The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been sending messages to some people who were paroled into the U.S., ending their parole and telling them to leave the U.S. immediately.

Some people who are not U.S. citizens need to register with the U.S. government. This means telling the government that you are in the United States. You can find more details here.

The US government has made significant decisions regarding Venezuelan Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This factsheet will help you determine what that means for you.

**Update 4/7/2025**
A federal judge issued an order postponing the end of 2023 Venezuelan Temporary Protected Status (TPS). At this time, it is possible renew both 2023 Venezuelan TPS and 2021 Venezuelan TPS, under this January 17, 2025 Federal Register notice. 2023 Venezuelan TPS work permits are automatically extended to April 2, 2026, but we recommend that you file for renewal as soon as possible. Note that the status of the Venezuelan TPS extension is still being fought over in the courts, so things may change again. Please check the USCIS Venezuelan TPS page for updates.

U non-immigrant status (commonly referred to as a “U visa”) provides lawful immigration status for victims of certain crimes in the United States when they have or will cooperate with law enforcement to investigate or prosecute that criminal activity. Its purpose is to allow victims without lawful status to report crimes to law enforcement (or other relevant agencies) without fear of reprisal, such as deportation.

While commonly referred to as “U visa,” applicants are granted U nonimmigrant status allowing them to live legally in the US for a 4-year period. They are not actually issued a visa in their passport

T non-immigrant legal status (commonly referred to as a “T visa”) provides lawful immigration status for victims of a severe form of human trafficking, either labor trafficking or sex trafficking.

While commonly referred to as “T visa,” applicants are granted T non-immigrant status allowing them to live legally in the US for a 4-year period. They are not actually issued a visa in their passport.

Information about current New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) policies related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

With the second Trump Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may attempt to detain and deport many non-citizens. The following is guidance if you are stopped or arrested by ICE.

It is important for non-citizens to understand some basics about who Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may arrest and detain, what happens if you are detained, and what rights you have.

With the second Trump Administration, there is understandable concern among advocates about how to assist potentially removable non-citizens (“vulnerable immigrants” or simply “immigrants”) without running afoul of the federal harboring law, federal harboring statute, 8 U.S.C. § 1324.

If you are the parent of a minor child, you are not a U.S. citizen, and believe that you might be at risk for being removed (deported) from the U.S. in the future, there are certain steps you can take now to plan for the care and custody of your child.

Information about attending high school in New York City for recently arrived immigrants.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a designation by the United States government that allows individuals from certain countries with unsafe conditions to reside and work legally in the U.S. temporarily. It is valid for 18 months at a time, allows you to apply for a work permit and a Social Security Number, and may be renewed for as long as your country is designated for TPS.

If you are a single adult New Arrival or part of an adult family of New Arrivals, you have a right to shelter in New York City if you have no other safe place to sleep and cannot afford permanent housing. You are a “New Arrival” if you arrived in the United States on or after March 15, 2022, and have a fear of returning to your home country.

You are an “adult” if you are 18 or older. You are an “adult family” if you and your adult family members have no child here with you who is under 21 years old. You are a “single adult” if you are applying by yourself. Even though you have a right to shelter if you don’t have another safe place to sleep, the City will require you to follow certain steps to make sure you are eligible (see below).

This information only applies to adult New Arrivals. The information does not apply to New Arrival families in New York with minor children (children under the age of 21) or pregnant people. This information does not apply to anyone from another country (adults and families) who arrived in the United States before March 15, 2022.

New York City is issuing 60 day notices to families with children living in HERRC shelters who arrived in the United States after March 15, 2022 and are afraid to return to their home country. These 60 day notices tell families that their shelter placement will end after 60 days.

In New York City, school-age children are afforded certain rights under The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

If you are in New York City and have nowhere safe to sleep, you have a right to a shelter bed. If you recently came to New York City from a different country, and you have no other safe place to stay, you have a right to shelter, regardless of your immigration status. Please be aware that there have been recent changes regarding the right to shelter for single adult and adult family New Arrivals. Read our full resource on these changes here.

You may have an appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE is a federal government office that deals with immigrants. ICE agents do different things, including detaining and prosecuting immigrants.

Many people have ICE appointments after they encounter immigration agents at the US/Mexico border, even if the encounter was very brief. ICE agents use these appointments to keep track of immigrants that they have released from detention.

An ICE appointment is different than an immigration court hearing. You might have regular ICE appointments and also an immigration court case. Or you might only have ICE appointments for now.

You may need to speak with a judge in an immigration court. This immigration court case will determine whether or not you will be allowed to stay in the U.S.  

*If you are detained by ICE, you may be able to receive free immigration legal representation from NYIFUP.

Asylum is legal status that will allow you to live and work in the United States. You can apply for asylum if you are afraid to live in your country because you will be persecuted (severely mistreated). After a year in asylum status, you can apply for a green card (lawful permanent residence). 

The New York Immigrant Family Unity Project, also known as NYIFUP is a group of attorneys from The Legal Aid Society, The Bronx Defenders and Brooklyn Defender Services. We believe all people in immigration detention should have an attorney. We represent people with different kinds of immigration cases. We do not work for the U.S. government or the immigration court. All our services are free.

If you are a noncitizen and do not have work authorization, employers are not legally allowed hire you. Employers must ask you for identification and work authorization at the time of hiring. They can also ask you to update this information when they know that your work authorization has expired or will soon expire.

If you entered the U.S. without permission, or were paroled in, but now wish to leave, you could leave the U.S. voluntarily. However, there are some things that you should be aware of.

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.

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.

**Please Note** In 2021, a federal district court judge blocked first-time DACA applicants from being granted status. For now, individuals who already have DACA can continue to renew their status, until there is a further decision from that judge or from a higher court.

For assistance with filing a DACA renewal application, please call The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 or call 311 and say “Immigration Legal”, between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday. You can also visit their website for more detailed information.  

“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.

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 page 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. You should not assume that even if 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.