ICNY

NYC faith leaders standing together in support of the newest New Yorkers

Resources to Equip Immigrant Communities

General Sanctuary Guidelines | Advocacy Opportunities | Detention & Deportation | Calendar| Know Your Rights | Volunteer Opportunities | Articles | General Social Services Resources

There are countless helpful resources available to New York City Faith Communities who are working to support the newest New Yorkers. Unfortunately, they can be hard to all track down. In order to help get the best resources into the most hands, the Interfaith Center of New York has put together this webpage to compile a curated group of great resources. Starting with our own general sanctuary guidelines, put together by ICNY’s pro-bono immigration attorney, Eugene Nam, this webpage provides resources around KYR for congregations and directly impacted individuals, upcoming events, advocacy opportunities, and more. 
 
This resource page builds off of the work of ICNY to resource faith based and community based organizations in New York City and State through our ‘Equipping Diverse Houses of Worship to Provide Shelter/Respite‘ program. This program resources, supports, and coordinates the efforts of New York’s faith communities to welcome and resettle the newest New Yorkers.
 
Interested in joining? Fill out this survey to be added to the mailing list.

General Sanctuary Guidelines

For congregations looking to take a deep dive into how their communities can be an ally to the newest New Yorkers, check out ICNY’s comprehensive Know Your Rights informative booklet, put together by ICNY’s pro-bono immigration attorney, Eugene Nam. With sections on Safety Measures, Space use, Rights, Harboring, Employment Practices, Deportation, Sanctuary Laws, and Advocacy this is a great place to start for a general overview or to dive deeper into one specific topic.

ICNY’s General Sanctuary Guidelines:

 Advocacy Opportunities

  • The New York for All Act S.2235 (Gounardes) / A3506 (Reyes) strengthens NY State’s sanctuary laws by limiting how State resources can be allocated to collaborate with federal immigration enforcement. Read more about the bill and send an email to your state representatives through the resources prepared by the New York Immigration Coalition: https://www.nyic.org/our-work/campaigns/new-york-for-all/
  • As of January 20, 2025, President Trump has rescinded the Sensitive Locations policy. This means ICE is no longer required to follow previous restrictions that limited enforcement actions in certain places, such as churches, schools, hospitals, and funerals. Visit the Center for Law and Social policy website to learn how communities can urge their Members of Congress to cosponsor the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act:
  • The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act of 2025 is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable communities. Call your Federal Representatives (find yours here) and urge them to co-sponsor this vital legislation! You can read more via the one-pager below:


Detention and Deportation

  • The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act of 2025 is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable communities. Call your Federal Representatives (find yours here) and urge them to co-sponsor this vital legislation! You can read more via the one-pager below.
  • Persons who are at imminent risk of detention and/or deportation should keep handy several phone numbers that may provide aid in an emergency, including legal support and social service referrals. Refer to the following document, provided by NYDIS and the Emergency Shelter Network, for a list Emergency numbers and additional resources if detained by ICE  https://www.nydis.org/asylum-seeker-shelter-services/

Calendar 

  • Throughout Ramadan (March 2025): Opportunity to Support Asylum Seekers – 40,000+ Ramadan Meals. Hosted by Afrikana. An urgent appeal to provide culturally appropriate meals for Suhoor and Iftar for our brothers and sisters in NYC during Ramadan. Donate here. 
  • Mondays starting March 3, 2025, at 5:30 PM: Multifaith Mondays: Moral Witness for Democracy. At Columbus Circle (Gathering at the USS Marine statue on the SW corner of Central Park) faith leaders and community members gather to stand in solidarity and bear moral witness for democracy through prayer, song, and collective presence. If your house of worship or community organization would like to host a vigil sign up to host here. 
  • March 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM: How Community Groups & Faith Leaders Can Protect Immigrant New Yorkers (Hosted by Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, NYIC, and Lower East Side Community Care Coalition). A discussion on how community groups and faith leaders can support and protect immigrant New Yorkers. Participants receive a Know Your Rights card and resources. Register here. 
  • March 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM: Lawyers Responding to Mass Deportation Without Due Process. A virtual training for attorneys with no immigration background to learn about immigration law, Know Your Rights, ethical considerations, and mass deportation procedures. The session aims to equip attorneys with the knowledge to support vulnerable communities. Click here for pricing and registration. 
  • March 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM: Film Screening: Sing Sing (Oscar-Nominated) – Screening & Panel Discussion. Watch the film “Sing Sing,” then join a panel discussion featuring Shakoure Charpentier, Divine G (founding RTA member, co-producer, and writer with an Oscar nomination), and Brent Buell (co-producer and ten-year RTA volunteer), moderated by Professor Vincent Southerland. Free event; donations accepted. Must RSVP here. 
  • March 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM: Know Your Rights: What Immigrant Allies Should Know (in English). Register here. 
  • March 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM: Latest Immigration Updates and How They Impact Us Virtual Info Session. Hosted by The New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC). This session will provide the latest updates on immigration policies and their impact on immigrant communities. Text 347-309-5789 to sign up. 
  • March 12, 2025 at 6:30 PM: Know Your Rights: What the Immigrant Community Should Know (in English) – Neighbors Link. Register here. 
  • March 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM: Know Your Rights: What the Immigrant Community Should Know (in Spanish) – Neighbors Link Register here. 
  • March 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET ET / 10:00-11:00am PT: Empowering Communities: Guidance on KYR in Schools & NILC Office Hours. A session providing Know Your Rights guidance, answering frequently asked questions, and offering live office hours for attendees. Register here. 
  • March 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM: Know Your Rights Workshop. In-person informative Know Your Rights workshop facilitated by attorney Elinor Rahmani. This session will provide attendees with information regarding their legal rights and protections, including civil rights, workplace protections, interactions with law enforcement, and family preparedness strategies. Register here. 
  • March 20, 2025 at 8:30 AM: Law, Religion, and Civil Society in Challenging Times (Hosted by New York Law School). A free public event on legal challenges for faith-based and secular nonprofits, covering tax, nonprofit, and immigration law. Register here. 
  • March 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM: The Arrivals: Special Screening & Q&A. A documentary on asylum seekers transported to NYC in 2022 and the volunteers aiding them. Followed by a Q&A with director Andrea Garbarini and Neighbors Link. Purchase tickets here. 
  • April 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT: Empowering Communities: Guidance on KYR in Health Access & NILC Office Hours. Know Your Rights guidance on healthcare access, frequently asked questions, and live office hours. Register here. 
  • April 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT: Empowering Communities: Guidance on KYR in Protected Areas & NILC Office Hours. Know Your Rights guidance on protected areas, frequently asked questions, and live office hours. Register here. 
  • May 4–11, 2025: Donate new or gently used children’s spring and summer clothing during our Children’s Clothing Drive at MMJCCM (334 Amsterdam Ave). Help families in transitional housing get what they need for the warmer months. Volunteers needed to sort for the free pop-up shop– sign up here.
  • May 5–10, 2025, 6:30–8:30 AM: Join daily interfaith vigils outside Delaney Hall Detention Facility (451 Doremus Ave) in Newark, NJ, where GEO Group has resumed ICE detentions. Clergy and allies will gather in solidarity to bear witness and demand justice. For non-impacted allies only due to proximity to ICE.
  • May 4–22, 2025: The Quaker Walk to Washington: An Interfaith Pilgrimage for Migrant Solidarity. Join Brooklyn Quakers and interfaith allies on a 300-mile walk from Queens to Washington, D.C., standing in solidarity with migrants and advocating for justice, free speech, and due process. The pilgrimage will feature rallies and events in cities along the way, culminating in a gathering at the National Mall on May 22. Learn more or get involved at quakerwalk2025.org.
  • May 13, 2025, 12:30PM: Join the fight to defend Immigrant New Yorkers at the All Hands for Immigration Justice Rally, New York State Capitol Building – 2nd Floor, Million Dollar Staircase. RSVP by May 8th here.

Know Your Rights

  • ICE agents often visit homes and businesses to locate specific individuals or gather information. It is essential for immigrants and their allies to understand their constitutional rights when approached by ICE. Below is a printable “Red Card” from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) that provides guidance in such situations. While Red Cards are no longer available for free delivery, you can print your own using the link on the ILRC website. Both the available-for-purchase and free printable Red Cards come in English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Farsi, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Amharic, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. Find them here: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas

Constitutional Rights Card (English):

  • *NYIC New York State Community Toolkit – The New York Immigration Coalition provides comprehensive resources on health, immigration policy updates, community safety, education, and more. These guides are updated monthly to equip immigrants, allies, and their families with essential information and tools. (Please note that this guide does not include updates from the 2025 Trump presidency.) The November/December 2024 edition is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Simplified Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Karen, Swahili, Urdu, and Yoruba. https://www.nyic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/English-NYS-Community-Toolkit-12.2024.pdf

  • Targeted communities are facing increased enforcement by ICE and must create a plan of action to protect themselves. The following manual, created by Make the Road New York, covers three key areas: (1) understanding your rights and preparing for ICE encounters, (2) supporting individuals and families after an ICE raid, and (3) organizing around an individual case in your community. Available in English and Spanish. https://maketheroadny.org/deportation-defense-manual/

Make The Road Deportation Defense Manual:

  • As ICE agents increasingly attempt to enter homes, businesses, and other private property (including vehicles), remember they MUST provide a judicial warrant. Administrative warrants do NOT allow ICE to enter private property. A judicial warrant, signed by a federal judge, is based on probable cause and specifies the search location and date range. Below are examples of a non-valid (administrative) warrant and a valid (judicial) warrant.

Volunteer Opportunities

Informative Articles

General Social Services Resources

  • Law Help NY helps New Yorkers understand their legal rights, access self-help resources, and find free or low-cost legal services. Get Free Legal Help at https://www.lawhelpny.org/
  • This 10-page resource aims to support service providers guiding noncitizens in accessing public benefits. The chart maps out noncitizen eligibility for a number of federal and New York State benefits, and which of those could potentially have public charge implications.https://www.nyic.org/resources-training/public-benefits-chart/

NYIC Public Benefits Chart:

All of This and More

Are you and your organization working with vulnerable populations and looking for more resources like those compiled here? If you’re in New York City or State, we encourage you to join the Interfaith Center of New York’s coalition, ‘Equipping Diverse Houses of Worship to Provide Shelter/Respite.’ Fill out this survey to be added to the mailing list.

Do you have a resource or event that you think should be added to this webpage? Send it to ICNY’s Associate Director for Migrant Outreach, Brennan Brink at his email brennan@interfaithcenter.org.