Resources for Undocumented and Immigrant Students and Community Members
Last Updated: September 2018
The resources listed on this page are primarily geared to students who are foreign-born, non-H1B visa holders who may be in need of financial or legal assistance (e.g. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA; Temporary Protected Status, TPS).
UMBC Resources
Campus Life’s Mosaic
https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/themosaic
Center for Culture and Diversity
The Commons, Room 2B23
The Women’s Center
The Counseling Center
http://counseling.umbc.edu/services
The Career Center
The Division of Student Affairs
Campus Life
The Commons, Room 336
Community Resources
CASA
“We are a group of passionate, community-conscious people working to organize, advocate for, and expand opportunities for Latino and immigrant people in the state of Maryland. We do this by providing employment placement; workforce development and training; health education; citizenship and legal services; and financial, language, and literacy training to Latino and immigrant communities throughout the state.”
*Look under Contact Us to find various locations, emails, and phone numbers.
Casa Ruby
Our Immigration Services program is a unique program that meets the needs of LGBTQ immigrants from around the world. We understand the needs and constraints that have forced people to leave their countries of origin, escaping discrimination, fear, and rejection. Through this program, Casa Ruby seeks to improve living conditions and make it easier to transition to a new country.
Our mission is to create successful life stories among transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals. Our vision is to create a world where transgender, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming people pursue their dreams and achieve success in their lives without fear of discrimination, harassment, or violence due to their sexual orientation and or gender identity/gender expression.
7530 Georgia Ave NW., Washington DC 20012
(202) 355-5155
info@casaruby.com
Esperanza Center
http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/immigrants
“The Esperanza Center is a comprehensive immigrant resource center that offers hope and essential services to people who are new to the United States. Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide services and referrals, ESL education, healthcare, and low-cost immigration legal services to thousands of immigrants each year.”
430 S Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21231
(667) 600-2000
esperanzainfo@cc-md.org
Sanctuary DMV
“…A solidarity group for the DMV area that pledges to resist policy proposals to target and deport millions of undocumented immigrants and discriminate against marginalized communities including those who are black, indigenous, Muslim, latinx, and LGBTQ+.”
Facebook: @SanctuaryDMV
Informed Immigrant
https://www.informedimmigrant.com
“…A collective of nationally recognized immigrant-serving organizations, lawyers, technologists, and allies dedicated to helping the undocumented immigrant community by connecting undocumented immigrants, providers, and educators to resources.”
CNLD
http://www.latinxdisabilitycoalition.com
“The National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities (CNLD) is a volunteer organization comprised of Disabled Latinx leaders and allies from across the nation who engage in events, speaking engagements, and advocacy efforts.”
Information from Immigration Advocates Network: Nonprofit Resource Center
Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C. (Gaithersburg Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, Family-based petitions, Habeas Corpus, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals |
| Location: | 201 E. Diamond Ave., 3rd Floor, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 |
| Contact: | (301) 740-2523, http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org |
Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C. (Silver Spring Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, Family-based petitions, Habeas Corpus, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals |
| Location: | 12247 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902 |
| Contact: | (301) 942-1790, http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org |
Catholic Charities of Wilmington – Immigration and Refugee Services (Eastern Shore Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS |
| Location: | 30632 Hampden Ave, Princess Anne, MD 21853 |
| Contact: | (410) 651-9608, http://www.cdow.org/immigration.html |
Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS |
| Location: | 20 Bay St, Easton, MD 21601 |
| Contact: | (443) 786-1120, http://www.chesmrc.org |
Foreign-born Information and Referral Network, Inc. (Columbia Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) |
| Location: | 5999 Harpers Farm Rd, Suite E-200, Columbia, MD 21044 |
| Contact: | (410) 992-1923, http://www.firnonline.org |
HIAS Global Headquarters (Silver Spring)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Asylum applications, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) |
| Location: | 1300 Spring Street, Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
| Contact: | (301) 844-7248, http://www.hias.org |
International Rescue Committee (Silver Spring Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS |
| Location: | 8719 Colesville Rd, 3rd Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
| Contact: | (301) 562-8633, http://www.rescue.org |
International Rescue Committee – Baltimore Resettlement Center (Baltimore Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS |
| Location: | 3516 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224 |
| Contact: | (410) 558-3260, http://www.rescue.org |
Justice For Our Neighbors (Baltimore Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals |
| Location: | 3405 Gough Street, Baltimore, MD 21224 |
| Contact: | (301)-920-0507, http://www.dcmdjfon.org |
Justice for Our Neighbors (Gaithersburg Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) |
| Location: | 9008 Rosemont Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 |
| Contact: | (301)-920-0507, http://www.dcmdjfon.org |
Justice For Our Neighbors (Hyattsville Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals |
| Location: | 6201 Belcrest Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782 |
| Contact: | (301)-920-0507, http://www.dcmdjfon.org |
Justice For Our Neighbors (Silver Spring Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) |
| Location: | P.O. Box 3398, Silver Spring, MD 20918 |
| Contact: | (301)-920-0507, http://www.dcmdjfon.org |
Kids in Need of Defense (Baltimore Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, U visas |
| Types of legal assistance: | Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court |
| Location: | 1800 N. Charles Street, Suite 810, The Walbert Building, Baltimore, MD 21201 |
| Contact: | (443) 470-9437, http://www.supportkind.org |
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault –
Sexual Assault Legal Institute
| Areas of legal assistance: | T visas, U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS |
| Location: | P.O. Box 8782, Silver Spring, MD 20907 |
| Contact: | (301) 565-2277, http://www.mcasa.org |
Sexual Assault / Spouse Abuse Resource Center (SARC)
| Areas of legal assistance: | T visas, U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Location: | PO Box 1207, Bel Air, MD 21014 |
| Contact: | (410) 836-8430, http://www.sarc-maryland.org/about |
Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland, Inc.
| Areas of legal assistance: | Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals |
| Location: | 8519 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901 |
| Contact: | (301) 587-7217, http://spanishcommunityofmd.org |
Tahirih Justice Center (Baltimore Office)
| Areas of legal assistance: | Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Employment authorization, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions |
| Types of legal assistance: | Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) |
| Location: | 201 N Charles St., Suite 920, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
| Contact: | (410) 999-1900, http://www.tahirih.org |
Social Justice Advocacy Resources
UndocuBlack Network (UBN)
“A multigenerational network of currently and formerly undocumented Black people that fosters community, facilitates access resources and contributes to transforming the realities of our people… We are establishing a mental wellness initiative to underscore and address the trauma that our community experiences.”
The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)
A grassroots organization founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean and Asian Americans within the larger society. Our mission is to organize Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social, economic, and racial justice.
Define America
A non-profit media and culture organization that uses the power of story to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship in a changing America
Inside Out Dreamers
http://www.insideoutproject.net/en
http://www.insideoutproject.net/dreamers
“A global participatory art project that gives everyone the opportunity to share their portrait and express what they stand for. Common themes are hope, diversity, gender-based violence, and climate change.”
United We Dream
The largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation that advocates for the fair treatment of immigrant communities through campaigns and workshops on leadership and organizing.
Here To Stay
A platform in which immigrants are empowered to share their life experiences.
My Undocumented Life
“A blog with up-to-date information and resources to undocumented immigrants. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA, news on immigration policies, and much more.
Additional Resources/Scholarships
American Council on Education (ACE)
http://www.acenet.edu/Pages/Protect-Dreamers-Higher-Education-Coalition.aspx
As part of the Protect Dreamers Higher Education Coalition, it has information and resources to help students, faculty and staff advocate on behalf of dreamers.
College Advising Guide for Undocumented Students
https://www.iacac.org/undocumented
Compiled information for undocumented students, including admissions and financial aid information.
National Association of College Admission Counseling
https://www.nacacnet.org/knowledge-center/undocumented-students
College Board
https://www.nacacnet.org/knowledge-center/undocumented-students
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Provides legal trainings, educational materials, and advocacy to advance immigrant rights
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Defends and advances the rights of immigrants with low income.
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)
This civil rights organization, which has fought for the rights of the Latino community since 1968, provides several scholarships for students who want to take up the cause.
Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC)
Seeking to fill resource gaps for undocumented students and to help them reach their educational, professional, and personal goals. E4FC provides frequently updated lists of scholarships for undocumented students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Scholarship Information: Student Affairs at University of Illinois
https://oiir.illinois.edu/la-casa-cultural-latina/resources/resources-dreamers
Scholarship: Golden Door Scholars
https://www.goldendoorscholars.org
Scholarship: TheDream.US
http://www.thedream.us/scholarships
Scholarship database for Hispanic/Latino students
http://www.bestcolleges.com/financial-aid/hispanic-latino-scholarships
Pre-Health Dreamers
http://e4fc.org/prehealthdreamers.html