Resources for Immigrants
As Mercy, we are called to reaffirm our solidarity and support for our immigrant sisters and brothers, step up our pastoral accompaniment, and publicly challenge cruel and inhumane plans that will cause enormous trauma and tear families apart.
These resources are for use by immigrants and those assisting immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented and from mixed status families.
Know Your Rights
All immigrants have rights, regardless of legal status. These are helpful resources from the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC):
- Know Your Rights Card
- Know Your Rights Flyers including:
- • Rights in your home
- • Rights in your car
- • Rights in public spaces and more
Find Legal Assistance
Applying for legal status requires special attention to each individual’s situation. These directories can assist with finding a trusted, local immigration lawyer:
- • Catholic Legal Immigration Network’s Affiliate Directory includes 420 affiliates across 49 states and the District of Columbia.
- • The National Immigration Legal Services Directory provides searches for free or low cost immigration legal services by state, zip code or detention facility.
Family Preparedness & Emergency Response
Immigration Legal Resource Center: Family Preparedness Plan
Make the Road New York: Deportation Defense Manual
CLINIC provides two action plans for emergency situations (English only):
- • A plan of action for communities to support and guide people during and after an immigration raid in this Rapid Response Toolkit
- • Emergency Preparedness for Immigrant Families: A 50 State Resource that includes this Emergency Planning Guide
Guides for Schools
The American Federation of Teachers offers these resources:
- • Protecting Our Students Toolkit
- • Know Your Rights for Immigrant Students & Schools
- • 15 Things educators, school support staff and communities can do to support immigrant families
Additional Resources
- • Preparing for Raids (Arkansas Immigrant Defense – English only)
- • Guidance on Immigration Issues (National Education Association – English only)
- • Living the Mercy Mission (Mercy Education)
- • How Campuses Can Support Undocumented Students (Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration – English Only)
Our January 15th, 2025 webinar, Understanding the Threat of Mass Deportation and Taking Action, is opportunity to deepen your understanding of immigration, discover ways to work in solidarity with the immigrant community and make a difference. Viewers will explore the threat of mass deportation and discover resources to take action.
Additional Resources
- Steps for asylum seekers to take ASAP. Includes information on work permit applications and other immigration status options for eligible individuals.
- Help for detained immigrants (see “Find Help” heading on linked page)
- Resources for minors and unaccompanied children applying for asylum
- Organizations that provide limited legal assistance in immigration court to asylum seekers without lawyers
- Recommended private immigration lawyers
Background Information