Resources to Support Immigrant Communities
Giving City of Boston residents immigration resources and information.
This document consolidates and shares available immigration education and resources. Access and download the resource guide in other languages here.
Nothing in this document represents formal legal advice, and residents are encouraged to contact the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) if they have further questions.
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Still have questions? Contact:
Immigrant Advancement
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1 City Hall Square
Room 806Boston, MA 02201-2030
In the Document
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Resource | Phone Immigration Consultations with Volunteer Lawyers |
| Description |
Free 15 minute phone immigration consultations for Boston residents to speak with volunteer lawyers The City is not responsible for any advice received and cannot guarantee the sufficiency, accuracy or confidentiality of any information shared during consultation. |
| Resource | Monthly Community Office Hours |
| Description |
Monthly Community Office Hours are available to connect to MOIA and other City services at the east Boston and Codman Square branches of Boston Public Library For additional support, residents can contact MOIA's constituent services by emailing immigrantadvancement@boston.gov. |
| Resource | City of Belonging |
| Description | The City of Belonging campaign is MOIA’s theme for 2025. Part of the campaign includes posters with a clear message: “You Belong Here.” Anyone is welcome to order posters for pickup at City Hall. Our goal is to boost morale in our neighborhoods and create a safe and welcoming environment where everyone, regardless of status, knows Boston is their home. |
| Resource | Anonymous Survey |
| Description | MOIA seeks to hear directly from Boston residents, immigrants, and refugee communities to inform its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan and shape its long-term planning. The anonymous survey is open to Boston residents, is available in 11 languages, takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and accepts responses in paper and online formats. |
1. The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition has FREE Know Your Rights trainings and multilingual downloadable resources:
- Trainings cover basic Know Your Rights information, including rights in interactions with immigration enforcement, when immigration comes to your home or stops you while driving, family preparedness, public charge, where to get legal help, and information on fraud and immigration scams.
2. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has different civil rights education and training resources:
- Immigrant-specific Know Your Rights guides.
- ACLU MA Chapter general civil rights webpage.
3. Here is a list of contact information the U.S. Department of Justice provides for legal organizations that assist immigrants.
Know Your Rights cards from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center can be shared with community members.
The artwork for printing your own cards is available below. These are formatted as standard 3.5” by 2” business cards. Translated versions are designed to support immigrants in translating their rights with immigration officers.
- Any print or copy shop should be able to work from these files.
- You can also print them on your printer.
- Typically, the cards are printed with rounded corners (rounding out the corners with scissors when cutting) and using durable bright paper, which allows them to be easily found in a wallet or purse and contrast well with black ink.
- Lamination is optional and best with rounded corners.
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Amharic.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Arabic
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Chinese
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - English
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Farsi.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - French
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Haitian Creole.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Hmong
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Khmer.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Korean.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Pashto.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Portuguese.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Punjabi
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Russian
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Spanish.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Tagalog.pdf
Artwork for Printing Your Own Red Cards - Tigrinya.pdf
Create a Family Emergency Preparedness Plan. This plan should include emergency phone numbers and family contact information, childcare plans, and a file of important documents, among other things.
- If your immigration document/status expires soon, consult an attorney or authorized community-based organization for guidance on the renewal process before expiration.
- Consult an immigration attorney. An attorney can help address specific concerns, including questions about your immigration status. ONLY seek guidance and advice from immigration attorneys and/or organizations with Department of Justice Accredited Representatives. To confirm if an attorney is licensed in Massachusetts, look them up on the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers.
- Continue accessing public benefits you have and qualify for (healthcare, education, transportation, etc.). Organizations that help with questions include Healthcare For All and Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.
- Get your Massachusetts driver's license. All residents can apply for one under the Work and Family Mobility Act. A driver’s license provides valid identification and helps reduce the risk of entering the criminal law system if authorities stop you.
- The RMV’s policy prohibits information-sharing with immigration authorities, and regulations from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office prohibit the RMV from providing information to immigration authorities.
- Connect with an immigrant-serving community-based organization in your neighborhood. While some shared messages may aim to divide, scare, distract, and separate us, finding support through groups and neighbors to foster community and solidarity can be constructive. A community list is linked here.
- Remain calm, read multiple news outlets, and ask for help. Remember that people sometimes spread unverified news and might have different interpretations of what is happening. Find more than one news resource and contact MOIA, community organizations, elected leaders, or legal aid organizations to understand what is happening.
- If you are an employer, understand what you can and cannot do if immigration agents come to your workplace.
- Use the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) to be connected as an individual directly to clinical mental health help 24/7. Services are free and confidential, and interpretation is available in 200+ languages. No health insurance is required. Call or text 833-773-2445.
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Still have questions? Contact:
Immigrant Advancement
-
1 City Hall Square
Room 806Boston, MA 02201-2030
