NASW-WI Immigration Community Resource Guide
Know Your Rights Resources
A.C.L.U. “Know Your Rights” Series -https://www.aclu-wi.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights/
- Videos and articles outlining rights in scenarios when interacting with ICE and law enforcement
La Causa “Know Your Rights” Documents - https://lacausa.org/charter-school-2/know-your-rights/
- Resources, covering essential topics like interacting with law enforcement, navigating immigration challenges, and accessing community support
Milwaukee Turners “Know Your Rights” Documents - https://www.milwaukeeturners.org/know-your-rights
- Posters and folding wallet cards that cover common law enforcement interactions and your rights in those situations
Community Immigration Law Center “Know Your Rights” Documents - https://www.cilcmadison.org/resources-i-recursos-legales
- Downloadable pdfs regarding knowing your rights when interacting with law enforcement and reminders on how to protect your rights when you are at home
Immigrant Legal Resource Center “Know Your Rights” Resources - https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights
- Tools to assert and remind you of your rights such as: red cards, flyers, and solidarity signs
National Lawyers Guild “Know Your Risks” Resources - https://www.nlg.org/know-your-risks/
- Downloadable guides and trainings to help individuals know and measure risks when facing law enforcement and the legal system
Southeast Wisconsin Resources
Elmbrook Church-James Place Immigration Services (https://jamesplacewi.org/) | Brookfield, WI.
- Help completing various immigration-related forms, filings with USCIS
- Health Services
- Housing Referrals
- Referrals to other services
- Social services
Forward Latino (https://forwardlatino.org/) | Franklin, WI
- Volunteer opportunities
- Free attorney referral resources
- Free emergency immigrant family preparation toolkit
- Free power of attorney forms
- Free In-Person Immigration Training Sessions & Presentations
- Free Spanish Pastoral & Emotional Care
- Report ICE or CBP Rights Violations
Open Arms Free Clinic (https://openarmsfreeclinic.org/) | Elkhorn, WI.
- Comprehensive primary medical, dental, behavioral health, lab, and medication services at no charge for qualifying residents
Voces De La Frontera (https://vdlf.org/) | Milwaukee, WI.
- ICE-watch state-wide emergency hotline (in english and spanish): +1 (800)-427-0213
- Citizenship and english classes
- DACA resources, legal services
- Current event press releases
- Resources and workshops for immigrants and citizens to learn their rights when interacting with ICE agents
- Higher education resources
- Volunteer opportunities.
Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee (https://legalaidmke.com/) | Milwaukee, WI.
- Provides free civil legal representation to qualifying Milwaukee County residents
- Volunteer Legal Outreach Clinics
- Outreach Support Programs & Clinics
- Eviction Services
- Immigration and Civil Rights Support Services
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin (https://www.aclu-wi.org/) | Milwaukee, WI.
- Free information on knowing your rights in common scenarios
- We Have Rights videos
- Know Your Rights Community Training Program
- Know Your Rights Webinars
- Legal Assistance for people who have had their civil rights or civil liberties violated by a government entity in Wisconsin
La Causa (https://lacausa.org/) | Milwaukee, WI.
- Resource documents covering topics such as: interacting with law enforcement, navigating immigration challenges, and accessing community supports
- Crisis/Emergency Nursery/Childcare during times of crisis or high stress
- Adult and Youth Services
Milwaukee Turners (https://www.milwaukeeturners.org/know-your-rights) | Milwaukee, WI.
- Know Your Rights posters and folding wallet cards that cover common law enforcement interactions and your rights in those situations
- Free Immigrants, Refugees, and Undocumented People Training (available in both English and Spanish)
- Legal Observing: Legal Observers document law enforcement encounters with civilians to make sure that civilians’ rights are being respected. Documentation may be used in court if there are violations of the civilians’ rights, or instances of law enforcement misconduct.
- Training opportunities to become a legal observer
- Harm Reduction Resources
International Institute of Wisconsin-Immigration and Citizenship Services (https://iiwisconsin.org/) | Milwaukee, WI.
- Legal Services: Help with Green Card applications, Citizenship process, Family Petitions, Asylum applications, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), and applying Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Language and Translation Services
- Education and Training
- Community Integration Services
Catholic Charities of Milwaukee-Refugee and Immigration Services (https://risccmke.org/en/) | Milwaukee, WI.
- Legal assistance provided for cases involving: green cards, citizenship, family-based immigration, immigrant abused or abandoned children, and immigrant victims of domestic violence
- Free education and integration services
Neighborhood House of Milwaukee-International Learning Program (https://neighborhoodhousemke.org/ilp) | Milwaukee, WI.
- Classes: ESL, literacy, adult basic education and citizenship classes (tailored to the needs of refugees with little or no prior education)
- Wraparound services: In-house preschool, language support, family literacy support, and on-site benefits assistance through a partnership with Hunger Task Force
Healing Hearts of Southeast Wisconsin-Support Groups (https://www.healingheartswisconsin.org/) | Waukesha, WI.
- Provides a grief and cancer support program for children and families dealing with the loss of a loved one through death, divorce, abandonment, separation, military deployment, incarceration, and deportation.
Southwest Wisconsin Resources
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse - Immigration Services Program (https://cclse.org/immigration/) | La Crosse, WI.
- Services include assistance in the following areas: Petition for relatives, Adjustment of status, Consular processing/Waiver applications, Naturalization, Work authorization, Visa renewals, Fiancé visas, Applications for Victims of Crimes (U Visa), Applications for Victims of Domestic Violence (VAWA), Applications for certain Victims of Trafficking (T VISA), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA), Certificate of Citizenship, Replacement of green cards and employment cards, Removal of conditions.
Northeast Wisconsin Resources
Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services of Green Bay (https://catholiccharitiesgb.org/our-services/immigration-legal-services/) | Green Bay, WI.
- Immigration legal services
- Refugee support services
- Mental health counseling services
- Financial health services
- Adoption & pregnancy support services
- Information & referral services
- Resources for Individuals and Families on: Changes on immigration policies, family safety plans, important information to share with loved ones
- General Information on Post-Election and Immigration Frequently Asked Questions
- Justice For Immigrants Notifications: Get news/policy updates, calls to action/advocacy, and information on everything related to migration and the Catholic Church
- Volunteer Opportunities serving immigrants and refugees
Mendez Law Firm LLC (https://www.mendezlawgb.com/) | Green Bay and Appleton, WI
- Immigration Law and Family Law Legal Services
World Relief of Wisconsin (https://worldrelief.org/wisconsin/) | Fox Cities, Winnebago, Outagamie, Calumet County
- Refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, case management, economic and employment empowerment
- Refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, case management, economic and employment empowerment
Forward Connections-Refugee Services (https://fsc-corp.org/program/refugee-services/) | Brown, Outagamie County
- Language resources, job skills training, bus or gas vouchers, education assistance, connections to local resources, direct connections to employers
- Legal representation and assistance to those who cannot afford to hire an attorney
- Language resources, job skills training, bus or gas vouchers, education assistance, connections to local resources, direct connections to employers
Fond du Lac Law (https://www.fonddulaclaw.com/practice-areas/immigration/) | Fond du Lac, WI
- Immigration legal services
South Central Wisconsin Resources
Centro (https://www.micentro.org/) | Madison, WI.
- Youth Services
- Immigration Resources/Consultations
- General Support for Latinx and immigrants
- Peer Support
- ACA Navigator Services
- Workforce Programs
- Community Engagement services focused on creating opportunities for relationship building and healing
- Volunteer Opportunities
Community Immigration Law Center (https://www.cilcmadison.org/) | Madison, WI.
- Walk-in legal clinics
- Know-Your-Rights presentations
- Community education and outreach activities
- Brief, confidential consultations on basic legal immigration (appointments are required)
- Case assessment and legal advice
Catholic Multicultural Center (https://cmcmadison.org/) | Madison, WI.
- Immigration legal services
- ESL classes
- Food programs
- Employment support
- Spiritual care
Jewish Social Services of Madison (https://jssmadison.org/) | Madison, WI.
- Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services
Literacy Network (https://www.litnetwork.org/) | Madison, WI.
- English, Citizenship, and GED Classes
- Reading and Writing Classes
- Madison College Preparation
UW-Madison’s Immigrant Justice Center (https://law.wisc.edu/ijc/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email) | Madison, WI.
- Provides legal services to Wisconsin's under-served immigrant community.
- This may include: filing applications for humanitarian relief available to non-citizen victims of crime, persecution, and human trafficking, or defending non-citizens facing removal in Immigration Court.
Dane County Office of Immigration Affairs (https://www.danecountyhumanservices.org/Children-Youth-and-Family/Immigration-Affairs?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email) | Madison, WI.
- Initial Screening and Case management
- Family Safety Planning
- Department of Human Services U-Visa Certification
- Referrals to Immigration-Related Services
- Referrals to Basic Needs and other Community Services
- Community Outreach & Education
- Presentations about the Immigration Affairs Office
North Central Wisconsin
Portage County Legal Aid Society (https://www.wislawhelp.org/office/91/portage-county-legal-aid-society-inc) | Stevens Point, WI.
Forward Connections-Refugee Services (https://fsc-corp.org/program/refugee-services/) | Dane, Winnebago, and Marathon County
Hola! Wisconsin (https://holawisc.org/services/) | Based in Steven’s Point, covers counties throughout central Wisconsin
- Family Support: Assistance with interpretation and translation, resource navigation, job seeker support, referrals to nonprofit support
- Healthcare Assistance: Bilingual navigators, resources referrals, suicide prevention training, H2N outreach program
- Referrals to Legal Assistance: Pro-bono and low-fee legal services, immigration and naturalization support, accredited staff assistance, employment law and benefits
- Community: Community events and engagement, Folklorico group
YWCA of Rock County- Immigration and Refugee Services (https://www.ywcarockcounty.org/) | Rock County
- Services include: coordination of services, case management, language/translation services, legal advocacy, immigration information, court interpretation and referral services, advocacy for domestic violence, exploitation and victims of crime, and celebrations of cultural heritage.
Northwest Wisconsin Resources
World Relief of Wisconsin (https://worldrelief.org/wisconsin/) | Chippewa Valley
Immigration and Naturalization Services - Burnett County Government Center (https://www.burnettcountywi.gov/436/Immigration-and-Naturalization-Service-I)
Statewide and National Resources
United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) of Wisconsin (https://www.umos.org/wisconsin/) | Statewide
- Services offered vary by location
Wisconsin Immigration Law Group (https://www.wiilawgroup.com/) | (Based in Sheboygan, Services Statewide)
- Practices in the Following Areas: Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals, Citizenship & Naturalization, Removal of Conditions, K-1 Finance Visas, Estate Planning, Green Card Visas, Refugee & Asylum, Temporary Work Visas, Extreme Hardship Waiver
Refugee Welcome Collective-Wisconsin State Resources (https://refugeewelcome.org/state-resources/wisconsin/)
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (https://www.ilrc.org/) | National
- Printable resources asserting your rights such as red cards, flyers, and solidarity signs (available in multiple languages)
- Family preparedness plan resources and orientation videos for immigrant families
- “National Immigration Non-Profit Legal Services Directory”
- Resources for advocates
- Legal listservs
- Information on: Asylum, Citizenship and Naturalization, DACA, Enforcement, Immigrant Youth, Post-Conviction Relief, Public Charge, Temporary Protected Status, Census, Crimes, Detention, and more
- Law and Legal Publications
National Lawyers Guild (https://www.nlg.org/) | National
- Can call this number if you see someone taken by ICE and if the person is a legal observer. 612-444-2654
- Legal Observer Services
- Hotline Manual: Information to support organizers running legal hotlines for protests and broader social movements
- Responsive Guides
- Know Your Risks information
- Anti-Oppression Resources
Facebook Live - Supporting Immigrant Communities: A Conversation for Social Workers
Navigating ICE Presence in School and Healthcare Facilities
- Information regarding rights and responsibilities while interacting with ICE agents in and around schools and healthcare facilities
- Other considerations for social workers supporting immigrant communities
- Additional relevant resources