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MA Attorney General’s Guidance for Schools

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MA Attorney General’s Guidance for Schools

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FINAL Guidance for K-12 schools on ICE requests for access or information, 1-24-2025

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MA Attorney General’s Guidance for Providers

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MA Attorney General’s Guidance for Providers

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AGO Service Providers Immigration Guidance 02.07.2025

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Legal Directory - Immigration Advocates Network

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Welcome to the National Immigration Legal Services Directory. Use the options below to search for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory. If you have questions, please see our list of frequently asked questions or email us at directory@immigrationadvocates.org.

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Do you need immigration advice from a lawyer? The Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement offers free one-time immigration consultations on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 12 - 3 p.m.

Update: Because of COVID-19, consultations are by telephone until further notice. Due to high demand, you must schedule an appointment beforehand.

To schedule an appointment with a volunteer lawyer, call 617-635-2980 or email immigrantadvancement@boston.gov. Interpretation and disability accommodations are available.

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Do you need immigration advice from a lawyer? The Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement offers free one-time immigration consultations on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 12 - 3 p.m. Update: Because of COVID-19, consultations are by telephone until further notice. Due to high demand, you must schedule an appointment beforehand.

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Immigration court list of legal services

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Immigration court list of legal services

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Legal Resource Finder

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The Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder gives you contact information for legal aid offices, government agencies and court programs that may be able to help you for free or at low cost.\n\nWe’ll also give you links to free legal information and self-help materials.

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Empower yourself with Know Your Rights 4 Immigrants app

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This is an extremely critical app to download onto family members phones if they are at risk of getting held up by ICE. I implore all who read this to think of your family members who could undergo racial profiling, and have a language barrier due to their English skills. Stay safe everyone!

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‎Empower yourself with Know Your Rights 4 Immigrants app. Use this app to prepare, learn and respond if you are at risk of being detained by deportation agents.

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By Tamara Montes de Oca

No child should live in fear of a knock on the door.

Recently, a neighbor's knock on my door sent my heart racing. For as long as I can remember, a knock on the door has triggered panic. It accelerates my thoughts into a spiral, and has me calculating the fastest escape route, just in case. As a child, a knock on the door could mean being taken away and separated from my mom and brother.

Growing up undocumented, a knock on the door carried immense weight-I could see it in the terror on my mother's face whenever someone knocked (a fear she has to this day, even though she no longer has a reason to be afraid because she has obtained a legal status). She always warned us to never open the door or speak about our status, not even to our closest friends or teachers. That was her way of helping us survive. I understand now.

At nine years old, I experienced a panic attack when my mother was pulled over during a routine traffic stop. I was afraid of the police. My chest tightened, and I struggled to breathe as I translated for her, telling the officer it was my mistake-I had given her the wrong directions. We were let off with a warning, but as soon as we drove off, I broke down sobbing. I feared the worst: the police discovering us and taking her away.

This fear rooted itself deeply within me, shaping how I see the world, how I move through it and how I hide from it.

Even now after twenty four years living in this country and with temporary legal status (DACA), the fear of ICE lingers. Trauma like this doesn't simply fade. It's a wound hard to heal from. I live with PTSD symptoms to this day, scanning my surroundings for potential threats and always trying to be 'prepared'. The anxiety never goes away.

I remind myself I am no longer in survival mode and deserve to be free from the fear that kept me hidden in so many ways. Now, I feel it's my responsibility to speak louder than I ever have. No family or child should have to live in this kind of fear or bear the lasting scars it leaves behind.

I believe community and knowledge will be our greatest strength these next couple of years. We are not alone in our struggles. Knowing our rights can make all the difference. Let's get informed. Let's organize. Let's speak up. We need to fight for a future where no families and children live in fear of a knock on the door.

Juntos Jamas Vamos a Ser Vencidos. Together we will never be defeated.

Ways to Resist and Organize with the Children in Your Life:

An example of a Red Card from ILRC

Distribute Red Cards:

Build Relationships:

Get to know your neighbors, your children's classmates and foster connections. A united community is a stronger one.

Express Through Art:

Create and share radical art whatever that might mean to you (write, paint, sing) to raise awareness, inspire action, and amplify the voices of those impacted.

Foster Empathy Through Storytelling:

Share stories of resilience and courage from your own life or from the community to help children understand the importance of supporting others. You can also use books to tell the story of someone else for example this list curated by Social Justice Books.

Raise Awareness:

Spread the word about available resources, rights, and ways to support those facing immigration challenges. Social media can be a powerful platform to share information.

Make a family preparedness plan:

Every family should have a Family Preparedness Plan. While we hope you never need to use it, having a plan in place can help reduce the stress of unexpected situations. The ILRC provides a comprehensive Family Preparedness Plan to guide you through the process.

Additional Resources for Supporting Immigrant Communities and Kids

Know Your Rights from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) "Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Learn more here about your rights as an immigrant, and how to express them." This resource from the ACLU covers many scenarios across ICE encounters such as in schools, homes and work places and is available in 17 languages.

10 Strategies for How Schools Should Respond to Help Children Impacted by ICE Raids | Bilingual infographic When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducts raids in a community, students are deeply affected. Even the threat of a raid or news of one in another part of the country can have painful lasting effects. To help educators serving students affected by ICE raids, see the strategies outlined by the IDRA (The Intercultural Development Research Association).

National Immigration Law Center To learn more about key issues impacting immigrant communities, explore the National Immigration Law Center Resource Library for expert-curated guides, toolkits, policy briefs, and more.

The Immigrant Defense Project offers tools, guides, and information to help communities protect their rights, navigate legal systems, and fight back against criminalization.

Volunteer at the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights The Young Center is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of unaccompanied immigrant children. By volunteering, you can help advocate for the best interests of these children as they navigate complex legal and social systems.

Whether at home, in the workplace, or at school, knowing your rights and taking proactive steps can make a profound difference. Together, we can stand in solidarity and advocate for the dignity, safety, and well-being of all individuals, regardless of immigration status.

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No child should live in fear of a knock on the door. Resources and tools for supporting immigrants right now.

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Resources for site staff to use when their families or communities are in crisis, with an emphasis on immigration rights.

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Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts

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Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts

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Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts

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Learn more about the rights afforded to immigrants under state law and resources available to immigrant communities in Massachusetts.

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IMMIGRANT DEFENSE HOTLINE: (617) 988-0606

Today, we are launching the Immigrant Defense Hotline (617-988-0606) to expand access to timely and free legal advice for immigrants facing imminent threats related to immigration enforcement, such as immigration raids or mass deportations.

Our hotline will be staffed with attorneys from LCR's staff and pro bono network. Callers who leave a message will receive a same-day response to questions about immigration enforcement and reports of immigration raids. We will track activity closely with community partners and mobilize legal and policy advocacy to protect immigrant families.

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During the FREE 45-minute consultations, immigration attorneys will provide basic legal advice, discuss legal options, answer legal questions, explain relevant laws and rights, and refer clients to agencies and community resources. The attorneys will not represent clients before Immigration Court or USCIS.

Register by calling 508-799-1655 x3 during Worcester Public Library hours.
This service is presented in partnership with Ascentria, Catholic Charities, Central West Justice Center, and Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice.

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FREE 45-minute consultations with immigration attorneys.

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Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

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Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

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Whether you’re a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a student on a visa, or undocumented, you have legal rights. … More

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Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic/Users/miguel/Local Documents/nwirp-temp/index.html advocacy, and community education.

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Everyone has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws. Learn more here about what your rights are, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated.

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Know Your Rights | American Civil Liberties Union

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Everyone has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws. Learn more here about what your rights are, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated.

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Resources - National Immigration Law Center

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Explore NILC’s resources. Check out expert-curated guides, toolkits, policy briefs, and more addressing key issues impacting immigrant communities.