Immigration Resources
In response to the recent escalations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chicago, the deployment of the National Guard, and increasing fear and confusion in our community, the 46th Ward Office is working with community partners and all levels of government to support and care for our most impacted neighbors. Every Chicagoan deserves to live in a community free from fear and ICE has no place in our schools, apartment buildings, stores and city.
Our office is collaborating with local community based organizations, surrounding wards and city departments to connect our neighbors with resources, support and care. We have frequent check-ins with the family shelters in our ward, local schools and community based organizations directly supporting neighbors in need. Our office is also coordinating several “Know Your Rights” training sessions to distribute information and resources directly to the people who need them most. Below is a list of current trainings, volunteer and organizing opportunities around the 46th Ward and across the city.
If there are resources you’d like our office to be aware of and share on this page, please email us at info@46thward.com.
Last Updated 10/24/25
UPCOMING TRAININGS & EVENTS
The Resurrection Project - Resources & Know Your Rights Trainings
The Resurrection Project (TRP)’s Immigrant Justice team champions pro-immigrant campaigns, and delivers direct legal services for immigration related issues. Their website offers resources and actionable information to help understand and exercise your constitutional rights, create emergency preparedness plans, and protect yourself and your loved ones with confidence and dignity. More information can be found here: https://www.trpimmigrantjustice.org/kyr
TRP Know Your Rights Trainings
English - Tuesdays 2 pm CST
Spanish - Thursdays 6 pm CST
KYR - Business
Sign up here and select the specific virtual training here: https://kyr.as.me/schedule/2bca9769
Rapid Response- Weekly Training
Rapid response networks across the city observe and report ICE enforcement activity and support those who are impacted. ICIRR and Organized Communities Against Deportation (OCAD) are the main organizers of rapid response networks in the Chicago area.
Sign up for a rapid response training at bit.ly/ICIRRRRTraining.
RESOURCE GUIDES & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
This Resource Guide compiles many of the resources available on the Northside and has a number of sign up links for:
Know Your Rights Trainings (the next one will be on Oct. 20th @ 3pm)
ICIRR Website & FSN Hotline (855) 435-7693 & Court Watch
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is one of the key organizations coordinating the city-wide Family Support Network (FSN) Hotline that intakes tips about potential ICE sightings and routes them to local Migra Watch (ICE Watch) groups to confirm and document ICE activity in our neighborhoods. This Hotline can also be used to report family members and loved ones who have been kidnapped by ICE to connect them to legal and community resources. We recommend saving this number (855) 435-7693 in your phone for easy access should you see ICE in our Ward.
Court Watch Volunteer Program: Court Watch is a volunteer program founded in 2007 to observe and bear witness at detained immigrants’ hearings in Chicago. While Illinois passed legislation that banned immigrant detention within our state beginning in 2022, deportation cases are still processed in the Chicago Immigration Court nearly every weekday for immigrants - including Illinois residents who are jailed in Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, and other states. Can you volunteer a few hours a month to stand with detained immigrants? Court Watch volunteers attend as many of these hearings as possible (most hearings are currently conducted online via Webex). We partner with legal organizations and pro bono attorneys, highlighting problems we observe and cases where unrepresented detainees are in need of legal help. If you would like to volunteer for Court Watch, please email icirrcourtwatch@gmail.com.
19th District Mutual Aid Network
Formed during the New Arrival Crisis in 2023, this group distributes resources to new arrivals in our city and has a grocery store and delivery team that needs drivers to support neighbors who don't feel safe leaving their home.
Sign up as a Delivery Driver Here by joining the WhatsApp
Family Preparedness Guides
Download an information packet at bit.ly/ILFEP. We also recommend coordinating with your schools to host family preparedness trainings; you can request a training from the Resurrection Project at bit.ly/TRPTrainings
LEGAL SUPPORT
Unfortunately, many non-profit organizations and lawyers doing pro-bono work are at their capacity and have waitlists. If you are looking for a private lawyer to work with you or a loved on an an immigration case, make sure that you read this guide on how to avoid fraud.
The Resurrection Project: Fill out the form on this page to be connected with legal assistance.
National Immigrant Justice Center Detention Project: Call the NIJC Detention Project at (773) 672-6599 on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Detained immigrants call collect at (312) 583-9721 or use the pro bono platform and NIJC’s 3-digit code, 565.
Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance (MIDA): MIDA provides free legal services to eligible immigrants in detention through NIJC, TRP, the Immigration Project (TRP) and the Cook County Public Defender.
ICIRR attorney referral list (Illinois): ICIRR maintains a list of immigration attorneys in Illinois
Cook County Immigration Division: The Cook County Public Defender’s office has an immigration division. Visit their website or use the contact info below:
312-603-0636