Immigration and Citizenship

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You can get free, confidential immigration and citizenship services and help with:

  • Application forms, including fee information
  • Delayed immigration cases
  • Legal issues
  • English or citizenship classes and counseling
  • Detainee locations
  • Deportation 
  • Green cards and visas
  • Asylum seeker programs
  • Temporary Protective Status (TPS)
  • Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP)
  • Other immigration status information or benefits

You can also receive referrals to community-based organizations.

Assistance is available in multiple languages. You will be helped regardless of your immigration status.

Online

Learn more about immigration and citizenship services.

Learn more about the New Americans Hotline.

By Phone

  • Agency: New York State Office for New Americans
  • Division: New Americans Hotline
  • Phone Number: (800) 566-7636
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 8 PM
  • You'll hear an automated message that will ask for your language. During business hours, you'll then be connected to an agent.

Asylum seekers who have just arrived in New York City can get free and confidential help. This help is available at the Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Provide U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement paperwork showing that you entered the U.S. Southwest Border on or after January 1, 2022,
  • Currently live in New York City,
  • Make an appointment with the Center.

Learn more on the Asylum Seeker Resources page.

You can use the Department of Homeland Security website to find a family member who is in immigration detention. Enter your family member's information on the Online Detainee Locator System.

If you need help with a deportation case, the New Americans Hotline will refer you to organizations that can provide free and confidential assistance with immigration legal issues.

  • Agency: New York State Office for New Americans
  • Division: New Americans Hotline
  • Phone Number: (800) 566-7636
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 8 PM
  • You'll hear an automated message that will ask for your language. During business hours, you'll then be connected to an agent.

You can call the City-funded, free, and safe Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Immigration Legal Support Hotline to get:

  • Answers to immigration policy questions
  • Information on how and where to find City-funded, free, and safe immigration legal help

The Hotline does not schedule legal appointments directly. The Hotline can help you find a provider that speaks your language and is geographically close to you.

If your annual household income is more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may not be eligible to receive services from certain City-funded legal service providers.

More information and assistance is available online and by phone.

Online

Visit these webpages to learn about:

You can also visit nyc.gov/KnowYourRightsto learn about what to do if a friend or family member is detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Information is available in multiple languages.

By Phone

  • Agency: Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
  • Division: MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline
  • Phone Number: (800) 354-0365
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM
  • You'll hear an automated message that will ask for your language. During business hours, you'll then be connected to an agent.

The City offers free services to immigrants through community-based organizations.  

You can get: 

  • Citizenship application assistance 
  • English as a second language classes 
  • Civics and citizenship classes
  • Counseling

Online

Get assistance from a community-based organization.

By Phone

You can call the City-funded, free, and safe MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline to get:

  • Answers to immigration policy questions
  • Information on how and where to find City-funded, free, and safe immigration legal help

Please note that the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline does not schedule people for legal appointments directly. 

  • Agency: Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
  • Division: MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline
  • Phone Number: (800) 354-0365
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM
  • You'll hear an automated message that will ask for your language. During business hours, you'll then be connected to an agent.

English Learning Program

MOIA English Learning and Support Centers are located across the city. These centers help long time and recently arrived immigrant New Yorkers learn English and get connected to city resources.

Each center also supports immigrant New Yorkers by providing:

  • Information on resources introduced in the classes
  • Making referrals to social and legal services
  • Acting as a hub for English language learning in their communities

Learn more and find free English classes.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients should speak with an attorney to see whether they should re-register for TPS.  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) urges current TPS recipients to renew as soon as possible to avoid a lapse in status.

Do not trust any business or individual that promises a Green Card or U.S. Citizenship. Only lawyers or those who have gotten permission from the U.S. Department of Justice can give legal advice or tell you whether you can apply for a renewal.

If you have questions about your individual situation, you should see a trusted immigration attorney. TPS recipients should make an appointment with a legal service provider to talk through their options.

Learn more and get updates about Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

You can call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline to learn about free and safe immigration legal services.

  • Agency: Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
  • Division: MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline
  • Phone Number: (800) 354-0365
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM
  • You'll hear an automated message that will ask for your language. During business hours, you'll then be connected to an agent.

Application Forms and Guides

You can get immigration and citizenship application forms and guidelines by phone or online. 

Internet access is available at local Libraries.

Online

Get information about immigration application forms and fees.

By Phone

You can request immigration or citizenship application forms through an automated telephone system.  You must provide a mailing address in order for the requested form to be mailed.

  • Agency: Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services Forms Request Line
  • Division: USCIS National Customer Service Center
  • Phone Number: (800) 375-5283
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 8 PM

Where to Send your Application

You can get the most current information about where to file immigration or citizenship applications by calling the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) National Customer Service Center or by going to USCIS.gov. TTY assistance is available for the deaf and hard of hearing by calling (800) 767-1833.

  • Agency: Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services Forms Request Line
  • Division: USCIS National Customer Service Center
  • Phone Number: (800) 375-5283
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 8 PM

Immigration Application Delayed

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) provides assistance when there is a long delay after you have submitted an application for citizenship, naturalization, a green card, or other immigration status or benefit.

If the delay is less than 6 months:

Call the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) National Customer Service Center.

  • Agency: Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services Forms Request Line
  • Division: USCIS National Customer Service Center
  • Phone Number: (800) 375-5283
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 8 PM

If the delay is over 6 months:

MOIA can contact USCIS for you.

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

The CUNY Citizenship Now Project provides free, high quality, and confidential citizenship and immigration law services to help immigrants on their path to U.S. citizenship.

You can get immigration assistance at CUNY Immigration Centers located at various CUNY campuses throughout New York City.

Immigration attorneys and paralegals offer confidential one-on-one consultations to assess your eligibility for legal benefits and can advise you on the most viable options available. You can also get citizenship and family immigration application assistance.

Learn more about the CUNY Citizenship Now Project and find a CUNY Immigration Center.

For more information and to speak with one of CUNY’s staff members about your case:

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