Immigration
Immigrant and Refugee Resources
Cook County Government is committed to serving all residents and workers, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. While the County does not have direct authority related to immigration policy or enforcement actions, many of our offices and agencies serve in support roles to our immigrant community. As the second-largest county in the United States, where 21% of residents are foreign-born, we provide a variety of services and protections for all immigrants across the county.
This website includes Cook County Government resources for immigrants. Additionally, information on the Illinois Attorney General and local organizations who serve immigrants and refugees is available, including national and non-governmental organizations.
Legal Representation Against Deportation
The Cook County Public Defender's Office represents all immigrants, regardless of status, in Chicago Immigration Court to defend against deportation. The Immigration Division of the Public Defender’s Office works with assistant public defenders to identify potential adverse immigration consequences arising from their Cook County cases and recommend alternate resolutions. For more information, please visit their webpage here.
Individuals who have been arrested can call the Cook County Public Defender's Office at 844-877-4448 for free legal representation at the police station, available 24/7 365 days a year.
If you or someone you know is arrested, it's important to know your rights.
Do not talk to the police. Anyone in police custody has the right to remain silent.
Call 844-817-4448 and we will send an expert attorney to the police station to represent you for free.
The Arrest Hotline serves Chicago and all of Cook County, Illinois. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Learn more about this service by watching this video.
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office provides services to support immigrant communities, including an Immigrant Assistance Program that offers referrals and combats immigration-related fraud. They run a “Know Your Rights” campaign to educate immigrants about their legal protections and provide multilingual resources. The office also certifies U- and T-visa applications for crime and trafficking victims under the VOICES Act. Additionally, they guide law enforcement on state laws like the TRUST Act to ensure fair treatment of immigrants. Visit their page here for more information.
Please see the AG's Know Your Rights guidance when engaging with police officers or immigration agents at Know Your Rights.
The Know Your Rights document is available in additional languages, such as Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and more. Visit the Illinois Attorney General's page to find the Know Your Rights document in additional languages.
All immigrants, regardless of status, in Cook County can obtain free legal assistance if they are facing eviction, foreclosure, consumer debt, or tax deed issues. Noncitizens living in Cook County can obtain free legal assistance from Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) in matters involving eviction, foreclosure. consumer debt, and tax deed issues. CCLAHD also provides legal assistance to small landlords dealing with eviction issues. For more information, please visit their webpage: https://www.cookcountylegalaid.org/
Cook County Health does not ask about a patient’s immigration status. If a patient shares their immigration status, it is not maintained in their medical record and it is kept confidential. Please visit Cook County Health's website for more information. https://cookcountyhealth.org/
Anyone 19-64 years of age living in Cook County without health insurance may apply for CareLink. A person’s immigration status will not stop them from qualifying for the program. Eligibility is based on gross income, family size, and proof of Cook County residency. Patients must have lived in Cook County for at least 30 days prior to apply.
For more information on CareLink please visit the CareLink website.
211 Metro Chicago phone line helps individuals find local social services for childcare, employment, food assistance, healthcare, housing and more. 211 is free and confidential and available 24/7/365. 211 can be accessed via
Visiting https://211metrochicago.org;
Calling 2-1-1; and
Texting their zip code to 898211
All immigrants, regardless of status, are protected from unfair treatment at work or being denied access to housing based on citizenship status, country of origin, the language(s) they speak, or their cultural practices/traditions
Cook County’s Commission on Human Rights enforces laws to ensure that all workers receive the required minimum pay and paid time off and protects individuals from being treated unfairly at work or denied access to housing, county services, etc. based on citizenship status, country of origin, language(s) they speak, or cultural practices/traditions.
Anyone who believes their rights have been violated may file a complaint online. PDF Complaints are available in six additional languages on the Commission’s website.
The Commission will not ask you about immigration/citizenship status when an individual files a complaint for workplace discrimination/harassment.
Cook County is the second largest county in the United States and home to 5.2 million people. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 21.1 percent of Cook County’s population are foreign born and 35.2 percent of households speak a language other than English at home. In addition to that, 6.5 percent of Cook County residents under the age of 65 have a disability. Cook County government is committed to providing access to all residents, regardless of language and ability.
All residents have a right to access government services in a language that is familiar to them.
If English is not your first language, you can request an interpreter when you visit Cook County offices. Printed materials may also be requested in additional languages, including Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, Urdu, and Tagalog. If visiting a Cook County building, please use the language handout below and point to your preferred language.
| Organization Name | Website | Address | Location | State | Area of Service | Service(s) Provided | Specific Community Served | ||
| Access Living | https://www.accessliving.org | 115 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60654 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago | Home and community-based services Housing services Youth programs Legal Services | People with disabilities | ||
| AFIRE Chicago | https://www.afirechicago.org | 4300 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago, North, Northwest Suburbs | Citizenship Support Program Organizing Program Base-Building and Community Engagement | Filipinx/a/o | ||
| Albany Park Community Center | https://www.apccchgo.org/history | 5101 N. Kimball Ave. Chicago, IL. 60625 | Chicago | Illinois | Albany Park, Chicago | Early education, Youth development, Community Resources | All | ||
| Alianza Americas | https://www.alianzaamericas.org/?lang=en | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago and members across the country | Policy advocacy in the following areas: Immigrant justice Systemic inequities Climate justice | Latin American, Migrants | |||
| Alianza Hispanoamericana | https://www.alianzanfp.org | 600 Spring Hill Ring Road, Suite 107 West Dundee, IL 60118 | West Dundee | Illinois | Cook County, Collar Counties | Provides immigration legal services to the low-income community of Illinois | Latin American, Underrepresented, Non-citizens | ||
| Anti-Defamation League Midwest | https://www.adl.org | 120 S La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60603 | Chicago | Illinois | Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota | Fight Antisemitism Combat Extremism Disrupt Online Hate and Harassment Protect Civil Rights Challenge Bias | Jewish | ||
| Apna Ghar | https://www.apnaghar.org | 4350 North Broadway, 2 Floor, Chicago IL 60613 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago, Skokie, Southside, worldwide | Apna Ghar provides critical, comprehensive, culturally competent services, and conducts outreach and advocacy across immigrant, refugee and marginalized communities to end gender-based violence. | Survivors of gender violence | ||
| Arab American Action Network | https://aaan.org | 3148 West 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60629 | Chicago | Illinois | Southwest Chicagoland | Children’s Services Cultural Outreach Family Empowerment Program Youth Organizing Program | Arab | ||
| Arab American Family Services | https://aafsil.org | 7000 W 111th St #300, Worth, IL 60482 | St. Worth | Illinois | South and Southwest Suburbs, Cook, Will, and DuPage | Safety net case management Domestic violence prevention and intervention Elderly and disability assistance Cultural diversity training Mental health assistance Immigration services Community health and education programs Youth programs. | Arab, Muslim | ||
| ARISE Chicago | https://www.arisechicago.org | 1700 W. Hubbard, 2E, Chicago, IL 60622 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County | Builds partnerships between faith communities and workers to fight workplace injustice through education, organizing, and advocating for public policy changes. | Latino, Polish, Workers | ||
| Asian Americans Advancing Justice | https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org | 4716 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago, IL 60640 | Chicago | Illinois | nationwide | Fights for civil rights through education, litigation, and public policy advocacy | Asian American, Pacific Islander | ||
| Association House of Chicago | https://www.associationhouse.org | 1116 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60651 | Chicago | Illinois | Illinois, especially Chicago's westside | Behavioral Health Child Welfare Community Health High School Workforce Development | All | ||
| Assyrian National Council of Illinois | https://ancil.org | 2450 W Peterson Ave, , Chicago, IL 60659 | Chicago, Skokie | Illinois | Illinois | In-home care Childcare Assyrian School | Assyrian | ||
| Aunt Martha's Health and Wellness | https://www.auntmarthas.org | 19990 Governors Highway, Olympia Fields, IL 60461 | Olympia Fields | Illinois | Chicago Heights, Kankakee, Rockford - Cook, some of Will, Winnebago and Kankakee Counties | Healthcare Welcome center for immigrants and new residents Youth Crisis support Support for new parents | All | ||
| Beyond Legal Aid | https://www.beyondlegalaid.org | 17 North State Street #1380, Chicago, IL 60602 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County, Collar Counties | Community law offices for low-income and marginalized communities Workshops covering topics such as police and ICE interactions, tenant rights, citizenships, and DACA. | All | ||
| Binational Institute of Human Development | https://www.binationalinstitute.com | 2751 W 16th St, Chicago, IL 60608 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County, Collar Counties | The Legal and Immigration Center offers legal assistance from lawyers who have extensive experience and at the same time, we offer our services at very reasonable prices. Our mission is to help low- and moderate-income individuals with their immigration and legal processes by providing affordable yet high-quality representation | Women, All | ||
| Brighton Park Neighborhood Council | https://www.bpncchicago.org | 4477 S Archer Ave Ste 2845, Chicago, IL 60632 | Chicago | Illinois | Southwest Chicago | Public benefit enrollment Housing and Rental Counseling/Assistance Success and Stability Program Immigrant Welcoming Center Youth Services Community Programs | Working-class immigrants, All | ||
| Cambodian Association of Illinois | https://cambodianassociation.org | 2831 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 | Chicago | Illinois | Illinois, Cook County | Child and Youth Services Senior Services Immigrant Family Resource Program | Cambodian | ||
| Casa Michoacán | https://www.facebook.com/Fedecmi/ | Chicago | Illinois | Pilsen, Little Village, Chinatown, Little Italy, Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, Englewood, McKinley Park, Archer Heights, Gage Park, West Lawn, North Lawndale, Moline, Rock Island County, Peoria, Peoria County, Bloomington, McLean County, Kankakee, Kankakee County, Joliet, Will and Kendall Counties, Aurora, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties, West Chicago, DuPage County, Carbondale, Murphysboro, Elkville, Percy, Cobden, Du Coin, Marion, Anna, Gorham, Chester, West Frankfort, Alto Pass, Harrisburg, and Herrin | Citizen Workshops Community events | Latinx | |||
| Centro de Información | https://centrodeinformacion.org | 1885 Lin Lor Lane, Elgin, Illinois 60123 | Elgin | Illinois | Kane County and far northwest Cook County suburbs | Public benefits Immigration Services Immigrant welcoming center | Latino | ||
| Centro de Trabajadores Unidos | https://centrodetrabajadoresunidos.org | 9805 S. Ewing Ave, Chicago, IL, 60617 | Chicago | Illinois | South Chicago, Blue Island, Calumet City, Calumet Park, South Deering | Labor organizing Parent mentor program Immigration services Worker cooperatives | Low-income, People of color | ||
| Centro Romero | https://centroromero.org | 6216 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60660 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County - Edgewater, Rogers Park and Uptown Northeast side of Chicago | Adult education Legal services Public benefits Women's Program Youth Services | Latino, Other | ||
| Chicago Community and Workers' Rights | https://chicagoworkersrights.org | 1801 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago | CCWR is an organization led by workers for workers, regardless of immigration status, dedicated to educating, building leadership, and gathering resources in order to develop organizing tools and collective strategies of resistance against labor rights abuses, towards just living conditions for our families. | Workers | ||
| Chicago Volunteer Legal Services | https://www.cvls.org | 33 North Dearborn Street, Suite 400, Chicago, Illinois 60602 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago | Provides legal aid that is free and accessible. | Workers, Low-income | ||
| Chicago Workers Collaborative | https://www.chicagoworkerscollaborative.org | 6925 Cermak Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County, Collar Counties | Legal support Community Resources Organizing and advocacy | Workers | ||
| Children's Legal Center | https://www.childrenslegalcenterchicago.org | 1100 W Cermak Rd, Suite 422, Chicago, Illinois 60608 | Chicago | Illinois | Statewide | Provides free legal services and representation to children caught in the immigration process. | Children, Families | ||
| Chinese American Service League | https://www.caslservice.org | 2141 S. Tan Court, Chicago, IL 60616 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County - Armour Square, Bridgeport and McKinley Park | Legal services Child and youth programs Adult services Senior services Behavioral Health and Clinical Services | Chinese | ||
| Chinese Mutual Aid Association | https://www.chinesemutualaid.org | 1016 W. Argyle Street, Chicago, IL 60640 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County, Rogers Park, Edgewater, and Uptown | Adult Education Citizenship and Immigration Employment Services In-Home Services Youth Programs Social Services | Multi-ethnic, Low-income | ||
| Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community | https://cbcacchicago.org | 230 W Cermak, Floor 2, Chicago, IL 60616 | Chicago | Illinois | Greater Chicago | Civic education Community planning Civic leadership Neighborhood outreach | Chinese | ||
| Council on American-Islamic Relations | https://www.cair.com | Chicago | Illinois | Illinois | Policy and advocacy | Muslim | |||
| Enlace Chicago | https://www.enlacechicago.org | 2759 S. Harding Ave, Chicago, IL 60623 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County - Little Village | Immigration services Community health Violence prevention Education | Little Village | ||
| Erie Neighborhood House | https://eriehouse.org | 1347 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60642 | Chicago | Illinois | West Town, Humboldt Park, Little village, Cicero, Berwyn and surrounding neighborhoods | Legal services Children and youth programs Adult education and training | Latinx, Other | ||
| Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago | https://ecachicago.org | 5800 N Lincoln Ave, Unit C, Chicago, IL 60659 | Chicago | Illinois | West Ridge, Rogers Park, Edge Water, Albany Park, Skokie and Evanston | Employment case management Illinois welcoming center Out of school program English as a second language program Asylum | Ethiopian, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Refugees | ||
| Family Focus | https://www.family-focus.org | 910 W Van Buren St Ste 400, Chicago, IL 60607 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago and Northeast Illinois | Early childhood Youth development Family support | Families, Children | ||
| Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project | https://www.flapillinois.org | 100 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60602 | Chicago | Illinois | Illinois | Community outreach and education Information and Referrals Human labor trafficking awareness | Low-income, Workers | ||
| GirlForward | https://www.girlforward.org | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago | Mentor program Education program Safe spaces program | Girls, Women | |||
| Greater Chicago Legal Clinic | https://www.gclclaw.org | 17 North State Street, Suite 1710, Chicago, Illinois 60602 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County | Homelessness advice and representation program Family law Immigration Economic stability Housing stability Environmental law | All | ||
| HACES | https://haces.org | 820 W Greenwood Ave, Waukegan, IL 60087 | Waukegan | Illinois | Lake County | Legal services Immigrant family resource program Citizenship classes | All | ||
| Hana Center | https://hanacenter.org | 4300 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook and Northwest Suburbs - Albany Park, Irving Park, North Park, Uptown, and West Ridge | Immigration and legal services Workforce empowerment Public benefits assistance Housing counseling Mental health counseling | Korean, Asian American, Multi-ethnic | ||
| Hanul Family Alliance | https://www.hanulusa.org | 5008 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60625 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago, North Cook County, Lake, DuPage | Homecare Wellness and education Counseling Immigration Nutrition Social service | Korean | ||
| Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Rights | https://heartlandhumancareservices.org/program/rics | 4822 N Broadway, 2nd Flr, Chicago, IL 60640 | Chicago | Illinois | Statewide | Case management Youth and family services Vocational and English language training Employment services | All | ||
| Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society of Chicago | https://www.jcfs.org/hias | 216 W. Jackson St, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60606 | Chicago | Illinois | North and Northwest Suburbs, Chicago | Case management Citizen application support Refugee resettlement | All | ||
| Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights | https://www.icirr.org | 228 S. Wabash, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois 60604 | Chicago | Illinois | Illinois | Healthcare Access New Americans Democracy Project Immigrant Family Resource Program Family Support Network | All | ||
| Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants | https://www.icdichicago.org | 303 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2108, Chicago, IL 60601 | Chicago | Illinois | Will, Suburban Cook County, Cook County, including Logan Square | Provides essential items for new arrivals, provides community-based housing, and case management. | Detained, Other | ||
| Illinois Migrant Council | https://www.illinoismigrant.org | 333 Commerce Drive, Suite 800, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014 | Crystal Lake | Illinois | Winnebago, DeKalb, Kankakee, Boone, Madison, McHenry, McLean, Peoria, Sangamon, St. Clair, Champaign, Cass, Jackson, Williamson, Union, Franklin, Randolph, Alexander, Pulaski, and Perry Counties | Health education and family services Education services Housing services | Migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families | ||
| Indo-American Center | https://indoamerican.org | 6328 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60659 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago - West Ridge and Rogers Park, Northside | Adult literacy Community health education Civic engagement Immigration and citizenship Public benefits Senior services | South Asian | ||
| Inner-City Muslim Action Network | https://www.imancentral.org | 2744 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60629 | Chicago | Illinois | Southside Chicago | Health center Organizing and advocacy Re-entry services Arts and culture programs | People of color | ||
| Instituto del Progreso Latino | https://www.institutochicago.org | 2520 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago, Cook, DuPage, Lake County | Career pathways English, citizenship, and adult education classes Youth development Immigration legal aid | Latino | ||
| Irish Community Services | https://www.irishchicago.org | 4626 N. Knox Avenue, Ste. 301 Chicago, IL 60630 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago and North Suburban Cook County | Immigration and legal services Programs for seniors Youth and family programs Irish services Outreach and education | Irish | ||
| Japanese American Citizens League | https://jaclchicago.org | 5415 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60640 | Chicago | Illinois | Nationwide | Education and civil rights Intergenerational conversations Scholarships | Japanese | ||
| Latino Organization of the Southwest | http://latinoorganizationofthesouthwest.blogspot.com | 4051 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60629 | Chicago | Illinois | Southwest Chicago | Illinois welcoming center Immigrant family resource program Legal nights Youth programs | Latino, Other | ||
| Latino Resource Institute of Illinois | https://www.lrii.org | 8910 S Commercial Ave, Chicago, IL 60617 | Chicago | Illinois | Southeast Chicago and Southern Cook | Family advocacy center Illinois welcoming center | Latino | ||
| Legal Aid Chicago | https://legalaidchicago.org | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago and suburban Cook County | Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal representation to residents of Chicago and Suburban Cook County (statewide for migrant and human trafficking) who have limited income or special legal needs in the following areas: Family and safety House and apartment Money and debt Work and employment rights Health, disability, and basic needs Immigration | Low-income, Other | |||
| Mano a Mano Family Resource Center | https://www.mamfrc.org | 1801 Sheridan Rd Suite 101 North Chicago, IL 60064 | Round Lake Park | Illinois | Lake and McHenry Counties | Immigration legal services Access to care Health education and literacy English language learning GED in Spanish Digital literacy | All | ||
| Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance | https://mirachicago.org | 6420 N California Ave Upper 1 Chicago, IL 60645 | Chicago | Illinois | Edgewater, Uptown, Rogers Park, West Ridge, Lincoln Square, North Center, Niles, Evanston, Skokie | Case management program Community engagement programs Immigration legal services Refugee Women's Economic Empowerment Program Refugee Women's Mental Health Empowerment Program Refugee Women's Community Support Program | Middle Eastern | ||
| Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project | http://www.mica-project.org | 2650 Cherokee St. St. Louis, MO 63118 | St. Louis | Missouri | Eastern half of Missouri and the southern half of Illinois | Legal services Community outreach | Low-income | ||
| Mijente | https://mijente.net | N/A | Illinois | Nationwide | Policy and advocacy | Latinx and Chicanx | |||
| Mujeres Latinas en Accion | https://mujereslatinasenaccion.org | 2124 W. 21st Place, Chicago, IL 60608 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago Metropolitan Area | Domestic violence crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, adult and child therapy Sexual violence crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, adult and child therapy Survivor financial wellness program Survivor leadership program Small business training Parent support | Latina | ||
| Muslim Civic Coalition | https://muslimciviccoalition.org | 200 W. Madison St., Suite 300, Chicago IL 60606 | Chicago | Illinois | Illinois | Policy and advocacy | Muslim | ||
| Muslim Women Resource Center | https://www.mwrcnfp.org | 2828 W Devon Ave Chicago, IL 6065 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago and Cook County townships | English classes Immigration assistance Rental assistance Public benefits assistance | Muslim, Women | ||
| National Immigrant Justice Center | https://immigrantjustice.org | 111 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60604 | Chicago | Illinois | Statewide | Legal representation for asylum seekers DACA Renewals and applications Applications for citizenship, permanent residence, and visas | All | ||
| North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic | https://nslegalaid.org | 3500 Western Avenue, Suite 2A, Highland Park, IL 60035 | Highland Park | Illinois | Lake County and suburban Cook County | Provides accessible, quality, equitable, free legal aid services in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration. | Low-income, All | ||
| Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors | https://nijfon.org | Multiple locations | Chicago | Illinois | Northern Illinois, North of Interstate 80 | Provides free high-quality legal services to low-income immigrants, engages in education and advocacy efforts and builds cross-cultural relationships. | Low-income | ||
| Northside Community Resources | https://www.northsidecommunityresources.org | 1530 W Morse Ave, Chicago, IL 60626 | Chicago | Illinois | Rogers Park, Westridge, Edgewater, Uptown, Evanston, Skokie | Housing services Immigrant services Housing discrimination advocacy At-risk senior case management Small accessible repairs for seniors | All | ||
| Northwest Center Chicago | https://www.northwestcenterchicago.org | 5233 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60639 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago, Belmont Cragin, and the surrounding communities | Community support programs Immigration support and advocacy Parent programs Youth programs Older adult programs | All | ||
| Onward Neighborhood House | https://onwardhouse.org | 5413 W. Diversey Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County - Belmont Cragin, Austin, Dunning, Hanson Park, Portage Park, Logan Square, Hermosa, and Montclaire | Welcoming center After school programs Food pantry Immigration and citizenship services Computer classes ESL and GED Classes | All | ||
| Organized Communities Against Deportations | https://www.organizedcommunities.org | Chicago | Illinois | Illinois | Policy and advocacy | All | |||
| Polish American Association | https://www.polish.org/en/ | 3834 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago Metro Area | Education Employment Immigration Clinical services Supportive services | Polish, Other | ||
| Puerto Rican Cultural Center | https://prcc-chgo.org | 2619 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County - Humboldt Park, Hermosa Park, Logan Square | Economic development Education Public health Housing initiatives | Puerto Rican, Latino | ||
| Pui Tak Center | https://www.puitak.org | 2216 S. Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 | Chicago | Illinois | Greater Chicago Chinatown community | ESL and citizenship classes Adult 1 on 1 tutoring Immigrant welcoming center Child and youth programs Disability services Hope Counseling services | Chinese | ||
| Refugee One | https://www.refugeeone.org | 6008 N. California Ave, Chicago, IL 60659 | Chicago, IL | Illinois | Chicago | Resettlement services English language training Workforce development Wellness program Dental clinic Immigration assistance Women's services Youth and young adult programs | Refugees | ||
| Rincon Family Services | https://www.rinconfamilyservices.org | 3710 N. Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 | Chicago, Kankakee | Illinois | Chicagoland | Outpatient substance abuse program Mental health services Immigration integration Preventative services Rental assistance Youth resources | All | ||
| South-East Asia Center | https://se-asiacenter.org | 5120 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640 | Chicago, IL | Illinois | Northeast quadrant of Chicago, Lake Michigan on the east, Pulaski on the west; and Howard on the north to Irving Park on the South | English classes Parenting classes Immigration and citizenship Senior programs Youth programs | All | ||
| Syrian Community Network | https://www.syriancommunitynetwork.org | 5439 Broadway Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60640 | Chicago, IL | Illinois | Cook, Suburban Cook, Kane, DuPage, and Kendall Counties | Case management Adult education Youth education Immigration Advocacy | Syrian, All | ||
| The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago | https://www.ciogc.org | 231 S State Street, Suite 300, Chicago IL 60604 | Chicago, IL | Illinois | Greater Chicagoland | Social justice Youth programs Civic engagement | Muslim | ||
| The Ressurection Project | https://resurrectionproject.org | 1818 South Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60608 | Chicago, IL | Illinois | Chicago - Pilsen, Little Village, Back of the Yards, Brighton Park, Gage Park, West Lawn, Cicero, Berwyn, Melrose Park | Financial wellness Affordable housing Leadership development Immigration legal services | All | ||
| Township High School District 214 Community Education | https://www.ce.d214.org | 2121 South Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 | Arlington Heights | Illinois | Northwest Suburban Chicago | Citizenship classes Reading 101 Spanish GED Various courses for adults and youth | All | ||
| United African Organization | https://uniteafricans.org | 6042 S Indiana Avenue, Chicago, IL. 60637 | Chicago | Illinois | Statewide including Cook Bronzeville, Chathan, Kenwood, Hyde Park, Roseland, Calumet City, Oaklawn, South Chicago, Uptown, Rogers Park, Edgewater, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Will, DuPage, and Rock Island Counties | Immigration legal program Policy and advocacy Family services Community initiatives | African | ||
| Universidad Popular | https://universidadpopular.us | 2801 S. Hamlin Ave. Chicago, IL. 60623 | Chicago | Illinois | Little Village, West Lawn, and the surrounding communities of Chicago | Language courses Family workshops Health and nutrition seminars Community resources | All | ||
| Vietnamese Association of Illinois | http://hnvi.org | 5110 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 | Chicago | Illinois | Cook County: Rogers Park, Uptown, Andersonville, West Ridge, North Park, Edgewater, Suburbs: Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Glenview, Wheaton, Aurora, Des Plaines, Carol Stream and DuPage County | Adult education programs, ESL and Citizenship classes Community organizing Community care program for seniors Immigration family resource program Youth programs | Vietnamese | ||
| World Relief Chicagoland | https://worldrelief.org/chicagoland/ | 3507 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60625 | Chicago | Illinois | Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Aurora | Immigration legal services Workforce development Refugee resettlement Case management Adult education Asylum project Children and youth support Mental health | All | ||
| Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights | https://www.theyoungcenter.org | 2245 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60616 | Chicago | Illinois | Nationwide | Child advocate program Policy program Technical assistance program | Unaccompanied children | ||
| YWCA Elgin | https://www.ywcaelgin.org | 220 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120 | Elgin | Illinois | DeKalb, DuPage, Kane County, Suburban Cook County | Citizenship and immigration services Clothing distribution center English classes Family literacy School age childcare | All | ||
| Xilin Association | https://xilin.org | 2356 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 6061 | Arlington Heights | Illinois | Chicago - Bridgeport, Chinatown, Pilsen, Aurora, Arlington Heights, Naperville, Elgin | Illinois welcoming center Youth education Senior services Community health Performing arts | Chinese, Underserved populations |
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - Agency responsible for applications for immigration benefits, including asylum and refugee applications.
- EBSCO Legal Information Reference Center - Click on "Immigration and Travel" after logging in. Includes information on getting a green card, different types of visas, and acquiring U.S. Citizenship.
- Immi - Free online resources geared towards helping immigrants in the U.S. understand their legal options. Includes a screening tool to help immigrants understand their legal options, referrals to legal aid organizations, a glossary of immigration terminology and articles on topics ranging from identifying immigration scams to how to help someone currently in detention. From Pro Bono Net.
- Visa Wizard - Online tool designed to help foreign citizens travelling to the United States determine what type of visa they need. From the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.
- American Bar Association Commission on Immigration - Formed by the merger of the ABA Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law and the Immigration Pro Bono Development and Bar Activation Project. Focused on ensuring due process rights for immigrants and refugees.
- American Immigration Council - Nonprofit centered on fair judicial process for immigrants and dispelling myths about immigration.
- Immigration Lawyers Association - The national association of immigration lawyers. Provides access to news, cases and administrative materials. Databases and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) classes are available to members.
- National Immigration Forum
- National Immigration Justice Center - Legal aid organization for low income immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
- En Español
- Services - Including legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children, LGBTQ immigrants, victims of human trafficking, and more.
- National Immigration Law Center - Organization exclusively focused on supporting low income immigrants. Activities include litigation, advocacy and policy analysis.
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) information
- Drivers' Licenses - For laws governing immigrant access to driver's licenses
- Worker's Rights - Including employment eligibility verification, worksite immigration enforcement and employment discrimination
Asylum and Refugee Law
- RefWorld - Information on refugee status determination, details on asylum claims, conditions in refugee countries of origin, case law and more. From the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) - Advocacy and refugee settlement organization. Services include financial literacy programs, cultural orientation, job placement, interpreting services and legal representation.
- Research and Reports - Includes research about refugees, resources for those serving refugees and handouts in multiple languages on topics like nutrition and domestic violence.
- Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Geneva 28 July 1951, 198 U.N.T.S. 137
- Articles 2-28 Annotated (PDF) - Annotations by Dr. Paul Weis.
- Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, New York, 31 January 1967, 606 U.N.T.S. 267
PLEASE NOTE: The websites listed in this guide are for information only and are not endorsed or supported by the Cook County Law Library. Please independently verify the accuracy and currency of all information. Consult an attorney for legal advice.