoid notarios (The term “notario” is misleading because in many Latin American countries it refers to someone who is an attorney or has legal training. This is not the case in the US).

  • Avoid anyone who ‘guarantees’ that they can get you a specific benefit, like a visa or green card.

  • Avoid any forms that require a fee to download

  • Never sign blank forms.

  • Always request a receipt for any payment made to your attorney or representative.

  • Keep copies of all forms and documents submitted to the government for your own records.

For more information: Common Scams outlined on the USCIS website.

How to report immigration fraud

If you think you may have been a victim of immigration fraud, report it:

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