Know Your Rights - Fact sheets on legal protections and what to do in interactions with ICE

Understanding your rights is essential when you or a loved one encounters Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Knowing what to do—and what not to do—can make a significant difference in protecting yourself and your family.

Legal Assistance - Contacts for immigration lawyers and nonprofit legal services

Below is a list of trusted legal services available to provide immigration-related legal assistance. These organizations offer free or low-cost support, including legal representation, advice, and referrals for individuals navigating the immigration system. 

Resources: 

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association – Find an Immigration Lawyer: This lawyer lookup tool connects individuals with immigration attorneys registered with AILA who meet certain professional criteria.
  • Central MN Legal Services: Provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families for civil legal matters. CMLS has offices in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Willmar and does not charge for legal services.
  • Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: A nonprofit organization offering free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota. Due to high demand, ILCM provides assistance based on capacity and refers clients to trusted organizations or attorneys when necessary.
  • International Institute of Minnesota – Citizenship and Minnesota: Offers low-cost immigration legal assistance for refugees and immigrants residing in Minnesota, including support for citizenship applications.
  • Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid:Staffed by experienced immigration attorneys, this project provides legal representation for various immigration matters, including defending detained immigrants in deportation proceedings. As an independent legal aid service, they do not report immigration status to any government agency, ensuring full confidentiality.
  • National Immigration Legal Services Directory: A searchable directory of nonprofit organizations providing free or low-cost immigration legal services. Users can find services by state, county, or detention facility.

Additional Legal Resources:

  • If you have an open case with USCIS (adjustment of status, citizenship, EAD, etc.), check the status of your case here: https://egov.uscis.gov/. 
  • If you have any questions related to your immigration status or have had interactions with law enforcement, consider reviewing this list of pro-bono legal service providers from the Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/probonofulllist/dl

Emergency Contacts - Key hotlines and support services for urgent situations

If you or someone you know is facing immigration detention, deportation, or an ICE-related emergency, these resources provide immediate assistance and guidance.

Resources: 

  • Immigrant Law Center of MN: If you are detained by ICE or calling on behalf of someone in ICE custody, contact ILCM for assistance at 651-641-1011. Available hours are Mondays from 2 to 4 pm and Thursdays from 1 to 3 pm.
  • Immigrants Rising Transforming Lives Through Education: If you are detained by ICE or calling on behalf of someone in ICE custody, contact ILCM for assistance at 651-641-1011.
  • ABA Commission on Immigration Detention Information Hotline:  
    • Pro se case assistance for detained respondents only. Respondents detained at Immigration and Customs  Enforcement (ICE) or Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities should contact our speed dial at 2150# or by calling (202) 442-3363  

Advocacy and Community Support - Organizations providing advocacy, counseling, and aid

This section highlights non-profit organizations actively working on deportation issues and offering advocacy, resources, and community support. These organizations are valuable partners for outreach and can assist with a wide range of services, from legal guidance to organizing community events.

Resources: 

  • Arrive Ministries: A refugee resettlement agency that provides crucial services and practical assistance to refugees and immigrants, promoting self-sufficiency. Through partnerships with local churches, they mobilize volunteers to offer love, friendship, and support to new arrivals, helping them thrive in their new community.
  • Black Immigrant Collective: A Black-led immigrant organization addressing the intersection of Blackness and immigration. They provide resources such as legal clinics, mutual aid, policy advocacy, and support for undocumented Black immigrants.
  • CAPI: An organization dedicated to supporting refugees and immigrants on their journey toward self-determination and social equity. CAPI is a key resource for connecting individuals to essential services and community-building opportunities.
  • CLUES Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio: Minnesota’s largest Latino-led nonprofit organization, CLUES focuses on the social and economic advancement of Latinos. With offices across Minnesota, they support community members through programs designed to ensure equity and well-being for Latinos.
  • Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: If you are detained by ICE or calling on behalf of someone in ICE custody, contact ILCM at 651-641-1011 during intake hours for assistance.
  • MN Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC): MIRAC works to secure legalization for all, eliminate immigration raids and deportations, and end anti-immigrant laws. They also provide know your rights materials and resources to empower immigrant communities.
  • MN Interfaith Coalition on Immigration (ICOM): ICOM’s Accompanying Immigrants in Detention (AID) program offers direct support to detainees and their families in the Twin Cities. Volunteers provide emotional support, financial assistance, and help individuals connect to vital resources. For support, leave a voicemail at 612-217-1185.
  • MN8: This organization advocates for an end to detention and deportation in Southeast Asian communities. They provide direct support to families affected by detention and deportation, utilizing community organizing and leadership development to bring about social and political change.
  • UNIDOS MN: A grassroots organization that works to build social, racial, and economic justice for Minnesota’s working families. UNIDOS MN offers resources on housing, health, legal assistance, employment, and more.

Additional Resources - Mental health support, housing assistance, and more

This section includes additional miscellaneous resources that can be valuable for addressing various immigration-related issues and community support needs. These resources offer guidance, information on legal rights, and other services that can be beneficial for immigrants and refugees.

Resources: 

  • Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs: Provides guidance and advocacy on immigration and refugee issues to elected leaders, policymakers, and city staff. The office works to promote the city’s legislative priorities on immigration-related matters. You can contact their office by calling (612)-394-6018 or emailing oira@minneapolismn.gov.
  • St. Paul Immigration Resources: Offers resources on various immigration issues, including how to avoid immigration scams, know your rights sessions, and citizenship application assistance.
  • Brooklyn Park FAQs: The City of Brooklyn Park recognizes the diverse citizenship statuses of its residents, including those with green cards, student and work visas, and undocumented individuals. For more information, visit their Immigration FAQ to learn about available resources and services.