Chicago Immigration Defense Resources and Training Guide
[Haga clic aquí para la versión en español]
Table of Contents
- Know Your Rights Materials – For Students and Protestors*
- KYR for Vulnerable Groups
- Family Preparedness*
- Schools, Health Facilities, and Other Formerly Protected Locations
- Worker’s Rights*
- Know Your Rights Trainings
- Local Resources for Immigrants
- Citizenship Classes
Do you have a Resource or Training that should be listed? Submit here.
Don’t know where to look for trusted updates on immigration law and policy?
Sign up for email updates through the following organizations or follow them on social media:
National Immigrant Justice Center Newsletter (national and Chicago updates, especially DACA)
ICIRR Newsletter (Illinois and Chicago updates)
To find legal help from a trusted immigration practitioner before traveling, see Immigration Advocates Network Directory (for low-cost or free help) or https://ailalawyer.com (for private attorneys). | |||||||||||||||
Know Your Rights Materials – ICE Encounters & Raids* If you think you are witnessing ICE activity in Illinois or your family member has been detained, call the 24-hour ICIRR Family Support Hotline at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) for help. | |||
Resource Type | Description | Language(s) Available | Where to locate resources |
What to do if your loved one is detained by ICE | Information regarding how to locate your loved one, verify when they have court, etc. You can search for an individual using the “A” number of the individual or search by entering the full name, date of birth, and country of birth at https://locator.ice.gov or contact the ICE-ERO local office. The Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance (MIDA) seeks to provide high-quality immigration legal services for free to detained immigrants. See Frequently Asked Questions flyer for more information. The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund (“MIBF”) posts bonds for residents of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Kentucky (or individuals who intend to live in one of these states upon release) regardless of where they are detained. MIBF also posts bonds for people detained by ICE in facilities in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Kentucky regardless of their residency. | Several languages English & Spanish | If Your Loved One is Detained - Frequently Asked Questions |
Know Your Rights with ICE – Raids at Home and On the Street | Explains who is at risk of an ICE arrest and your rights when interacting with ICE officers. 2-page flyers on what to do if ICE comes to your home or stops you on the street | Available in 16 languages, including English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Korean, Tagalog, and more | Know Your Rights with ICE - Immigrant Defense Project English flyer: ICE HOME ARRESTS English flyer – FAQ on at-risk groups IMMIGRATION ARRESTS & RAIDS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS Spanish flyer: Spanish flyer – FAQ on at-risk groups ARRESTOS Y REDADAS DE INMIGRACION LO QUE NECESITAS SABER PARA PROTEGER TUS DERECHOS Flyers in Arabic, Polish, Chinese, Urdu, Hindi, and more |
Know Your Rights with ICE – in your car | Set of flyers and infographics about your rights if you are a driver or passenger in a car that is stopped by ICE. | English, Spanish, Haitian Creole | Know Your Rights with ICE - Immigrant Defense Project |
Know Your Rights with ICE – when ICE lies to you | Flyer on common lies told by ICE, e.g. ICE pretending to be police | English, Spanish | Know Your Rights with ICE - Immigrant Defense Project |
What To Do If Immigration Agents Are at Your Door | Printable, 1-page document to fold & create portable booklet regarding what to do if stopped by any law enforcement Also includes an explanation video in English and samples of what warrants and orders from judges vs. ICE agents look like. | English, Spanish | What to do if Immigration Agents (ICE) are at your door | ACLU of Oregon |
Know Your Rights Flyers | These flyers explain general know your rights information in a flyer format which can be printed or shared online to spread awareness. | English, Spanish | City of Chicago Know Your Rights Flyer Illinois Coalition For Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) - Know Your Rights When interacting with ICE |
Know Your Rights Materials – On Trump’s Immigrant Registry* | |||
Resource Type | Description | Language(s) Available | Where to locate resources |
Know Your Rights regarding the Immigrant Registration Requirement | Resource providing critical information for community members about the newly announced registration process for some undocumented immigrants, including potential risks such as detention, deportation, and legal consequences. *The registration process is now in effect as of April 11, 2025; however, there is a lawsuit still pending trying to end this policy. It is essential that you speak with an attorney or accredited representative before filling out this form. Signing up to register could be very dangerous for undocumented immigrants. It could lead to detention, deportation, and possibly criminal prosecution. | English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese – Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Haitian Creole, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese English Several languages Several languages | Know Your Rights regarding Trump's Immigrant Registry Breakdown from NILC on what the lawsuit is about To find free or low-cost attorneys and representatives
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Know Your Rights Materials – For Students and Protestors* | |||
Resource Type | Description | Language(s) Available | Where to locate resources |
Legal help for students who had their visas revoked | List of trusted immigration attorneys available to help students located in Chicago Contact for Student Activist: you can contact a coalition of organizations that work to represent people in retaliation Contact to contribute case information to a non-profit organization that is dedicated to advocacy and policy reform (not for legal representation) | English English English | For student activists (esp. pro-Palestine and/or Muslim): coordg-attys-non-c-activist-def@muslimadvocates.org *The American Immigration Lawyers Association is looking for cases to highlight for possible legal defense. See information here |
Know Your Rights for Immigrant Students, Student-Visa Holders, Protestors, and their supporters | Multiple guides, webinar recordings and helpful answers related to issues faced by immigrant students, student-visa holders, and protestors or activists | English | Webinar and resource guide on supporting noncitizen students Guide for immigrant students and student-visa holders FAQ on Executive Order on student participation on campus protests KYR on rights of students (re: free speech, protestors, religious freedom, doxxing, data safety) |
Know Your Rights Materials – Vulnerable Groups* | |||
Resource Type | Description | Language(s) Available | Where to locate resources |
Know Your Rights for Survivors of Domestic Violence Survivors | Resource List for domestic violence and sexual violence survivors. | English, Spanish, Tagalog, and several languages | KYR Resource List for Domestic Violence Victims For Illinois residents: call or text 877-863-6338 |
Know Your Rights for Disabled Immigrants/ Immigrants with Disabilities | Information regarding how to locate your loved one, verify when they have court, etc. You can search for an individual using the “A” number of the individual or search by entering the full name, date of birth, and country of birth at https://locator.ice.gov or contact the ICE-ERO local office. | Several languages | KYR Cards for Disabled Immigrants in English |
Know Your Rights for LGBTQ+ Immigrants | Several resources regarding immigrant rights and civil rights as applicable to LGBTQ+, transgender, nonbinary, and intersex communities. | English, Spanish | |
Know Your Rights Materials – Family Preparedness* | ||||
Resource Type | Population | Description | Language(s) Available | Where to locate |
Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan | All community members | This Resource Toolkit goes into detail about guidance on family preparedness planning, regardless of immigration status, such different childcare options available in case of an absent parent, etc. It gives additional advice to undocumented and/or mixed status families. | English, Spanish | Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC |
Guardianship Considerations for Immigrants | All community members with minor children or other dependents | 2-page FAQ document regarding guardianship considerations for mixed status families in Illinois or Indiana | English, Spanish | Illinois (English only): IMMIGRATION – FAQS
Indiana (English and Spanish): Indiana Guardianships and |
Know Your Rights Materials - Schools, Health Facilities, and Other Formerly Protected Locations* | ||||
Tipo de recurso | Población | Descripción | Idioma(s) disponible(s) | Dónde ubicar los recursos |
General - protecting people in formerly protected locations | All community members | information regarding the new policy and how staff at formerly protected locations can protects the rights of immigrants if ICE official were to appear | English | |
Resources for Schools | Teachers and all staff in schools Students, parents, and guardians | Guide with resources and information regarding how to create a sanctuary schools and how to respond if ICE comes to your school KYR resource for students, parents, and guardians | English | Resource Kit on Creating Sanctuary Schools - Chicago Teachers Union |
Resources for Medical Providers | Medical providers and staff | Guide regarding how providers can protect patients and staff | English | https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NILC_ACLU_HealthcareProvidersGuide.pdf |
Resources for Clergy and Staff at Places of Worship | Those who work in or visit places of worship | Legal and spiritual resource page focused on supporting migrants Detailed webinar including overview of immigration law; ICE enforcement in places of worship; penalties and legal risks; what to do & how to help | English | Resource page from Episcopal Church Overview of Immigration Law and KYR info specific to clergy Webinar Slides - Walking with Migrants in 2025 |
Know Your Rights Materials – Worker’s Rights* | ||||
Resource Type | Population | Description | Language(s) Available | Where to locate |
What to do if ICE comes to your workplace | Employers | 8-page infographic including what to do in the event of an ICE raid or I-9 workplace audit; what employers should know when ICE arrives; and how to protect workers. | English | WHAT TO DO IF IMMIGRATION COMES TO YOUR WORKPLACE |
DACA and Your Workplace Rights | DACA recipients | FAQ provides background on your workplace rights as a worker with DACA | English, Spanish | FAQ: DACA and Your Workplace Rights - NILC |
Immigrant Worker Toolkit | Immigrant Workers & All Employers | This document from ARISE Chicago includes tools and information regarding your rights as an immigrant worker and things to be aware of when it comes to possible ICE raids at the workplace. It also includes resources for employers and how employers can support and protect workers. | English, Spanish | English - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS AN IMMIGRANT WORKER |
Unite Here - Immigrant Workers Support | Unite Here Members | “As the union of hospitality workers, immigrants are the backbone of our membership.” Unite Here lists resources on know your rights, citizenship, DACA, TPS, and workplace protections here. | English, Spanish | Unite Here Immigration Resources
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*This information is not intended to be legal advice. To find legal help from a trusted immigration practitioner, see www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory (for low-cost or free help) or https://ailalawyer.com (for private attorneys)
Know Your Rights Trainings | ||||||
Event Title | Date & Time | Location | Hosting Organization | Details | How to Register | Flyer Links |
Upcoming Know Your Rights Trainings Across Chicago | Varies | Online via Zoom | The Mayor's Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights | The Mayor's Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights is updating a list of “Know Your Rights” Events across the city. Scroll down and click the link under “Know Your Rights Events” to find an updated list. | The Mayor's Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights | |
Palenque LSNA Virtual Know Your Rights VIRTUAL Training Request | —-- | Online (Zoom) | Palenque LSNA | • Receive a Know Your Rights VIRTUAL training • Learn how to protect yourself, your family, your home and workplace • Be a part of the rapid response team • Become a Volunteer bit.ly/PLSNAVolunteer | ||
Resource Title | Hosting Organization | Details | How to Access |
Free or low-cost Immigration Legal consultations and case assistance | National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) | Legal help for: Eligible youth seeking to apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and employment authorization; immigrants applying for permanent residence through a family-based application; permanent residents applying for citizenship; immigrants applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS); immigrants detained by Immigration and Custom; and asylum seekers, including LGBTQ individuals seeking safety from persecution. | Browse NIJC legal services programs here for more information on how to schedule an appointment based on your needs, or call the main line at 312-660-1370 |
Deportation support hotline | Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD) | “If you've witnessed an immigration raid or know someone who has been detained by ICE, you may contact OCAD for support.” | “You can call the support hotline at 855 435 7693, or leave information online here to request a call back. |
Free or low-cost Immigration Legal consultations and case assistance Social and Community Services for Immigrants | Palenque LSNA | Services include after school programming, parent engagement training, youth leadership programs, housing, and immigration legal services. | To volunteer or get connected to their Rapid Response efforts, visit: |
Detained Immigration Court Representation | Cook County Public Defender’s Office 69 W. Washington, 16th Floor Chicago, IL 60602 ** ONLY Wednesday between 9am and 11am ** | Are you detained by ICE or seeking assistance for a loved one detained by ICE? The Immigration Division of the Cook County Public| Defender's Office represents noncitizens in ICE custody who: 1. have cases before the Chicago Immigration Court and 2. have ties to Cook County, Illinois. | To seek our services, email us or call us on Wednesdays between 9am and 11am: 312-603-0636 pdimmigrationunit@cookcountyil.gov (Detained individuals can call collect or via the ICE pro bono platform and code #1050) |
Informational sessions | Onward House 5413 West Diversey Avenue / Chicago, IL 60639 | Onward House hosts informational workshops to offer information related to immigration. | To register for our Adult Education classes, or for more information on other services for adults, please contact us at 773-622-3215, or fill out the form here. |
Supporting Immigrant Students in the Classroom | Illinois Resource Center | Bank of resources for supporting and advocating for immigrant students | |
CityKey ID | City of Chicago | CityKey is a free 4-in-1 municipal ID for all Chicagoans, regardless of age, gender, immigration status or housing status. With a CityKey ID, Chicagoans can unlock access to all our city has to offer. It serves as an official form of ID, library card, Ventra card and Chicago Rx prescription drug discount card. | You can now apply for a Chicago CityKey online by visiting www.getcitykey.com. Make sure you have the following documents ready to upload when you apply: • Proof of Identity documents • Proof of Residency documents • Photo, must be a color and current photo |
Asylum Seeker Guide | The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) | Tips on how to apply for asylum and important information for asylum seekers | |
List of organizations in Chicagoland/Illinois providing free or low cost assistance with filing your naturalization application to become a U.S. citizen. | ICIRR New Americans Initiative | Services available in multiple languages | |