Immigrants & Immigration

New arrivals seeking asylum have increased in Illinois. Most of them have little to no resources. Organizations in Illinois are addressing this growing population's needs. The goal is to provide essential support and services. See a list of these organizations and resources below.

Food assistance

• Chicago’s food bank: To find food in Chicago and Cook County.
• Food connections: Information about food pantries and soup kitchens throughout Illinois.

School enrollment 

• Learn how to enroll an undocumented child in a public school.

Healthcare

• Healthcare locator tool: To find a free or low-cost clinic in Illinois. Services are provided regardless of immigration or insurance status.

ID and other documentation 

• Need an ID?
  • Apply for the Chicago CityKey ID card: Optional ID for those who:
    • Reside in Chicago, and
    • Have problems getting or maintaining an ID, including people who are undocumented or experiencing homelessness.
  • Read if you qualify for a temporary driver’s license and how to apply.
• Documents taken by ICE?
  • Send an inquiry to ICE at [email protected] if:
    • You are a Venezuelan national, and
    • ICE took your documents at detention.
• Need to request your immigration records from USCIS?
  • You can make a FOIA request. Learn about the Freedom and Information Act (FOIA) requests.
• Have questions about your case?
  • Contact the ICE field office in your area. 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

• Learn how to apply for Temporary protected status (TPS).
• Read the latest information about Venezuela's temporary protected status 2023.
• See all of our TPS resources. 

Immigration application workshops for recent arrivals

To help eligible immigrants stay or work in the U.S., there are: 

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) workshop, and
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD) workshop. 

To attend a workshop, you need to:

• Be a recently arrived immigrant to Illinois,
• Currently or in the past, have:
  • Received city or state-funded rental assistance (ASERAP), or
  • Resided in a city shelter, and
• Qualify for TPS or EAD based on parole. A release from prison. It allows someone to serve time outside of prison as long as they follow certain conditions.

Fill out a screening form to determine if you are eligible to attend a workshop. Follow the steps outlined on WelcometoIL.org to register and participate.

If you are currently staying in a shelter, please speak with your shelter case manager for more help.

Government benefits 

• Learn about Government benefits available for immigrants. Note: some of these benefits may be considered in the public charge test when you apply for a green card.
• See a list of Immigrant family support organizations. They can help you obtain food support, housing, or medical care.
• Call or text (708) 320-1570 to be connected with a social worker from an Illinois Welcoming Center. They can provide you with information and connect you to services.  

Legal resources 

Note: Notaries Public are not attorneys and cannot advise you on immigration matters.

• Immigration clinics from Instituto del Progreso Latino: Services are available by appointment only. Register for an appointment or call (773) 890-0055, extension 4515.
• The Resurrection Project: Legal services for people looking to adjust their immigration status. Register for an appointment online or call 312-666-3062.
• Illinois Access to Justice Get Help: Search for immigration legal services providers in your area.
• Legal orientation videos in Spanish from the National Immigrant Justice Center.
• Read how to check in with ICE and change your address with the immigration court.