Immigration Resources
Here are helpful resources to support immigrant students and families:
Know Your Rights
Resources
Click on the blue tabs for links to additional resources and information.
Family Support
Family Support Network & Hotline
Family Support Hotline: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693)
Languages: English | Spanish | Korean | Polish
Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan
Every family should have a plan in case of an emergency. Immigrant families are encouraged to prepare ahead for immigration-related emergencies.
Parental Rights Toolkit
Guidance for detained or deported parents on protecting parental rights, staying in touch with children, and participating in family court or child welfare hearings.
Health Resources
General Information
Map of Illinois health clinics offering free or low-cost care, regardless of immigration status.
Deportation and family separation can be traumatic for children. Resources by Zero to Three offer guidance for parents and providers supporting children’s mental health.
Immigrant Family Resource Programs
“The goal of the IFRP has been to connect immigrant families and other limited English-speaking persons in Illinois to the public benefits and services they need for proper health, well-being, and economic self-sufficiency.”
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Benefits
Provides food benefits to low-income families for nutritious meals.
WIC Program
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): A federal program that provides nutritious foods, health screenings, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.
Legal Resources
Find Legal Services
This directory is a searchable national resource that helps individuals locate nonprofit organizations offering free or low-cost immigration legal services. Users can search by state, county, zip code, or even by specific detention facility. This is a joint project of Immigration Advocates Network and Pro Bono Net.
NIJC Legal Services
The NIJC Detention Project provides legal orientation, screening, and representation for immigrant adults detained by ICE in the Midwest. The program assists individuals held in Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Indiana, prioritizing Illinois residents, and offers support for court cases, bond hearings, and release requests
Appleseed Network Manual
This free online guide is designed to help immigrant families proactively prepare for the possibility of detention or deportation. It covers key areas such as protecting children (custody, guardianship), managing finances and assets, maintaining rights, and creating emergency plans.
NIJC Family Safety Resources
This webpage offers practical resources aimed at immigrant families to help them prepare for the possibility of detention or deportation of a parent or caretaker. It provides guidance on steps like appointing guardians, using powers of attorney, and safeguarding children and dependents — with state-specific materials for Illinois and Indiana.