Immigrant and Refugee Resources

The Committee for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (CIRR) hosts regular Know Your Rights workshops around the City. In partnership with the UIC Law, Public Defender’s Office, Indo American Center, and other community organizations, these workshops inform immigrants about their basic civil rights and provide information about the U.S. immigration system, asylum eligibility and other immigration relief, and U.S. criminal law.

Avoid immigration fraud by being aware of common fraudulent practices like these:

• Avoid notarios (The term “notario” is misleading because in many Latin American countries it refers to someone who is an attorney or has legal training. This is not the case in the US).
• Avoid anyone who ‘guarantees’ that they can get you a specific benefit, like a visa or green card.
• Avoid any forms that require a fee to download
• Never sign blank forms.
• Always request a receipt for any payment made to your attorney or representative.
• Keep copies of all forms and documents submitted to the government for your own records.

If you think you may have been a victim of immigration fraud, report it:

• Attorney General of Illinois : call 1-800-386-5438 and Spanish Language Toll Free Hotline:1-866-310-8398
• City of Chicago Department of Consumer Services : call 311 (Chicago Police non-emergency)

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is an immigration status that grants a United States stay to people from countries designated by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as ‘unsafe to return to’ due to catastrophic events such as civil war or an environmental disaster. Those granted TPS have a temporary reprieve from deportation and are eligible to apply for employment authorization. 

TPS designations are shifting constantly in the current federal environment, so we recommend contacting a legal professional for assistance!

If you feel that your rights have been violated in your workplace, you can request assistance at:

• Submit a contact form through Raise the Floor Alliance
• Contact Arise Chicago at 773-769-6000 or via email workercenter@arisechicago.org 

The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is a homeless prevention program that provides financial assistance to eligible Chicago residents who are at risk of becoming homeless. The program targets households who have had a documented loss of income.

The program is designed to stabilize individuals and families in their existing rental units. Because the program assists only those currently in housing, it is not designed to relocate homeless families from shelter to housing. Rental assistance does not provide support for people who need help paying mortgages.

RAP is open to all Chicago residents regardless of legal immigration status. You may be eligible for rental assistance if:

• you live in the City of Chicago; and
• you are at risk of becoming homeless due to eviction, loss of income or other emergency; and
• you economically classify as a low-income household; and
• your landlord completes the RAP requirements.

To apply for assistance, complete a Rental Assistance Program application. Please keep in mind that you must have a documented crisis or emergency and proof of household income for 90 days, and the property owner/manager must agree to participate in the program.
Learn more about applying or find a center that can assist you in your application at the City of Chicago Rental Assistance website. For any questions, please visit the RAP FAQ page.

Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) provides funding to Illinois tenants and landlords across Illinois who have pending cases in eviction court. Applicants may qualify for up to 15 months of past-due rent and 3 months of future rent payments to prevent eviction. If you need help applying, you can download a spreadsheet of HUD-Certified Housing Counselors that can help.

Under the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, landlords are (unless required by law or a court order) prohibited from:

• disclosing or threatening to disclose a tenant’s citizenship or immigration status to any person, entity, or immigration / law enforcement agency (including ICE), with the intent of (1) harassing or intimidating the tenant, (2) retaliating against the tenant for exercising their rights, or (3) influencing the tenant to surrender possession;
• acting to regain possession of a unit due to the tenant’s immigration or citizenship status;
• evicting, increasing rent, shutting off utilities, or refusing to make repairs.

If a landlord breaks the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, the tenant may sue the landlord to seek the following remedies. The immigration or citizenship status of the tenant is irrelevant to the tenant’s housing rights, and no inquiry into the tenant’s immigration or citizenship status is permitted (EXCEPT in specific circumstances outlined by the law, section 15b).

Illinois tenants who have been threatened or evicted due to their immigration status can call Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) for assistance at (312) 427-0701.

Children from birth to age 21 who live in Chicago are eligible for enrollment in a Chicago Public School. Families arriving in Chicago are eligible to enroll at any open enrollment school in their area. As part of that process, the school assesses students’ linguistic, academic, and social-emotional needs to ensure they are placed in an appropriate instructional setting and are connected to additional resources and assistance as needed.

• Pre-K students are not guaranteed a seat in their neighborhood school and should apply through Chicago Early Learning
• Students in grades K-12 have a guaranteed seat at the general education program in their neighborhood school. Find your local school on the CPS website, or contact the enrollment Support Hotline at 773-527-3202

CPS offers several support services for refugees and other students and families who have recently arrived in the United States. To learn more, contact your local school.

Unhoused students and students in temporary living situations can qualify for STLS Support, including transportation coordination, waiving school fees, after school tutoring, free uniforms, free school supplies, free school meals, and low-cost or free medical referrals. Students can apply for STLS Support at the Robert Clemente Welcome Center located at 1147 N. Western Ave.

For more information on services available: call the Foreign Student Services at 773-553-1937 or email BARCEO­@CPS.EDU or Chicago Public Schools (cps.edu)

In Chicago, there are several resources and programs available to educate undocumented students. See the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling and City of Chicago College Access for Undocumented Students for more details based on the University or colleges that provide different resources near you. 

Additional scholarships, funding and resources for undocumented students seeking higher education are available through: 

• University of Illinois Chicago
• Illinois Student  Assistance Commission
• TheDream.US
• The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights offers a DACA renewal scholarship
• Other organizations offer DACA renewal scholarships through the New American Initiative

The CityKey is a free, optional City of Chicago-issued ID card that is only recognized as government ID in the City of Chicago. City Key is available to all Chicago residents, regardless of immigration status. For many residents who do not have an identification card, CityKey can serve as an official government issued identification and can be used to access city services.

It serves as: 

• a Chicago Public Library Card, 
• a Chicago Transit Authority Ventra Card, 
• and a Chicago Rx prescription drug discount card. 
• CityKey holders are also eligible for many discounts and benefits offered by participating CityKey business partners across the city.

Learn more and apply for this free city resource online at the Chicago City Clerk’s website.

The Committee for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (CIRR) hosts regular CityKey events around the City. Visit CIRR’s Community Engagement page to find upcoming events!

Undocumented immigrants and non-visa status individuals can obtain a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL) if they’ve resided in Illinois for at least 12 months. A TVDL is valid for a maximum of three years, and is renewable. Please note that TVDL’s are not valid for identification, and may not be accepted for driving in other states.

If you are eligible for the TVDL, you can apply at any of the Secretary of State’s Office facilities or make an appointment online or by calling at 217-557-0680.

For more information visit the Illinois Secretary of State TVDL website, or check out this resource.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Illinois Welcoming Center (IWC) is a service center for immigrants and refugees in Illinois.

There are now 35 comprehensive service centers that offer:

• Comprehensive, holistic, linguistic + culturally sensitive case management (including service coordination).
• Assistance with state, federal, and social service benefits and services.
• Community education workshops to help immigrants and refugees learn about resources and information.

For more information visit IDHS’s website.

The Immigrant Family Resource Program (IFRP) funds 44 community-based organizations to provide assistance for low-income immigrants,  including access to public benefits and links to human services. Visit the IDHS website for a list of participating community organizations, including the services and languages available at each organization.

• ICIRR Healthcare resources: access healthcare from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
• The Chicago Department of Public Health provides community health services through Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Find health center near you.
• City of Chicago Domestic Violence Help Line: Call 1-877-863-6338. This is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential number.
  • Bi-lingual and bi-cultural Spanish speaking advocates are always available, and operators can access the Language Line for over 140 other languages.
  • Call 1-877-863-6338.
• Victims of Trafficking, Torture, or Other Serious Crimes (VTTC) program offers eligible applicants medical, food, and cash assistance from the state.
  • To receive VTTC public benefits, the applicant must have filed or be preparing to file asylum, or either a ‘T’ or ‘U’ non-immigrant visa. Visit the IL Department of Human Services (IDHS) VTTC webpage for eligibility requirements.
  • Applications for VTTC can be completed online via ABE.illinois.gov, in person at an IDHS Family Community Resource Center or by calling 1-800-846-6154.
  • For recent changes to the VTTC program,