Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts

All people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights. This page serves as a convenient resource for the public to learn more about their rights and services offered by the state and non-governmental organizations.

PLEASE NOTE – This guidance constitutes general information and does not constitute legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice specific to a particular situation, nor does it mention every aspect of the law that may apply to a particular situation. For specific questions, contact an attorney.

Civil Rights

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office Civil Rights Division 

Fights discrimination, works to ensure that all people are given an equal opportunity to participate in civil society, and protects individual rights of free speech and privacy. File a civil rights complaint.

Discrimination

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)

The independent state agency that enforces the Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws by investigating complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other aspects of everyday life. File a complaint of discrimination

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office 

Serves all residents of Massachusetts regardless of their immigration status and is committed to protecting immigrants in Massachusetts. Below are links to the Attorney General’s Office regarding protections for immigrant communities. Learn about protections for immigrants in Massachusetts

  • MASS Legal Help: Planning for a Family Emergency:This webpage provides information to help plan for who will care for children in the event of an unexpected situation or emergency. There are planning forms available in English, Haitian Creole, Spanish and Portuguese located under the “Forms” section of the page.
  • Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts: Learn more about the rights afforded to immigrants under state law and resources available to immigrant communities in Massachusetts. This link includes discussions regarding civil rights, worker’s rights, education rights, avoiding the unauthorized practice of immigration law, and other resources. Resources.

  • Emergency Planning for Families:Parents with uncertain immigration status may be concerned about the care and custody of their children in the event of sudden detention or deportation by federal immigration officials. The following guides have legal options to consider. The guides are currently available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
  • Guidance Regarding K-12 Schools’ Obligations to Protect Students and Their Information: This guidance describes some of the issues that might impact immigrant students in K-12 schools, and describes some of schools’ legal obligations as well as steps they can take to support students and families and maintain an environment conducive to learning for all. Resources.


The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Know Your Rights page contains information in multiple languages for the following scenarios: law enforcement asks you about your immigration status, you are stopped by ICE, ICE are at your home, you need a lawyer, you’ve been detained near the border, you’ve been stopped while in transit, you are detained while your immigration case is underway, and you’ve been arrested and need to challenge a deportation order: 

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) is the largest coalition in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. The Know Your Rights page contains Know Your Rights presentations, handouts, and pocket cards in multiple languages. The page also contains information regarding family preparedness; immigration scams; educators and service providers such as food pantries, shelters, healthcare providers; employers; and non-citizen protesters.

The ICE Detainer Locator can help people determine if their family member has been detained and where the family member is being held. In using the ICE detainee locator, it is helpful to know the individual’s date of birth, country of birth, and ‘A-Number’ (Alien Registration Number), if there is one: 

Legal Services


Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR): Immigrant Defense Hotline: 

This organization is providing timely and free legal advice for immigrants facing imminent threats related to immigration enforcement, such as immigration raids or mass deportations. The hotline will be staffed with attorneys from LCR’s staff and pro bono network. Callers who leave a message will receive a same-day response to questions about immigration enforcement and reports of immigration raids. Visit the LCR website.

You can reach the hotline via phone at 617-988-0606 or email: hotline@lawyersforcivilrights.org

Northeast Legal Aid, Inc. (NLA)

Provides free civil legal services to low income clients in Northeastern Massachusetts. Northeast Justice Center (NJC) is a subsidiary of Northeast Legal Aid. NJC provides immigration services including family-based and humanitarian-based petitions, as well as adjustment of status and naturalization, bond hearings for individuals in detention and other removal defense services for those not detained. NLA is located at 181 Union Street, Lynn, and can be contacted at 1-800-336-2262. Visit the NLA website.

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) 

The largest organization in New England promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. MIRA is located at 105 Chauncy Street, Suite 901, Boston, and can be contacted 617-350-5480. Visit the MIRA website.

The Political Asylum / Immigration Representation Project (PAIR)

The leading provider of pro bono immigration legal services to asylum-seekers and immigrants unjustly detained in Massachusetts. PAIR serves low-income asylum-seekers from across the world, unaccompanied minors, and immigrants who are unjustly detained, guiding them through the first step on the journey to becoming United States citizens. PAIR is located at 98 North Washington Street, Suite 106, Boston, and can be contacted at 617-742-9296. Visit the PAIR website

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

The preeminent U.S.-based nongovernmental organization devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children which provides attorneys to represent children at no cost. KIND is located at 11 Beacon Street, Suite 820, Boston, and can be contacted at 617-207-4138. Visit the KIND website.