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.
23,000
immigrants served by NYLAG immigration experts last year
6,300
children impacted by NYLAG’s immigration work
15,000
immigrants represented by NYLAG in removal proceedings and appeals, including people in detention
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.

City Limits: Mayor’s Budget Cuts to Impact Legal Services, English Classes for City’s Immigrants
Despite an increased demand in legal services with appropriate expertise for recently arrived immigrants, the city recently announced budget cuts to the Rapid Response Legal Collective—which NYLAG is a part of—for the next fiscal year. NYLAG’s Jodi Ziesemer spoke with CityLimits about the ramifications of this decision.

Yarys Lopez and NYLAG Honored as Robin Hood 2023 Heroes
Yarys Lopez, longtime NYLAG client and now Pro Se Plus Project volunteer, was recognized as one of Robin Hood’s 2023 Heroes.

NEW REPORT: How Overenforcement Robs Asylum Seekers of Their Day in Court
Thousands of asylum seekers are ordered removed and exposed to the horrors of detention and deportation due to overenforcement, through no fault of their own. In this white paper, NYLAG and Make the Road NY delve into the motions we prepared to reopen and rescind in absentia removal orders on behalf of 64 clients.