Support and Resources for Families Facing Immigration Concerns 

Know Your Rights

Stay Informed: The U.S. Constitution extends certain protections to all individuals within the country's borders, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Knowing your rights is key to protecting yourself and your family. 

Key Rights to Remember: 

  • You have the right to remain silent and ask for an attorney if approached by immigration officials. 

  • If you are a U.S. citizen or have lawful immigration status: Show your passport, legal permanent resident card, work permit, or other documentation of your status. If you are over the age of 18, you should carry your papers with you at all times. 

  • If you are undocumented: You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with the police, immigration agents, or other officials. Anything you tell an officer can later be used against you in immigration court. 

  • Do not open the door to officials without a signed judicial warrant. Officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. ICE “warrants” are not signed by judges; they are ICE forms signed by ICE officers, and they do not grant authority to enter a home without the consent of the occupant(s). 

Prepare Your Family 

Create a Plan: 

  • Designate a trusted caregiver for your children in case of emergency. 

  • Create a folder with important documents such as birth certificates, passports, and contact information. 

  • Discuss and practice what to do if approached by immigration officials. 

Support for Children: 

  • Keep communication age-appropriate and reassuring. 

  • Maintain daily routines to provide stability for your children. 

Immigration Community Services

Local Legal Support 

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota 

  • Free immigration legal advice and representation. 

  • Phone: (651) 641-1011 

Advocates for Human Rights 

  • Assistance with asylum, deportation defense, and more. 

  • Phone: (612) 341-3302 

Volunteer Lawyers Network

  • Free consultations and legal clinics. 

  • Phone: (612) 752-6655 

Community Support Services 

United Way 211 Service 

  • Provides free and confidential health and human services information for people in Minnesota, including connecting people with local immigration services. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

  • Phone: 211 or 800-543-7709 or 651-291-0211 

Minnesota Welcome Center 

  • Provides free information and services to help people from foreign countries now living in the United States find support and resources they need to succeed in the community. 

  • Phone: (218) 673-1836 

City of Minneapolis Immigrant & Refugee Affairs 

  • Connects you with resources for shelter, food, legal help, and more.  

  • Phone: 612-394-6018 

International Institute of Minnesota 

  • Support for recent refugee arrivals who entered the U.S. before the January 20 suspension of refugee resettlement; English classes, employment support, and legal help. 

  • Phone: (651) 647-0191 

Arrive Ministries 

  • Serves newly arriving refugees in Minnesota with resettlement, employment, education and legal needs. 

  • Phone:612-798-4332 

CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio) 

  • Services for Latino families, including immigration assistance. 

  • Phone: (651) 379-4200 

Somali Community Resettlement Services 

  • Offers services tailored to Somali families, including housing support, legal assistance, and employment resources. 

  • Phone: (507) 292-4027 

Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM) 

  • Provides education, social services, and advocacy for Somali families. 

  • Phone: (612) 605-3222 

Somali American Parent Association (SAPA) 

  • Focuses on family engagement, education, and youth development for Somali families. 

  • Phone: (612) 353-5007 

Hmong American Partnership  

  • Provides job training, employment, housing and economic development programs. 

Karen Organization of Minnesota 

  • Social service agency founded by Karen refugees from Burma. Focuses on community health, social services, employment services and youth development programs. 

  • Phone: (651)788-7593 

SEWA-AIFA 

  • Serving and supporting the South Asian community, especially the vulnerable and underserved, in the Twin Cities and around Minnesota, Provides health care access, wellness information and resources, access to family violence resources and supports, and elder socialization activities. 

  • Phone: (763)205-9873