Community and Legal Resources
Purpose of this Guide
When President Trump was elected as the 45th President of the United States, he instituted immediate immigration executive actions that led to fear, anxiety and confusion across the country and for the DSST community. As a first step to support DSST students, families and staff members who were impacted and hurt by these actions, this guide was initially compiled by DSST Public Schools in 2016 and has continued to be updated.
The purpose of this guide is to help direct our DSST community and others to trusted information, updates, resources, legal aid and services. AS A REMINDER, THIS GUIDE IS NOT MEANT TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR COUNSEL, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER ON ANY LEGAL ISSUES YOU MAY BE EXPERIENCING.
It’s important to remember to always make sure that the sources you are using for updates and news are trusted and reliable sources, and protect yourself from fraud or phishing attempts.
If you have questions about this guide, or would like to add resources to it, please contact our Senior Manager of Advocacy, Aisury Vasquez (aisury.vasquez@scienceandtech.org).
When sharing links or resources, it's important to note that they may be outdated, and we cannot guarantee their accuracy or reliability. Always verify information from multiple trusted sources before relying on it.
Table of Contents
Family Preparedness Plans / Family Emergency Plans 7
DACA and Undocumented Youth Resources 9
Other Sources for Legal Help / Lawyers 16
General Resources
General Resources | Information Source | ||
FAQ on Immigration Enforcement Executive Actions | Immigrant Justice Network | ||
Community Alert On January 27 Executive Order Regarding Refugees & Country Ban | National Immigrant Justice Center | ||
Safe and Welcoming School District Page Feb. 6th Updated FAQ (also available in Spanish) Denver Public Schools FAQ’s on Immigration in English / Spanish / Arabic / Vietnamese | Denver Public Schools | ||
Immigrant Legal Resource Center | |||
FAQ: What all immigrants should know in 2017 Resources 101: Important Info. for Immigrants and Allies
| Informed Immigrant | ||
Resources and Information Immigration After the Election | Center for Immigrant Rights Clinic at Penn State Law | ||
Lambda Legal | |||
Updated Fact Sheet: Revised Executive Order Restricting Muslim Entry into the US Community Guidance: Restrictions on Muslim Entry to the U.S. | Muslim Advocates | ||
Advocating for Refugee Women and Children | Women’s Refugee Commission | ||
International Refugee Assistance Project | Urban Justice Center | ||
Council on Islamic American Relations (CAIR) | |||
Mexican-American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF) | |||
The Meyer Law Office | |||
African Community Center Services | African Community Center | ||
Immigrant Defense Project | |||
Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network | |||
Denver Public Library | |||
National Immigrant Justice Center | |||
Administrative Relief Resource Center | |||
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) | |||
The Young Center | |||
Anti-Defamation League | |||
https://careonlocation.com/student-family-health/ | Care on Location Private & Affordable Minor Medical and Urgent Care Video Visits for Students and Families. |
Know Your Rights:
Organization | Information Source |
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) | Know Your Rights as an Immigrant (English) Know Your Rights as an Immigrant (Spanish) Do’s and Don’ts for Bystander Intervention |
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) | Know Your Rights Resource Center ICE agents need a warrant signed by a judge to enter premises (see sample warrant signed by a judge here). A warrant issued by DHS or ICE is NOT enough (see sample ICE warrant here). |
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights | Know Your Rights Powerpoint Presentation |
Council on American-Islamic Relations |
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Lambda Legal | Know Your Rights for Transgender Individuals |
Immigrant Legal Resource Center | Know Your Rights and What Immigrant Families Should Do Now Special Considerations for LGBTQ Immigrants |
National Immigrant Justice Center | ICE Raids: How to Protect Your Family |
Center for Immigrant Rights Clinic at Penn State Law | For the Community: Learn and Know Your Rights |
Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) | |
National Immigration Law Center | |
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition | |
Joseph Law Firm | |
Immi |
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iAmerica |
Family Preparedness Plans / Family Emergency Plans
Organization | Information Source |
Immigrant Legal Resource Center | Family Preparedness Plan (English) Family Preparedness Plan (Spanish) |
Joseph Law Firm | The Other Discussion About Immigration (English) The Other Discussion About Immigration (Spanish) |
The Meyer Law Office | Family action plan in case you are detained (English and Spanish) |
Sample General Power of Attorney Financial Form | |
Women’s Refugee Commission | Detained or Deported: What About My Children? Parental Rights Toolkit Make A Plan: Migrant Parents’ Guide to Preventing Family Separation |
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights | |
Immigrant Defense Project | |
National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild | |
The San Francisco Immigrant Legal & Education Network |
DACA and Undocumented Youth Resources:
Organization | Resource |
Information on DACA court order, NY Times | https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/us/trump-daca-improper.html?_r=0 |
Information on DACA court order, Washington Post | |
Immigrant Youth | Here to Stay Resources - Mental Health Toolkit, Educator Toolkit, Frequently Asked Questions, and others |
Dept. of Homeland Security | DHS Actions on DACA - should remain updated with official actions from the Trump Administration |
Meyer Law Office | |
Immigrant Legal Resource Center | |
Immigration Advocates | National Immigration Legal Services Directory -search tool that provides low-cost or free immigration legal services |
My Undocumented Life | -up-to-date news and information, scholarships, FAQs, education resources |
Educators for Fair Consideration | http://www.e4fc.org/immigrantsrising.html -resources on working for yourself, tax documents, business structures, immigration remedies through entrepreneurship, business plans |
Immigrant Legal Resource Center | DACA Status as of March 1, 2017 |
DSST Public Schools | Information for DREAMers and their Families Supporting DSST’s Immigrant Families and DACA Students and Staff |
National Immigration Law Center | |
Educators for Fair Consideration | How to Support College-Bound Undocumented Students: Advice for Parents / Consejos Para los Padres |
College in Colorado | |
Colorado ASSET | Colorado in-state college tuition for undocumented students |
The Atlantic | What Immigration Raids Mean for Students |
United We Dream | Practical Steps to Take if DACA is repealed |
Colorado State University | I’m undocumented and live in Colorado. Can I apply to CSU? The CSU Office of Admissions Supports Its International Students |
University of Colorado Boulder | New form for DACA students to use instead of FAFSA: Form in English / Form in Spanish Students Eligible under Colorado ASSET Bill and/or DACA Webpage |
Educators for Fair Consideration | Empowering undocumented young people to achieve educational and career goals |
Colorado Department of Education | Resource Guide: Supporting Undocumented Youth |
Hotlines:
Organization | Number |
iAmerica | General Administrative Relief Info: 844-411-4263 |
United We Dream | Report ICE in your community: 1-844-363-1423 Receive text alerts and updates:Text “HereToStay” to 877877 |
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition CALL THIS NUMBER FIRST! | Seek help or report an incident: 844-864-8341 |
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights | Family Support Hotline in English, Spanish, Korean and Polish: 1-855-435-7693 |
Local Legal Support:
Local community organizations offering connections to legal information / legal advice (targeted to particular sub-groups). Many of these organizations are NOT providers of formal legal advice. You may want to start with these local organizations if you are a part of their target audience; they will refer you to lawyers for specific situational questions.
Organization | Target Audience? | Type of Support / Cost for inquiry / Notes | What you can reach out to them for? | Contact Information |
Mi Casa | Anyone seeking pro bono legal information regardless of immigration status should go to Legal Night. | Legal Night is every third Tuesday of the month 5:30 - 7:30 (info here) 2 hour time speak to volunteer lawyers; Spanish Translators available Partners with CO Lawyer Committee | Find out more information about Legal Nights and other know-your-rights information / resources. Mi Casa is a community resource center that also offers GED courses and career training connections. | (303) 573-1302 |
Centro San Juan Diego | Anyone seeking pro bono legal information regardless of immigration status should go to Legal Night. | Every first Wednesday of the month. 5:30pm - 7:00pm Spanish Interpretation Available | Find out more information about Legal Nights. El Centro de Juan Diego also offers clinics on immigration, employment, credit, housing, and family law. | 2830 Lawrence Street Denver, CO 80205 (303) 295-9470 |
Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) | Anyone seeking information about immigrant rights / DACA. Legal Support for: - Detained Adults - Children who are in immigration proceedings (whether or not they’ve been victims of crime) - Victim of violent crime / robbery / sexual assault who are eligible for U Visas for protection in aid of supporting crime investigation | Does community outreach / information sessions Legal advice offered to specific populations. Don’t do general family immigration work. If there aren’t children / crime victim involved. | Areas of legal assistance: Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions Types of legal assistance: Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals | Intake Hotline: 303-866-9308 Location: 3489 W. 72nd Ave, Suite 211, Westminster, CO 80030 Contact: (303) 433-2812, http://www.rmian.org |
City of Littleton Immigrant Resources Center | Initial consult available all cases and is able to other attorneys or organizations as needed. ($40/consult) Primarily support citizenship applications ($50 - $100). | Call to set up appointment BiA accredited to provide immigration legal support - offers ESL / citizenship lessons | Areas of legal assistance: Naturalization/Citizenship Types of legal assistance: Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS | Location: 6014 S. Datura St, Littleton, CO 80120 (in Bermis Public Library) Contact: (303) 795-3968, http://www.littletonimmigrants.org , pmcshiras@littletongov.org |
Colorado Legal Services (Denver Office) - Migrant Farm Worker Division | For individuals who was / is a migrant farm worker and has questions on immigration status Does not offer support on family cases or DACA | Free legal representation for a variety of reasons Questions on status as a farm worker; labor issues, i.e. labor trafficking; T- visas | Areas of legal assistance: Employment authorization, Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, T visas, U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions Types of legal assistance: Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS | Location: 1905 Sherman St., Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203 Contact: (303) 866-9366 |
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains - Immigration Legal Services (Denver Office) | Refugees / Asylees / Cuban Parolees Typically have some legal status | - Hosts Legal Nights - Helps to manage Refugee resettlement programs - Offer many services with refugees (apply for greencard / workers’ permit / bring family to US / travel / citizenship) | Areas of legal assistance: Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship Types of legal assistance: Filings with USCIS | Location: 1600 Downing St, Suite 600, Denver, CO 80218 Contact: (303) 980-5400, http://www.lfsrm.org , info@lfsrm.org |
Catholic Charities of Denver - Immigration Services (Denver Office) | Not best for undocumented | - Go in person - no questions are answered via phone - 9AM OR 1PM on Tuesday or Thursday - Consultation $35 in Cash - Do not bring children | Areas of legal assistance: Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Habeas Corpus, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions Types of legal assistance: Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals | Location: 4045 Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211 Contact: (303) 742-4971 |
Other Sources for Legal Help / Lawyers
Organization | Information Source |
Colorado Non-Profits: Free or Low Cost Legal Immigration Services | Colorado Non-Profits: Free or Low Cost Legal Immigration Services |
American Immigration Lawyers Association | |
Colorado Legal Services | |
Immigration Advocates Network | |
Journey’s End Refugee Services | |
Immi | |
Educators for Fair Consideration | Dreamer Intake Service |
Local Resident Services
Organization | Resource |
Servicios de la Raza | Mission: Servicios de La Raza’s mission is to provide and advocate for culturally responsive, essential human services and opportunities. |
Mi Casa Resource Center | Mission: Mi Casa is among Colorado’s oldest and largest Latino-serving nonprofit organizations. Since 1976, Mi Casa has been dedicated to advancing the economic success of Latino and working families in the Denver Metro area. |
Aurora Strong Resilience Center | Mission: The mission of the Aurora Strong Resilience Center is to foster resilience–or the ability to adapt in healthy ways to change, challenge and stress–through the provision of education, wellness & therapeutic services and opportunities for connection. |
Asian Pacific Development Center | Mission: Asian Pacific Development Center of Colorado (APDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting the Asian American Pacific Islander community. For 35 years we have been committed to providing culturally appropriate behavioral health, primary medical care, and related services through an integrated system of care. |
Denver Center: Denver, CO 80231 Main: 303.597.5000 Emergencies: 720.248.4716 Boulder Center: Boulder, CO 80303 Main: 303.415.1025 | Mission: Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live independently at home, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other people with barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis. |
Project Worthmore 720-460-1393 Dental Clinic: 720-460-0995 | Mission: We are working to restore worth to our refugee neighbors through the heart of our community. Every family we serve has a unique story, a steadfast courage, and a resilience to survive and rebuild their lives here in Colorado. |
Mental Health Supports
Resources for adult self-care, for parents and others supporting children and youth, and for youth seeking help.
Organization | Information Source |
Colorado Crisis and Support Line | 1-844-493-TALK (8255) (has mental health professionals available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) |
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Colorado (NAMI Colorado) | Local NAMI Resources - Find Your Local NAMI NAMI Colorado Help Line: 303-321-3104 Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-8255 |
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago | Post-Election Health Support for Youth |
The Atlantic | |
The Mighty | Tips for Managing Anxiety When the World Feels Like a Mess |
American Psychological Association | How to talk to children about difficult news |
Child Mind Institute | What to do if you’re worried about suicide: A parent's guide to helping a child in distress |
Mayor’s Youth Commission, City and County of Denver, Office of Children’s Affairs | Mental Health Resources for Youth |
Human Rights Campaign | After election, LGBTQ youth are panicked: Here’s what we can do to help them |
Family Acceptance Project | Health and mental health supports for LGBTQ youth and children |
The Trevor Project (Support for LGBTQ Youth) | Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 (available 24/7) Chat online (available 7 days a week between 1:00pm - 7:00pm MST) Trevor Space: An online community for LGBTQ youth Trevor Support Resource Center |
National Suicide Prevention Hotline | 1-800-273-8255 (English) 1-888-628-9454 (Español) |
National Institute of Mental Health |
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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention | American Foundation for Suicide Prevention |
Crisis Text Line (Support for Youth) | Text “Home” to 741741 |
To Write Love on Her Arms | |
Echo Through the Fog Blog | How to call your reps when you have social anxiety |
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | When to seek help for your child |
American Academy of Pediatrics | Talking to children about the election |
Parents | 7 Tips for Talking About the Outcome of the Election with Kids |
Today | Experts weigh in: How to talk to your kids about the election results |
The Washington Post | How to explain the election, Trump and your fears without panicking the kids |
CNN | How do you talk to your kids about the election? |
The Huffington Post | How to talk to children about the election Talking to your kids about the election |
The New York Times | Breathe. Exhale. Repeat: The Benefits of Controlled Breathing Parents Navigate Tears and Cheers as Kids React to Election |
Advocacy and Organizing
Get involved and take action by joining efforts led by local organizations.
- Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition: (303) 922-3344
- Together Colorado: (303) 399-2425
- Padres & Jovenes Unidos: (303) 458-6545
- Colorado People’s Alliance: (303) 893-3500
- African Community Center: Advocacy Group Sign-Up / (303) 399-4500
- Colorado Welcomes Refugees
- American Friends Service Committee (AFSC): (303) 623-3464
- Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition: (303) 623-3464
- Stand for Children: Defend DACA
- Casa de Paz: (720) 500-2272
- Refugee Council USA