ActionNYC

ActionNYC is for every immigrant New Yorker. The program offers free, safe immigration legal help in a network of trusted community-based organizations, public health facilities, public schools, and soon libraries. Services are provided in your language. Your immigration status does not matter.

You must make an appointment to receive services. To make an appointment, call the ActionNYC Hotline at 1-800-354-0365 between 9AM to 6PM, Monday to Friday or call 311 and say "ActionNYC."

The ActionNYC Hotline provides New York City residents, regardless of immigration status, with free, comprehensive immigration legal screenings, legal representation, accurate and timely immigration-related information, and referrals to City-funded and community-based resources and support services.

ActionNYC is a partnership between the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and the City University of New York.

Legal Services

Find free, safe immigration legal help in your community. It is important to meet with an immigration attorney about your options.

ActionNYC provides the following services:

Free legal screenings to find out if you qualify for any immigration benefit
Free legal help from an experienced attorney or accredited representative for a range of cases, including:
- Citizenship
- Green card applications and renewals
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- And more!

Get Help

ActionNYC also provides referrals to City-funded and community-based resources and support services.

Avoid and Report Fraud

Visit the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs website for tips on how to avoid fraud when working with an immigration services provider.

If you have been the victim of immigration fraud, you can report a fraudulent provider by calling the New York State Office of New Americans at 1-800-566-7636. The operators will take a report of your complaint and share it with prosecuting offices in New York City. New York City residents can also call 311 to connect to the New York State New Americans Hotline.

Resources

Download the ActionNYC flyer in the following languages:

Download a postcard-sized graphic, available in 25 languages with information about ActionNYC:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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What is ActionNYC?

ActionNYC provides City-funded, free and safe immigration help to all New Yorkers across the five boroughs, where immigrant New Yorkers live and in the languages they speak. Your immigration status does not matter.

How does ActionNYC operate?

The ActionNYC model is based on three pillars: (1) outreach and marketing; (2) community navigation; and (3) legal services.

Outreach: Composed of community-based organizers, along with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs' (MOIA's) outreach team. Outreach engages traditionally underserved immigrant communities to provide information about ActionNYC services and schedule appointments.
Navigators: Based in community-based organizations. These individuals screen ActionNYC clients for eligibility for immigration relief; when applicable, provide application assistance; and connect individuals to relevant social services such as IDNYC, and Medicaid.
Legal: Composed of immigration attorneys who review the legal work conducted by the navigators; provide legal advice to clients; represent cases; and decide next steps with all cases.

All three aspects of the program are connected through technology tools.

How do I make an ActionNYC appointment?

To make an appointment, call 1-800-354-0365 between 9AM-6PM, Monday - Friday or call 311 and say "ActionNYC." You can make your appointment for the language that you speak, and you can be served in the language that you speak.

Who are ActionNYC’s community partners?

We have community partners in all five boroughs:
Below is a list of ActionNYC partners and service providers:

I am concerned about sharing information about me and my family. How do I know my information is safe?

Your information will be completely confidential and held by the organization helping you with your case. Your sensitive information will not be shared with others.

What if I can't afford legal help?

ActionNYC services are free. The de Blasio administration believes that immigrants should have access to legal justice. That is why there is no cost for you to receive immigration legal help with ActionNYC.

Can you serve immigrants who don't speak English?

Yes. ActionNYC serves immigrants in the language they are more comfortable speaking. ActionNYC's outreach, navigation, and legal service providers speak more than ten languages including: American Sign Language, Arabic, Bangla, Cantonese, English, French, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Mandarin, Nepali, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. Moreover, all ActionNYC sites have access to instantaneous telephonic interpretation in 180 languages.

What happens to immigrants who are not eligible for a change in their immigration status?

ActionNYC provides a full, comprehensive immigration legal screening for everyone served by the program. If a client served by ActionNYC is not eligible for a change in their immigration status, they can still get good immigration legal advice. And it will be free and safe.

What are the rights of immigrants and immigrant families in New York City?

Privacy - City agencies are forbidden by Executive Order 41 to ask about immigration status unless it is necessary to determine eligibility for a benefit or service. If an individual does share his or her immigration status or other confidential information with City employees, City employees may not report this to anyone, except when it is necessary for the investigation of an illegal activity,**which does not include**status as an undocumented immigrant.
Language Access - City agencies that provide direct social services are required by law to arrange for translation and interpretation in your language.
City Services - All New Yorkers have the right to access most City services, regardless of immigration status, including education, emergency food and shelter, legal services, and municipal ID.

Where can newly-arrived immigrants and refugees get help?

The following Resource and Referral Guide provides information on services available to recently arrived immigrant children and their families and caretakers, including refugees. These services include education, child and family welfare, health, legal, and other services.
Download a printable PDF version of this resource and referral guide.