Resources for Immigrant Students at CUNY: Legal Services

Our centers offer free immigration services to all members of the community (both CUNY students and non-students).

These resources are intended for CUNY students, faculty, and staff with questions and concerns about recent changes in federal policies around immigration.

The CLEAR (Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility) project, housed at CUNY School of Law, primarily aims to address the unmet legal needs of Muslim, Arab, South Asian, and other communities in the New York City area that are particularly affected by national security and counter-terrorism policies and practices.

This web-based Toolkit, compiled by the Immigrant & Non-Citizen Rights Clinic at the CUNY School of Law, is made to Challenge Gang Allegations Against Immigrant New Yorkers is a compilation of resources aimed at preventing, challenging, and defending against gang allegations, as well as documenting the unreliability of gang allegations and aggressive police practices in the immigration context.

"Our mission is to empower immigrants and refugees with the tools they need to successfully acclimate to the world around them and become active participants in their communities."

The Bronx Defenders serves the people of the Bronx by assisting them with their legal issues free of charge.

The mission of Brooklyn Defender Services is to provide high quality legal representation and related services to people who cannot afford to retain an attorney.

Central American Legal Assistance (CALA) provides free or low-cost legal services to New York’s immigrant community in order to protect and defend Central and South American asylum-seekers and to expand the civil rights of all immigrants. CALA has had an open door to newly-arrived immigrants since 1985. CALA’s staff are all bi-lingual.

DRUM is a multigenerational, membership-led organization of low-wage South Asian immigrant workers and youth in New York City. I’ve attended several of their “Hate Free Zone” rallies in Kensington Brooklyn and heard some of their leadership speak at the Brooklyn Museum.

Free Immigration consultations, legal services, and information sessions are available with Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC) at Brooklyn Public Library. To schedule an individual consultation, call 718.230.2042.

Legal Aid has an emergency hotline to assist immigrant communities impacted by recent ICE Raids. This includes an emergency plan in case of detained or deported family members.

MinKwon Center, located in Flushing, offers a comprehensive range of free social and legal services related to immigrant rights, housing and tenant rights, and financial benefits. Providing all of their services in Korean and Chinese free of charge, MinKwon Center prioritizes limited English-proficient and low-income immigrants and seniors who often face difficulty applying for public resources and legal representation.

NYIC offers a directory of low-cost legal service providers. Search the directory by specialty, by languages spoken or region.

NYLAG’s Immigrant Protection Unit (IPU) provides New York’s low-income immigrant communities with comprehensive legal services through consultation and direct representation.

The Door’s Legal Services Center is here to provide you with different kinds of legal counsel. We offer services in English, Spanish and French, and can access translators for many other languages.