How to use this site

WELCOME!

*Update August 6, 2022 – Please note that this site is no longer being updated, and verify all information before using it.

This site is designed to provide high quality, relevant, reliable, and timely resources for persons assisting immigrant, refugee, and displaced persons populations and for the members of those populations themselves. We have broke out the contents into sections about Advocacy, Employment, Government Agencies, Health, Legal Aid, Libraries, and Youth and Family. There are also breakouts based on geographic location. You can also search the site and we have used metadata tags to cross reference everything as much as possible.

Please browse around and find the resources that are best for you and your populations.

Refugee Services of Texas

https://www.rstx.org

Five service centers offer programs uniquely designed to assist refugees, asylees, survivors of human trafficking, and other vulnerable populations, helping them to become self-sufficient as quickly as possible. Center programs are also tailored to meet the needs of the host communities as they welcome these new neighbors, including resettlement services, economic empowerment, English language programs, immigration and legal services, survivors of trafficking empowerment, community wellness, medical case management, social adjustment services. Programs for minors include unaccompanied children, refugee youth program, and Central American minors. Site includes information and resources for unaccompanied minors. RST employs the use of a refugee management system to proactively meet the needs of its clients. Locations in Amarillo, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.

Libraries and Resources for Temporary Protected Status Holders

By Johana Orellana

The Secretary of Homeland Security designates Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to countries based on conditions in that  country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.  

TPS was established by Congress in the Immigration Act of 1990. Foreign nationals with TPS protections are generally able to obtain work authorization and a driver’s license, but the TPS designation is subject to U.S. government review and can only be extended for up to 18 months. Salvadorans are by far the largest group of TPS holders. There is ongoing debate about whether migrants who have been living in the United States for long periods of time with TPS should receive a pathway to legal permanent resident (LPR) status.

The following countries were designated with TPS set to expire in 2019, except for Honduras, which is set to expire in July 2018. The figures included are the number of individuals with TPS, as of October 2017: Salvadorians (262,528), Haitians (58,557), Honduras (86,031), and Nicaraguans (5,306).

Why is this important to libraries? Libraries provide access to all members of our communities, not matter their gender, race, status, or human condition. The Core Values of Librarianship states,  “We value our nation’s diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by providing a full spectrum of resources and services to the communities we serve.” With this in mind, many communities will be affected by the termination of TPS to previously designated countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, and Nicaragua. Particularly large cities like Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York, Houston, etc., where many TPS holders reside. In particular, the 273,000 children who are U.S. citizens, but whose parents are TPS holders. The following are some ways that libraries can help families affected by the termination of TPS.  

One agency that librarians should be aware of is local Salvadorian, Haitian, Honduran, and Nicaraguan consulates. Patrons may need to go to their consulates to obtain birth certificates or other official documents. Librarians should know and provide patrons with consulate contact information. Consulates may not be able to help answer specific questions regarding the TPS application process. However, if you notice an increase in referrals or questions about consulates reach out to the individual consulate to prepare the agency to help their citizens.

Libraries can also refer patrons to CARECEN, the Central American Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that offers low-cost immigration legal services, community education programs, and advocacy and organizing to achieve fair and more inclusive immigration, education, and labor laws and policies in Los Angeles and the rest of the nation.

Librarians should refer patrons to USCIS approved list of DOJ-accredited representatives and organizations.

Librarians can order or print and supply Know Your Rights Cards in multiple languages to community members affected.

Librarians should use TPS fact sheets to inform Congress Members, Representatives, and Local officials of the impact TPS holders have on the economy and our country at large.

If you are unsure about what services are available to patrons in the area, call 2-1-1, a free and confidential community information and referral service.

These resources are available to help our immigrant communities find answers. Librarians are doing amazing work in serving TPS holders at a time when there are many questions and insecurity about their futures. Keep up the great work!

Arizona Coalition for Migrant Rights Resource Guide

The Arizona Coalition for Migrant Rights is an effort by local organizations and advocates to come together in an inclusive and diverse network from across the state to work pro-actively to change the social/political climate of immigration in Arizona and to stop the anti-immigrant tide. The Resource Guide lists organizations from Arizona’s migrant rights community. Its goal is to help facilitate communication between organizations across the state working on or concerned with the rights of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers and to help community members identify local organizations to turn to, either for help or as volunteers. Information about the individual organizations has been entered by that organization and includes websites, the type of work they do and contact names with telephone numbers/email addresses.

The News section provides links to news articles and media coverage of local, state and national immigration issues.

Membership in the coalition is free (as of this listing).

http://www.migrantrights.org/resource/index.php

University of Arizona Immigrant Student Resource Center

The Immigrant Student Resource Center (ISRC) helps recruit & retain students from immigrant & refugee backgrounds. The Center provides academic, career, scholarship, & social support to currently enrolled students, including students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) work permits, undocumented students, students with mixed-immigration status families, and students from refugee backgrounds. The center also trains university staff, faculty, and administrators on how to work more effectively with students from immigrant and refugee backgrounds.
The website provides links to scholarships & resources for DACA & undocumented Students; health and wellness information and general resources for refugees, DACA students and citizenship information.
Hours are Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm.

http://eao.arizona.edu/isrc/immigrant-student-resource-center

Brooklyn Public Library Outreach Services Program – Immigrant Programs

Programs in multiple languages for immigrants include the Immigrant Justice Corps (free and low-cost legal services), cultural programs, citizenship preparation, job and career help, adult literacy classes, and English conversation groups. Serves the Brooklyn, New York area, but programs are free and open to the public. Branch hours and contact information available on the website.

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/learn/immigrants

The Dream Act, DACA, and Other Policies Designed to Protect Dreamers

Provides the history of DACA and the Dream Act. Also contains a brief overview of state laws regarding undocumented minor immigrants and a list of states where undocumented immigrants are eligible for in-state college tuition. A section for attorneys has substantial information with Practice Advisories, Amicus Briefs, Litigation and J-1 Visas on topics such as asylum, detention, border enforcement, right to counsel, temporary protected status,waivers & relief from deportation,and other subjects.

https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/dream-act-daca-and-other-policies-designed-protect-dreamers

Freedom House

Provides free support to those seeking asylum in the U.S. and Canada. Services include housing, food, clothing, legal aid, medical care, mental health care, English as a Second Language classes, education, job training, recreation, transportation, and offsite housing after asylum is gained. Located in Detroit, MI; hours and contact information available on website.

https://www.freedomhousedetroit.org/index.php/services

Thrive: A Refugee Support Program

Provides free support for refugees in and around Western Michigan. Services include mentorship, language and citizenship classes, and assistance with the Department of Human Services, finances, education, and more. Located in Grand Rapids, MI; hours and contact information listed on website.

http://refugeesupportgr.com