Know Your Rights Resources
As we head into this next presidential administration, we’re incredibly mindful of how many of our neighbors are concerned about what they might be facing. Trump and his appointees have explicitly threatened that their promised mass deportations will begin in Chicago, sending fear and anger through so many communities. On January 15, 2025, the Chicago City Council upheld the city’s Sanctuary City Ordinance, reinforcing the message that city resources will not be utilized in support of any ICE activities here. Sponsors of the failed ordinance that sought to weaken the law claimed that it would only be used against criminals and, without clarity on what crimes would qualify for deportation, that label could apply to many if not most of the folks we see and regard as our neighbors every day.
In an effort to continue to provide resources to our neighbors, we have created this resource page that we will continuously update as new information becomes available. Each graphic may be clicked on to open up a printable PDF version. If you have more resources you think may be useful, please feel free to email them to us at info@repcassidy.com.
Know Your Rights Information from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
In English
En Español
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), an organization that is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees, has put together a variety of Know Your Rights resources. To find more information about ICIRR, their programs, services, and resources, visit www.icirr.org.
Know Your Rights Cards
ICIRR has also put together Know Your Rights Cards. These come in a variety of languages and can be printed, folded, and carried with you to be handed to an ICE officer in the case of an interaction. We will also have copies of these printed at our office.
What To Do If You Or A Loved One Is Detained
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) has put together a comprehensive list of steps of what to do if you or a loved one has been detained by ICE. This ranges from locating someone in detainment to finding an attorney. Click the above image to go their website and visit this resource.
Guardianship Considerations
Access to Justice has created a frequently asked questions document with things to consider if someone is taken into ICE detainment with guardianship over a child/children at home. Click on the graphic above to access this document.
Immigration Attorney Referral List
ICIRR has created a list of immigration attorneys in the Chicagoland area noting what languages they speak, their specialties, etc. Click on the image above to expand this list.
ICIRR Agency Referral List
Additionally, ICIRR has provided a list of non-profit agencies providing free or low-cost assistance with immigration matters. They are broken down by type of immigration case/application, deportation defense being one of them.
Other Attorney Resources
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National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC): If you are detained, or are calling about someone in detention: Call the NIJC Detention Project at (773) 672-6599 on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Detained immigrants call collect at (312) 583-9721 or use the pro bono platform and NIJC's 3-digit code, 565. immigrantjustice.org/contact-us
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Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance (MIDA): MIDA provides free legal services to eligible immigrants in detention through the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), The Resurrection Project (TRP), The Immigration Project (TIP), and the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender (CCPD). If a MIDA representative is present the day of your first hearing, you might have the opportunity to request a free representative, but MIDA representation is not always available. immigrantjustice.org/midwest-immigrant-defenders-alliance
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Immigration Court’s list of free attorneys and representatives: www.justice.gov/eoir/recognized-organizations-and-accredited-representatives-roster-state-and-city
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Immigrant Advocates directory: www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory
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American Immigration Lawyers Association directory: ailalawyer.com
Other Helpful Resources and Links
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How to Avoid Immigration Fraud (NIJC)
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CPS Guidance and Resources Regarding New Presidential Administration
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Sample administrative and judicial warrants (NIJC), signed and not signed by a judge, (scroll down to middle of the page and click on each picture to zoom in)
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ICIRR Family Support Network Hotline
1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY
(1-855-435-7693)
-Hotline is staffed in English/Spanish/Korean/Polish
-Can connect immigrant community to social services, legal aid, policy updates, financial assistance, and law enforcement
-Is a place to report ICE activity/provides support to locate someone in ICE custody