Know Your Rights Resources for Immigrant New Yorkers

Last updated March 26, 2026

As of March 23, 2026, ICE agents have been deployed to 14 US airports to assist with security operations, amid an ongoing partial government shutdown of DHS. The information below is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please call the City-funded, free, and safe MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365. 

• What to Expect at the Airport:
  • ICE is deployed to 14 airports nationwide, including LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark.  
  • Be ready for long security lines at the airport. Arrive early to ensure you can pass screening in time for your flight.  
• Bring physical copies of important documents, including:
  • Proof of lawful status, such as a valid visa, green card, work permit, or receipt notices for any pending applications. 
  • Relevant certified copies of criminal court orders, if your case was closed. 
  • Consult with an immigration attorney about which documents are relevant to your specific situation. 
  • Your ticket/boarding pass.  
• Make a safety plan if you need to
  • If you have an ongoing immigration case, consider speaking with an immigration attorney before you travel or go to an airport.   
  • Keep phone numbers for a lawyer, a friend, family member, or other emergency contact on your person. Try to memorize them or carry them with you. 
  • Share your location with a trusted friend, family member, or emergency contact.  
  • Share flight information with your trusted friend, family member, or emergency contact.  
• Special consideration for parents:
  • Families can explore designating a trusted adult to care for their children through designation or guardianship. We strongly encourage consulting with an attorney before taking these steps to understand what is right for your family. For more information, see Resources for Immigrant Parents and Caregivers.

---

MOIA's Know Your Rights Booklets

The NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs has created Know Your Rights booklets in multiple languages to share information and resources:

• What to do if ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents approach you
• What to do if your friend or family member is detained
• Sanctuary City Laws in New York City

---

---

---

For MOIA partners interested in amplifying these Know Your Rights resources, MOIA has created three QR code infographics. Each QR code infographic has been translated with a specific QR code link that opens MOIA's website in that language. Please consider printing the following to display or distribute at your sites:

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

DOWNLOAD MOIA’S KYR RESOURCES
FOR IMMIGRANT NEW YORKERS SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT HERE

Get Legal Help

All immigrant New Yorkers can access free and confidential immigration legal help in their preferred language.

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) provides the following information and services to support immigrant New Yorkers navigate the U.S. immigration system and build their lives and futures in New York.

MOIA Immigration Legal Support Centers

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs has Immigration Legal Support Centers in immigrant neighborhoods that offers New Yorkers free, safe immigration legal help. These centers are housed in community sites, public health facilities, public schools, and libraries. Services are provided in your language. Your immigration status does not matter.

Visit our webpage on MOIA Immigration Legal Support Centers to learn more about legal services.

Video: Your Rights in an Encounter with ICE

If ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents approach you, you have rights! Watch this video to learn more about ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) by watching this video.

Additional Resources

Immigrant Rights Workshops (IRW)

The City is partnering with community organizations to help currently residing and newly arrived immigrants know their basic legal rights through Immigrant Rights Workshops (IRWs).

IRWs provide immigrant New Yorkers with the tools and training necessary to navigate and access city services. IRWs cover an array of topics, including how to navigate interactions with federal immigration enforcement (ICE), avoid fraudulent legal services, access COVID-related services, and more. IRWs also help guide immigrants to free and safe immigration legal and social services.

Avoid Becoming the Victim of Immigration Fraud

"Immigration fraud" means immigration legal services-related scams that target vulnerable immigrant New Yorkers. Immigration fraud, as described here, can be by attorneys and non-attorneys. It can also be by others who engage in other fraudulent acts such as phone scams and impersonations threatening immigration consequences. Immigration fraud is widespread in immigrant communities and the consequences can be severe – for those committing fraud and their victims.

Learn more about avoiding fraud

Immigrant Caregivers & Standby Guardianship

If you are an immigrant caregiver (including a parent, a legal guardian, a legal custodian, or other relative) who is worried that you may be separated from your child because of immigration enforcement, get help to plan for the future by:

• Contacting a free and trusted legal services provider for advice and information.


• Choosing a standby guardian, also known as a "backup" caregiver, in case you are unable to take care of your child.


• Choosing an emergency contact and memorizing their phone number. This should be someone you trust, including someone like your lawyer.


• Updating emergency contact information at your child's school.

For more information about standby guardianship, please visit our Family Separation page