immigration
In the face of dehumanizing policies and rhetoric, immigrant communities stand strong. We stand with them.
Immigrants are our neighbors, our friends, and our family. Right now, the stakes in our immigration system could not be higher—access to health care, employment, education, and even the right to stay in the U.S. with family and community are uncertain. Yet immigrants, including children, are not guaranteed a lawyer to help with these complex immigration matters.
38,200
immigrants served by NYLAG immigration experts last year
10,939
children affected by our immigration work
Services
NYLAG’s lawyers are on the front lines, standing alongside immigrants as they fight tough legal battles.
Our lawyers can help in the following ways:
- Defending immigrants in removal proceedings
- Representing immigrants seeking asylum
- Working to secure green cards based on family status or humanitarian relief
- Helping immigrants secure citizenship
- Working in hospitals and other community sites to ensure access to health care and public benefits for immigrants
- Providing free community clinics and Know Your Rights workshops
- Working with survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking
Need free legal services or financial counseling?
Help us provide free legal help to immigrant families and individuals.
NYLAG is part of the solution for immigrant families from countries worldwide.
Testimony: Recently- Arrived Migrants and Asylum-Seekers Need Stronger Resources and Services.
Amidst a recent influx, migrants and asylum-seekers are suffering because New York’s legal and shelter system are unprepared to serve them. NYLAG’s Jodi Ziesemer testified to the NYC Council Committee on Immigration, advocating for improved resources and services for newly arrived asylum-seekers.
Newly Arrived Migrants Battle Dysfunction and a Dearth of Lawyers in New York’s Immigration Courts
Recently-arrived migrants seeking to apply for asylum are being met with an overwhelmed legal system. “This is a large need that is unfunded completely,” said NYLAG’s Jodi Ziesemer, who spoke with Documented about the issue.
N.Y.C.’s Social Services Chief Said to Face Inquiry Over Shelter Failure
New York City’s social services commissioner is being investigated over his handling of cases where homeless families had to stay overnight at a Bronx intake office while applying for shelter in July 2022. In a testimony to the City Council cited in this piece, a lawyer for NYLAG shared the experiences of two of her clients who stayed overnight at the office.
