Help a Neighbor: Immigration

If you believe you are witnessing ICE activity, report it at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) 24-Hour Family Support Hotline: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693).

• The hotline helps rapid response teams track and verify ICE sightings across Illinois and northwest Indiana.
• Please be cautious about sharing unverified sightings on social media to avoid panic.
• Help avoid spreading rumors by taking detailed notes on what you observe and calling the hotline instead.
• Save 1-855-435-7693 on your phone and share it widely!

Build an inclusive rapid response team with the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) toolkit.

• A plan of action for communities to support and guide people during and after a raid, as well as a how-to guide and a model notebook.
• Help empower your community by organizing and staying informed.
• Based on best practices and lessons learned from communities conducting rapid responses during ICE raids and arrests.

#DisappearedInAmerica is a campaign of immigrant rights, faith, rule of law and pro-democracy organizations.

This growing coalition is mobilizing members–online and in person–to shine a light on a disturbing reality: Under Trump’s immigration agenda, people are being forcibly detained, deported and even disappeared. 

Unite to demand transparency, accountability and due process for all.

• Use their social media toolkit to amplify stories and raise public pressure.
• Stay tuned for updates about their upcoming National Day of Action on June 26.

Show you're an ally for our immigrant neighbors by hanging ICNW flyers in your front window, office/business, or ask a favorite restaurant or store to hang one up.

• Go to the site to get half- or full-page options.
• Do you want a flyer in other languages? Do you speak other languages and want to help translate our materials? If so, reach out to us at storytelling@indivisiblechicagonw.org.

Volunteer to canvass or make maps for ICNW's Know Your Rights campaign. We're partnering with local alderpeople to help protect our immigrant neighbors.

We will visit businesses across the Northwest Side to ensure they know how they can protect their employees and drop off resources to share with their staff. Training and support will be provided. We have already covered several wards on the Northwest Side!

Donations to immigrant families have always been a way to help newcomers establish a household on the Northwest Side. These days, with worries about ICE raids making many immigrants scared to get out to shop or work, they're more important than ever.

• Refugee One: Links to donate basic necessities, baby supplies, hygiene items, furniture, seasonal clothes, wish lists to ensure refugee children at summer camp have what they need and other items for a "free store"
• World Relief - Chicagoland: Links to donate new and gently used items (like furniture, clothing, welcome kit items, bikes, strollers, used cars, etc.), purchase items off an Amazon Wishlist, or provide gift cards to families.
• City of Chicago's New Arrivals Page: Links to donate clothing and other essentials through a list of partner organizations.

Order from Amazon Wish Lists:

• Chicago Refugee Coalition's Migrant Relief Drive Wishlist is here. (501(c)3 non-profit organization).

Refugee Community Connection (RCC) is an all-volunteer mutual aid organization.

• RCC needs volunteers to work directly with one of their registered refugee families (coordinating donations and delivery, or providing transportation to an RCC-free store).
• You can even help online as you tap into the vast RCC Network. Your participation does not require money or donations. 

The Chicago Refugee Coalition provides volunteers with comprehensive training and support to ensure you feel confident and prepared in your role.

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Assisting in the Resource Center: Help CRC keep its space well-stocked and organized and ensure operations maintain the highest standards of dignity and excellence. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• ESL Tutoring: Provide refugees and asylum seekers with one-on-one tutoring sessions or group classes to improve their English language skills.
• Employment Assistance: Assist refugees and asylum seekers with job search strategies, resume writing and interview skills.
• Event Planning: Help plan and execute events, such as fundraising campaigns or cultural events, to raise awareness and support for CRC's cause.
• Advocacy: Join CRC's advocacy efforts by helping to educate the public and advocate for supportive policies.

The Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants (ICDI) offers several ways to support migrants' journeys towards a better future.

• Welcoming Team at the Greyhound Station: Volunteers warmly greet migrants, distribute essential items such as food, water and clothing, and help navigate transportation and other information and resources.
• Essentials Team at ICDI's Warehouses: Volunteers can help sort and organize donated items in ICDI's inventory at our Elmhurst or downtown Chicago operations. Your efforts will ensure that donations are efficiently distributed to those in need.

Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD) is a group of undocumented, unapologetic and unafraid organizers building a resistance movement against deportations and the criminalization of immigrants and people of color in Chicago and surrounding areas.

• Sponsor a Case: Help OCAD fight deportation cases like Genoveva, Mohamed and Wilmer.
• Support a Campaign: Every signature, share or action represents everyone’s ability to get involved.
• Attend a Local Event: OCAD hosts community assemblies every two weeks and organizes ongoing events for its community members.
• Host a Workshop: Collective analysis and strategy help OCAD understand how oppression impacts different community members. You can host a workshop in your community.
• Volunteer Your Skills: Every case or campaign requires a different set of eyes, expertise and influence. If you’re an organizer, advocate, lawyer or translator in or near Chicago, please consider volunteering your time.

The mission of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) is to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.

AAJC has a host of ways to help, including:

• Links to contact your elected officials to urge them to prioritize family immigration
• Grassroots organizing around immigration in our community

CAIR Chicago works to attain equal opportunity for, and normalize the image of, Muslims in America through defending civil rights, fighting bigotry and promoting tolerance.

CAIR offers volunteer opportunities for people of any background and skill set. While it works to challenge and fight manifestations of anti-Muslimism, it is not a religious organization and welcomes people from all backgrounds and identities.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is dedicated to promoting immigrants' and refugees' rights to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social and political life of our diverse society.

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Voter Registration at Oath Ceremonies: Help newly sworn-in U.S. citizens fill out a motor voter registration form after their oath ceremony. (Contact: volunteer@icirr.org)
• Calls to Action: Ways to protect and expand immigrant rights at the local, state, and federal level:
• • Receive updates on opportunities to get involved with efforts to preserve DACA
  • Tell your Representatives: Commit to protecting immigrant communities
  • Ask your state legislators to continue pushing for new revenue and essential programs
  • Receive updates on opportunities to get involved with efforts to expand immigrant healthcare access in IL