If you are a national of Cameroon (or if you have no nationality and last habitually resided in Cameroon) and are in the U.S. now and you do not have permanent immigration status here, you may be able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would allow you to live and work legally in the U.S. for as long as Cameroon is designated a TPS country.

If you are a national of Afghanistan (or if you have no nationality and last habitually resided in Afghanistan) and are in the U.S. now and you do not have permanent immigration status here, you may be able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would allow you to live and work legally in the U.S. for as long as Afghanistan is designated a TPS country.

If you are a national of Ukraine (or if you have no nationality and last habitually resided in Ukraine) and are in the U.S. now and you do not have permanent immigration status here, you may be able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would allow you to live and work legally in the U.S. for as long as Ukraine is designated a TPS country.

Over the years, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) agents have placed thousands of non-citizens in removal/deportation proceedings, often following a trip abroad. Below are some questions and answers that may help you decide whether you can leave the United States and come back without causing immigration problems. Generally, the answer will depend on the facts of your individual case. If any of the following things apply to you, you should seek legal advice from a reputable, experienced immigration lawyer before making any plans to leave the U.S.

If you are a Haitian national who has been in the U.S. since July 29, 2021 and you do not have permanent immigration status here, you may be able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would allow you to live and work legally in the U.S. for as long as Haiti is designated a TPS country.

Receiving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) from USCIS (an immigration government agency) means that the government will not deport you. It also allows you to get employment authorization (a work permit), a Social Security number, and permission to travel outside of the U.S. A grant of DACA is valid for two years, and can be renewed for more two-year periods. Currently, USCIS charges a filing fee of $495 for DACA.

**Important Update**

New York State ERAP applications will not be accepted after January 20, 2023, at 9:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Although the program will be closed to new applications OTDA will continue to process applications submitted before that time.

While an application for ERAP is pending eviction proceedings cannot move forward.

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Rent relief is available to those who have struggled to pay rent during COVID-19, regardless of your immigration status. The funding never has to be repaid and it is illegal for your landlord to refuse these funds.

If you are undocumented or from a mixed-status families, please call 212-298-3490 for assistance with applying to the New York State Rent Relief Program.

If you are a national of Myanmar/Burma in the U.S. and you do not have permanent immigration status here, you may be able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would allow you to live and work legally in the U.S. for as long as Myanmar is designated a TPS country.

Over the past two years, there has been a surge in harassment against the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Community. More than 9,000 hate incidents were reported between March 2020 and June 2021 across all 50 states. An unknown number of attacks went unreported. Everyone working in a massage business has legal rights, regardless of the type of work being done. You have the same rights and deserve the same respect as any other worker.

同心合力, 저희가 기억하고 잊지 않겠습니다, Pagkakaisa Laban sa Karahasan.

If you are a Venezuelan national in the U.S. and you do not have permanent immigration status here, you may be able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would allow you to live and work legally in the U.S. for as long as Venezuela is designated a TPS country.

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.

An executive order from President Joesph Biden has reversed the previous administration’s Muslim travel ban policies.

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.