Immigration & Deportation

Expedited removal is a way for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove (deport) people from the U.S. quickly and without giving them an opportunity to appear before an immigration judge.

“Public Charge” is a legal term used in immigration law. It is part of a screening process used by U.S. immigration officials primarily when someone is applying for lawful permanent residence (LPR/“green card” status). If someone is considered a public charge, then they won’t be able to get a green card, unless they are able to post a public charge bond.

If you need the protection of a juvenile court because you have been abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent, you may be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). If this classification is granted, you may qualify for lawful permanent residency.  A recent ruling expands eligibility for those 18 years and older who may have been denied in the past.

There is a lot of information about what kind of health insurance (sometimes called “health coverage,” or “coverage”) you might be eligible for depending on your immigration status. This pamphlet is intended to provide basic information to you so that you can make an informed decision about your health coverage. Because this can be complicated, if you have questions or concerns you can contact The Legal Aid Society, another legal services organization, or a trained assistor to learn about your coverage options. Do not assume that just because you are not a citizen or a green card holder (lawful permanent resident) that you are not eligible for health coverage.

In New York, regardless of your immigration status and your ability to pay, you are entitled to hospital treatment in the case of a medical emergency. There are also many ways to access affordable health care in New York City.

Intimate partner and domestic violence can make a frightening immigration situation more perilous. There are some steps you can take to get yourself and your family out of these situations and into a safe space.

If you or a family member have a current case in immigration court, learn what to do if they are detained or not detained.

While we hope you’ll never have to use the plan, it’s wise to create an emergency plan with your loved ones in the case of detainment or deportation. Here’s what your plan should include.

On April 22, 2020, President Trump issued a Proclamation suspending the entry into the U.S. of certain people seeking to become lawful permanent residents (LPRs, meaning green card holders). The Proclamation is effective as of 11:59pm on April 23, 2020, and is set to expire 60 days later, though it might be extended.

The Proclamation applies to people seeking LPR status:

• who are outside the U.S. on its effective date;
• who do not have an immigrant visa (meaning a visa for LPR status) that is valid on the effective date of the Proclamation; and
• who do not have an official travel document other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document).

Read our full COVID-19 Travel Ban FAQ.

Our COVID-19 Travel Ban FAQ is also available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Korean, Nepali,  Punjabi, Russian, Spanish and Urdu.

Encountering the police or ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) as an undocumented immigrant can be a frightening experience. You can take some steps to prepare yourself for potential encounters to protect the safety of yourself and your loved ones.

With the dramatic rise in aggressive immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump Administration, there is understandable concern among advocates about how to assist potentially removable non-citizens without running afoul of the federal harboring law, Immigration and Nationality Act §274(a).  Although the law is broadly written, there are nonetheless actions that advocates can lawfully take to assist these vulnerable and frightened members of our community.