Know Your Rights Resources

As we head into this next presidential administration, we’re incredibly mindful of how many of our neighbors are concerned about what they might be facing. Trump and his appointees have explicitly threatened that their promised mass deportations will begin in Chicago, sending fear and anger through so many communities. On January 15, 2025, the Chicago City Council upheld the city’s Sanctuary City Ordinance, reinforcing the message that city resources will not be utilized in support of any ICE activities here. Sponsors of the failed ordinance that sought to weaken the law claimed that it would only be used against criminals and, without clarity on what crimes would qualify for deportation, that label could apply to many if not most of the folks we see and regard as our neighbors every day.

In an effort to continue to provide resources to our neighbors, we have created this resource page that we will continuously update as new information becomes available. Each graphic may be clicked on to open up a printable PDF version. If you have more resources you think may be useful, please feel free to email them to us at info@repcassidy.com.

Know Your Rights Information from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

In English

En Español

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), an organization that is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees, has put together a variety of Know Your Rights resources. To find more information about ICIRR, their programs, services, and resources, visit www.icirr.org.

Know Your Rights Cards

ICIRR has also put together Know Your Rights Cards. These come in a variety of languages and can be printed, folded, and carried with you to be handed to an ICE officer in the case of an interaction. We will also have copies of these printed at our office.

ISBE Releases Non-Regulatory Guidance on Immigration Enforcement Actions

From the Document: The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has received numerous requests as it relates to enforcement actions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or one of its associated agencies (e.g., U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection) on school property. This document is intended to serve as non-regulatory guidance for public schools that are searching for more information in this area.

Click on the image above for full document.

What To Do If You Or A Loved One Is Detained

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) has put together a comprehensive list of steps of what to do if you or a loved one has been detained by ICE. This ranges from locating someone in detainment to finding an attorney. Click the above image to go their website and visit this resource.

Guardianship Considerations

Access to Justice has created a frequently asked questions document with things to consider if someone is taken into ICE detainment with guardianship over a child/children at home. Click on the graphic above to access this document.

Emergency Family Plan Packet

Access to Justice, The Resurrection Project, and the Chicago Legal Fund have partnered to create this Emergency Family Plan packet that you can fill out and print to have your family be ready in case of an emergency. (In both English and Spanish Below)

In English

En Español

Organized Communities Against Deportation: Is It A Raid?

OCAD has put together a handy guide on how to report immigration activity while avoiding spreading misinformation and causing a panic. It is important that we watch out for ICE, but make sure that the information that you are spreading is credible.

In English

En Español

Chicago Tribune: If you’re arrested by ICE in Illinois, what happens next? Legal experts explain the process.

Click the photo above to see a Chicago Tribune article

Immigration Attorney Referral List

ICIRR has created a list of immigration attorneys in the Chicagoland area noting what languages they speak, their specialties, etc. Click on the image above to expand this list.

ICIRR Agency Referral List

Additionally, ICIRR has provided a list of non-profit agencies providing free or low-cost assistance with immigration matters. They are broken down by type of immigration case/application, deportation defense being one of them.

Other Attorney Resources

National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC): If you are detained, or are calling about someone in detention: Call the NIJC Detention Project at (773) 672-6599 on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Detained immigrants call collect at (312) 583-9721 or use the pro bono platform and NIJC's 3-digit code, 565. immigrantjustice.org/contact-us

Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance (MIDA): MIDA provides free legal services to eligible immigrants in detention through the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), The Resurrection Project (TRP), The Immigration Project (TIP), and the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender (CCPD). If a MIDA representative is present the day of your first hearing, you might have the opportunity to request a free representative, but MIDA representation is not always available. immigrantjustice.org/midwest-immigrant-defenders-alliance

Immigration Court’s list of free attorneys and representatives: www.justice.gov/eoir/recognized-organizations-and-accredited-representatives-roster-state-and-city

Immigrant Advocates directory: www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory

American Immigration Lawyers Association directory: ailalawyer.com

District Office: