LEGAL SERVICES
Immigration Law
ActionNYC
ActionNYC is for every immigrant New Yorker. It offers free, safe immigration legal help.
The ActionNYC network is made up of trusted community organizations and attorneys who
help immigrant New Yorkers learn about their legal options and apply for the immigration
benefits for which they qualify. ActionNYC provides the services that immigrants need in
the communities that they call home and in the languages that they speak.
You must make an appointment to receive services.
To make an appointment, call 1-800-354-0365, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM, or call 311 and say “ActionNYC.”
NYCitizenship
NYCitizenship provides free legal help with citizenship applications and financial counseling
at select public library branches. As part of NYCitizenship, you can:
• Meet with a free, trusted lawyer
• Apply for citizenship
• Find out if you can apply for free
• Get free, confidential financial counseling
Services are available by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 311 and say
“citizenship appointment” or call (212) 514-4277.
New York State New Americans Hotline
The New York State New Americans Hotline is a resource for non-citizens throughout New
York State, providing free, multilingual, confidential, and reliable information on immigration
benefits and available services, as well as referrals to non-profit immigration legal services
providers.
Contact (800) 566-7636, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM with service
in 200 languages.
New York City Bar Association
The City Bar’s Legal Referral Service (LRS) provides referrals to screened and qualified lawyers
for a wide variety of legal matters, including immigration representation. To discuss your
legal question with an attorney referral counselor, call (212) 626-7373 (English) or (212)
626-7374 (Spanish).
Private Immigration Legal Providers
Unlike criminal courts, immigration courts do not provide an attorney for individuals who
are unable to afford one.
Click here to find a private immigration lawyer through the American Immigration
Lawyers Association (AILA), the national association of attorneys who practice and teach
immigration law.
Immigration Services Fraud
Immigrants should beware of fraudulent or unlicensed immigration service providers who
promise help but instead seek to take advantage of their customers. Immigrants should
seek legal help only from a trusted, licensed attorney or accredited representative. If you
have questions about immigration fraud, call the New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636
Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM.
Assistance for Children in Detention
Catholic Charities Community Services’ team of lawyers, paralegals, and caseworkers provide
crucial legal and support services to children age seven to seventeen while they are detained
in temporary, federal shelter care and are awaiting reunification with a relative or transfer
to foster care. Case managers provide follow-up support to help children transition out of
shelter care and offer young girls and mothers a short education program on recognizing
gender violence and abuse. For more information, call the Legal Orientation for Parents
and Custodians (LOPC) Children’s Call Center at (888) 996-3848, or the New York State New
Americans Hotline at (800) 566-7636.
Assistance for Adults in Detention
The Legal Aid Society’s Immigration Law Unit’s Detention Hotline is at (212) 577-3456.
Non-citizen New Yorkers detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the
Bergen, Monmouth, Hudson and Sussex County jails in New Jersey, or their family members
may call for advice and possible legal representation. Immigrants detained at other
immigration detention facilities and in upstate New York prisons or their family members can
call the hotline for advice only. The hotline operates on Wednesdays from 1 PM to 5 PM.
Collect calls from detention facilities and prisons are accepted.
“Know-Your-Rights” Information
Hotlines:
The Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC) Call Center provides general
information and schedules appointments for live legal presentations about court, resources,
and rights for any caregiver or unaccompanied child in the United States. Call (888) 996-3848,
Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.
Live presentations:
Catholic Charities Community Services staff provides weekly live
Know-Your-Rights presentations at its offices for custodians and unaccompanied minors.
80 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
Tel: (888) 996-3848
Family Law
Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT)’s Family Law Information Hotline provides free
information about family law, Family Court procedure, and related matters including child
welfare and child support. Call (212) 343-1122, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM,
or click here to complete an online contact form. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.
Criminal Law
Victims of Crime
If you have been the victim of a crime, please contact the New York City Police Department.
For emergency situations call 911. For non-emergencies call the local precinct. Contact
information for each precinct can be found by clicking here.
Local police are required by law not to inquire about a witness’s or crime victim’s
immigration status.
Accused of a Crime
All individuals have a right to legal representation when facing criminal charges. Legal
counsel will be provided by the criminal court free of charge to those who cannot afford
an attorney.
Individuals facing criminal charges who can afford an attorney can call the Association of
the Bar of the City of New York Legal Referral Service for help finding a lawyer.
Call (212) 626-7373 (English) or (212) 626-7374 (Spanish).
Individuals sought by the police to arrest or question who cannot afford an attorney can
call the Legal Aid Society. An attorney will advise the individual and may accompany him or
her to the precinct. Call (212) 577-3300