CITY OF CHICAGO OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT, MIGRANT, AND REFUGEE RIGHTS:

The Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights is dedicated to improving services and engaging Chicago’s diverse immigrant and refugee communities through enhanced collaboration with community organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector. Through the IMRR Office, Mayor Brandon Johnson is committed to working to improve the day-to-day experiences of our city’s 560,000 foreign-born residents while delivering economic, social, and cultural benefits for all Chicagoans. Explore the website to see all the programs and services offered by the Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights.

Their Services Include:

• Citizenship
• DACA
• Legal Protection Fund
• Undocumented Students
• Language Access 
• New Arrivals Mission
• Welcoming City Resources 
• Know Your Rights for businesses and workers

THE RESURRECTION PROJECT:

The Resurrection Project has a dedicated page providing critical, actionable information to help you understand and exercise your constitutional rights, create emergency preparedness plans, and protect yourself and your loved ones with confidence and dignity. From emergency family planning to understanding your legal protections during interactions with immigration authorities, these resources are designed to empower you with clear, practical guidance that transcends fear and uncertainty.

Their Services include:

• Sign up for a virtual training 
• Request a Know Your Rights Training 
• Printable Know Your Rights Toolkit

ILLINOIS COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS:

ICIRR is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.

Their Services Include:

• Know Your Rights toolkit
• Request a Know Your Rights training

IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER:

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.

Their Services Include:

• Downloadable Red Cards

Since August 31, 2022, the State of Texas has bused asylum seekers through private charter buses to Chicago at regular intervals. During the last several months, Texas officials dispatched buses with hundreds of migrants to Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York City. While most asylum seekers are from Venezuela, individuals and families are also from all over the world, including countries from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
 
As a Welcoming City, we have a responsibility to provide access to shelter, food, and medical care to everyone regardless of immigration status. Many of our new arrivals have walked hundreds of miles, navigating great danger through multiple countries, in pursuit of safety and opportunity in the United States.

We are committed to assisting each family and individual, providing human services with respect and dignity.

In June 2023, the Mayor’s Office began hosting weekly briefings for Alders to summarize ongoing advocacy efforts and data tracked. In the interest of transparency, The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights has compiled the information from these briefings to make it accessible to the public and this can be viewed here.

Some of the information you will be able to review on their site includes the number of migrants that are currently in shelters and police stations, location of City shelters and demographic information. This ongoing humanitarian crisis continues to grow and impact our city and communities. We hope this data illustrates the fact that we must work cohesively and in partnership to provide adequate and human housing for all.

If you are looking to help our new neighbors, you can now purchase urgently needed items directly from an Amazon Wish List set up by Instituto del Progreso Latino. You can find the Wish List by visiting InstitutoChicago.org.

You can also drop new items at New Life Centers, 4401 W. Ogden Avenue. Only new items are accepted at this time.

311 CITY SERVICES:

The City’s 311 operators have been given special instruction to help youth and families connect with supportive services throughout the city as a result of the uncertainty related to the election. Chicago residents are encouraged to call 311 for additional information on supportive services offered through the City.

Their services include:

• services related to human rights
• immigration services and health services
• services specifically for families, children and youth; and legal services 

INSTITUTO DEL PROGRESO LATINO:

Instituto is one of the largest processors of citizenship applications in the state of Illinois! Their citizenship programs and services help residents navigate the application process to become U.S. citizens. Their services are open to all community members by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 773-890-0055 at extension 4515 or fill out the intake form, found here.

Their services include: 

• • Naturalization
  • DACA
  • Family-Based Immigrant Petitions
  • Green Card Renewals
  • Asylum
  • Visas for Victims of Crime and Domestic Violence
  • Cannabis Expungement (through New Leaf IL)

NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE iENTER:

The Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) is dedicated to ensuring human rights protections and access to justice for all immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. 

On their site, there is information about who NIJC helps, and the services they provide, along with basic information intended to give immigrants an understanding of their rights under U.S. law during immigration proceedings or if they are arrested and detained by the Department of Homeland Security.

BINATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT:

As a non-profit organization they are working towards supporting the needs of micro-entrepreneurs and provide social, civil, legal, psychological services, mental health and support for migrant communities.

Their Legal and Immigration Center offers legal assistance from lawyers who have extensive experience and at the same time. Due to the  large number of people who are currently requesting asylum or refuge, BIHD is currently on waiting list but any interested parties can call (312) 772-3410 or visit their location at 2751 W 16th St.