Immigration Resources

Categories:: Support Advice For Nannies Safety

You can be an ally for nannies, house cleaners, and others who are dealing with immigration and deportation issues. As one PSP member shares, "I saw my house cleaner and her account of the worry, fear and uncertainty highlighted the need for employers to do what they can to help." Here are resources of people who can help and what YOU can do to help our vulnerable community.

What YOU can do:

1. Support your employee

Let your nanny/house cleaner know that you are supportive of immigrants. Being a Sanctuary Home is one way to do that, and Hand in Hand is helpful (see here). Their downloadable guide (see here) can help you engage in respectful, mindful ways. They also provide employers with a checklist (see here) of steps employers should take.

2. Become knowledgeable yourself about civil rights.

See the ACLU's guide here about what to do if questioned by police, FBI, customs agents or immigration officers.

3. Distribute Red Card information.

These cards give people some power over ICE agents:

Source: Immigrant Legal Resource Center

4. Become a sanctuary home

From Hand in Hand (more information below under "Groups that can help": "For those of us who are employers of domestic workers—among the people who have been and will be most targeted in this political moment—one big thing we can do is support the women, people of color, and/or immigrants who work in our homes. For those of us who aren’t employers or care consumers, our homes can still serve as a center of moral action, transforming where we live into a foundation for building the world as it should be."

5. Check yourself

Mental health reminder... Know that your nannies, babysitters, house cleaners and anyone else who may be having immigration issues are under a lot of stress right now. Even if their situation is not worrisome it’s likely that they know someone else who is concerned, anxious, and fearful. There is misinformation out there if you can help arm people with resources to combat the fears that would be great. If you can do anything to help, being extra appreciative and supportive, please do so.

City/ NYC Gov resources:

From mayor de Blasio: "“During these uncertain times we must remind ourselves of who we are as a city, and hold steadfast to our values. Hard work, respect and unity during times of adversity define us as New Yorkers and that will not change, no matter who is president. Our commitment to standing with and protecting our immigrant communities is stronger than ever. As always, the City of New York is prepared to defend and protect our immigrant brothers and sisters. We will never turn our back on you.”

On this page, you can download and print a quick and easy road map of city services available to all New Yorkers below:

NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). Most City of New York services are available to everyone, including undocumented immigrants. MOIA coordinates services for immigrant New Yorkers. Contact MOIA for questions regarding services for your family such as education, healthcare, child care, emergency food and shelter, public safety, immigrant legal help and protection from discrimination. 212.788.7654 during business hours, or 311 at any time. Translation available.

NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). The New York City Human Rights Law is one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation, protecting our City’s residents from discrimination. CCHR is charged with the enforcement of this law. If you experience or witness discrimination, please call 311 and ask for the Commission on Human Rights or (718) 722-3131.

NYC Department of Education (DOE). The NYC DOE is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and/or bullying and from discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, citizen-ship/immigration status, religion, creed, national origin, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or weight. The Respect for All program goal is to ensure that every NYC school provides a learning environment where all children feel safe, valued and respected. More information about the program and how to report incidents is available here.

Organizations that can help:

CAMBA

What they do: CAMBA offers integrated services and programs including economic development, education & youth development, family support, health, housing, and legal services. CAMBA’s HomeBase program provides a variety of homelessness prevention tools. CAMBA’s legal programs include housing, immigration advice and representation, foreclosure prevention and consumer. Local HomeBase contact: 718-282-0108, 2244 Church Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226. CAMBA Legal Services contact: 718-287-0010, 885 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226. CAMBA.org

New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)

What they do: NYIC advocates for better laws and policies for immigrants; seeks to build immigrant communities’ political power; and informs and trains immigrant communities about their rights on immigration law and other topics that affect immigrants. Contact: 212-627-2227, 131 W. 33^rd Street, Suite 610, NY, NY 10001. www.thenyic.org

Brooklyn Defender Services

What they do: a public defender organization that includes immigration legal services for those that cannot afford to retain an attorney. Contact: 718.254.0700, 177 Livingston Street, 7^th Fl, Brooklyn, NY 11201. bds.org

The Legal Aid Society

What they do: The Legal Aid Society is the oldest and largest not-for-profit organization in the United States providing free legal services for clients who cannot afford to pay for counsel. During 2008, with a staff of some 1,400 - including nearly 850 lawyers and 600 social workers, investigators, paralegals, and support and administrative staff - the Society handled 295,00 legal matters for clients with civil, criminal, or juvenile rights legal problems. The Society provides legal services through a network of borough, neighborhood, and courthouse offices in 25 locations in all five counties of New York City.

What they are offering right now: "The Legal Aid Society has resources, including a hotline 844-955-3425. They also have an emergency plan (see here)."

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

What they do: The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit resource center that provides immigration legal trainings, technical assistance, and educational materials, and engages in advocacy and immigrant civic engagement to advance immigrant rights

What they are offering right now: Another great family preparedness plan (see here). If appropriate: print this out, ask to keep a copy in case you can be of help in emergency situations."

Hand in Hand

What they do: Hand in Hand is a national network of employers of nannies, house cleaners and home attendants, our families and allies, who are grounded in the conviction that dignified and respectful working conditions benefit worker and employer alike.

What they are offering right now: They launching the #SanctuaryHomes campaign so you can take action and declare, "Not here, not at my doorstep." Click here to learn more and sign up to #SanctuaryHomes. Knowing where to act during this whirlwind of political action—especially if you have limited hours, small children, or limited mobility—can feel hard. What meaningful change can I make with only a few hours a week? How can I have an impact in my neighborhood? The #SanctuaryHomes campaign is real-deal local organizing, with 5 steps to guide you through symbolic and practical things you can do to support and defend immigrants and other targeted communities in your area—starting with the person who works in your home.

LawHelp.org's Resource Page

The following link provides information about groups and organization is Brooklyn specifically that can help with immigration law: http://bit.ly/ImmigrationLawHelpBrooklyn

General tips:

Here are some general tips about dealing with ICE: