Immigration Resources Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to provide critical resources and support for individuals and families affected by immigration, deportation and other ICE-related matters. It serves as an informational guide to help navigate available assistance and protections. 

Contact Your United States Senator or Representative 

Immigration issues are the jurisdiction of the federal government, and state level officials do not have the power to intervene on behalf of detainees. Contact your federal Senator or Representative for assistance. 

Find Contact information for your US Senators and Representatives: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member 

Members of Congress are generally only able to provide immigration casework assistance to constituents who have open immigration cases. File a casework request at their website. 

Disclaimer: The sharing of these resources does not constitute legal or other professional advice, and does not imply an endorsement or recommendation of any organization. 

1. 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. 

Know Your Rights – ACLU Minnesota 

Know Your Rights: CAIR – Council on American-Islamic Relations 

Know Your Rights: What to do if you or a loved one is detained – National Immigrant Justice Center 

Resources — MIRAC – Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee 

Resources- Monarca: Rapid Response Line 

Know Your Rights: Minnesota Office of Ombudsperson for Families 

2. 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. 

The Advocates for Human Rights: Free Immigration Legal Help: Provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking asylum, unaccompanied children, immigration detainees, and victims of human trafficking. 

Volunteer Lawyer Network (VLN): A nonprofit organization that connects low-income Minnesotans with top private attorneys offering free legal representation. To access services, call 612-752-6677. 

COPAL MN: Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina, is a member-based organization established in 2018 to improve the quality of life of Latine families. Over the past seven years, COPAL has evolved to become a well-known, grassroots power-building, and visionary transnational organization. They provide direct services to Latine/x/o communities with offices in Twin Cities, Mankato, and Rochester. 

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 your case is outside of normal processing times, check here:?https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/  

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 

3. 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   

To contact on behalf of an individual detained by ICE or BOP, email immcenter@americanbar.org  

Respondents detained at Department of Defense (DOD) military facilities (including Guantanamo) should contact our toll-free hotline at 1 (855) 641-6081 www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/ 

4. 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. 

Immigrant Defense Network: The Immigrant Defense Network (IDN) – based in Minnesota is a growing, statewide network of 100+ nonprofits, grassroots groups, and advocates – developing new rapid response and movement building strategies through deep collaboration and coordination. They provide constitutional observer training and direct support for impacted families experiencing ICE enforcement.  

States at the Core (STAC): STAC is a partner that fills in resource gaps for community leaders and organizers across the country who are facing everything from white nationalist rallies to school board takeovers to political violence.  They step in with rapid and customized support for front-line groups building strategic, tailored, and bold plans so they can take courageous action. States at the Core, or STAC, are offering trainings to help prepare neighbors to monitor, document, and fight against ICE activity.   

5. 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. 

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness): For mental health support in Minnesota related to ICE trauma, family separation, and harm, connect individuals are encouraged to contact NAMI Minnesota. Crisis Text Line: Free help is available 24/7 by texting HOME to 741741 or texting AYUDA for help in Spanish. 

Cornerstone: A multifaceted nonprofit with accessible, innovative and comprehensive services for adults and youth of all genders who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking or crime. Schedule an appointment with a Cornerstone advocate by calling 952.884.0376. To connect after hours, please call their local 24/7 crisis line at 952.884.0330. Interpreters are available. 

Disclaimer: The sharing of these resources does not constitute legal or other professional advice, and does not imply an endorsement or recommendation of any organization. 

 (Last Updated December 19, 2025)