Staying Safe and Healthy: Essential Resources for Immigrants in Maryland
Navigating life as an immigrant in the United States can be challenging, especially with recent changes in immigration policies. We want you to know that help is here at Maryland Physicians Care. Whether you’re seeking information about your rights, legal assistance, or healthcare options, this article shares valuable information and resources to help you stay safe, healthy, and informed. Do note that these resources and tools may change at any time.
Resources to Support Immigrants in Maryland
- Immigrant Defense Project: Know Your Rights
This resource offers comprehensive resources to help individuals understand and assert their rights during encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Knowing your rights can help you respond calmly and effectively in stressful situations. Flyers, posters and booklets are available in multiple languages. - Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
ILRC trains attorneys, paralegals and community-based advocates who work with immigrants. Their staff works with grassroots immigrant organizations to promote civic engagement and social change. They have the RED CARD, Know Your Rights, in various languages that can be printed at home. As well as the Step by Step Family Preparedness Plan and Toolkit in English and Spanish. - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Immigrants’ Rights
The ACLU emphasizes that all individuals, regardless of immigration status, are protected under the U.S. Constitution. Their guide explains your rights during law enforcement encounters and when to request legal representation. Available in Arabic, Chinese, Creole, Spanish and many other languages. - Immigrants Rising Resources
Immigrants Rising offers a comprehensive collection of national resources tailored to support undocumented individuals across the United States. Their resource library includes higher education, entrepreneurship, mental health, and immigration law. - Children Thrive Action Network: Toolkit
This multilingual toolkit provides resources to help families prepare for potential deportation and reduce its impact on children. It includes legal assistance directories, emergency planning tools, mental health support, and educational resources for service providers and educators. - National Immigration Law Center
Provides a Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace to support employers during immigration-related situations in the workplace. Ensure private and public areas are clearly marked, as employers, you have the right to restrict access to private areas without a warrant.
By staying informed and connected to the right support, you can focus on what matters most: caring for yourself and your family.
Community Organizations Offering Support and Resources for Undocumented Immigrants
Your Country’s Consulate
Have the contact information for your country’s nearest consulate. Many consulates have an emergency number for cases where you need immediate assistance. Have that number written down in case ICE detains you.
- El Salvador (202) 595-7500; infoeeuu@rree.gob.sv
- Guatemala (240)-485-5050; consmaryland@minex.gob.gt
- Honduras (202) 670-9616; info@wadchn.com
- México (202) 736-1012; 1-877-776-8353; conwashington@sre.gob.mx
CASA (Multicultural Center)
Areas of legal assistance:
Adjustment of Status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
Types of legal assistance:
Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
Location:
8151 15th Ave, Langley Park, MD 20783
Contact:
(301) 431-4185, http://wearecasa.org, info@wearecasa.org
Catholic Charities of Baltimore Immigration Legal Services, Esperanza Center
Areas of legal assistance:
Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
Types of legal assistance:
Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
Location:
430 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231
Contact:
667-600-2941, http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/immigrants
Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C. (Silver Spring Office)
Areas of legal assistance:
Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
Types of legal assistance:
Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals
Location:
12247 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
Contact:
(301) 942-1790, http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org
Catholic Charities of Wilmington - Immigration and Refugee Services (Eastern Shore Office)
Areas of legal assistance:
Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Types of legal assistance:
Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS
Location:
30632 Hampden Ave, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Contact:
(410) 651-9608, http://www.cdow.org/immigration.html, immigration@ccwilm.org
Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center
Areas of legal assistance:
Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Types of legal assistance:
Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS
Location:
331 E Dover St, Easton, MD 21601
Contact:
877-772-9832, http://www.chesmrc.org, mateo@chesmrc.org
International Rescue Committee - Baltimore Resettlement Center (Baltimore Office)
Areas of legal assistance:
Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Humanitarian Parole, Naturalization/Citizenship, P1 or P2 for Afghans, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Types of legal assistance:
Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS
Location:
1900 N Howard Street, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21218
Contact:
410-327-1885 Ext 111, https://www.rescue.org/united-states/baltimore-md, Baltimore@rescue.org
Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project of the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Areas of legal assistance:
Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, Family-based petitions, Habeas Corpus, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
Location:
520 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Contact:
443-703-3054, https://probonomd.org/for-legal-help/help-for-immigrants/, cscenna@probonomd.org
Frequently Asked Questions about Immigration Support in the U.S. (FAQs)
Encountering ICE agents in public can be stressful, but knowing your rights and taking the right steps can help you navigate the situation.
- You have the right to remain silent and can refuse to answer ICE’s questions.
- You are not obligated to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with the police, immigration agents or other officials.
- You have the right to speak to a lawyer and the right to make a phone call.
- If immigration agents ask to search you, you have the right to say no. Without your consent or probably cause, agents cannot search YOU or your belongings.
- If you are over 18, carry your documentation/papers with you at all times.
- Stay calm and composed, avoiding any actions like running or resisting that could escalate the encounter. Keep your hands where police can see them.
- Politely ask if you are free to leave and walk away if not detained.
- Avoid providing false documents or signing anything you don’t understand.
- Discreetly document details about the agents and seek legal assistance afterward to review your options and protect your rights.
- To find a nonprofit near you, go to the Find Legal Help page on this site and then:
- Enter your zip code.
- Find a nonprofit near you.
- Contact them to ask if they can take your case.
- If you want a private lawyer who knows about immigration law go to the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s AILA website: AILA is a professional organization that provides resources and a directory of immigration lawyers. Visit their website at https://www.ailalawyer.com to find qualified attorneys in your area.
It is important to always carry a valid and proper ID. Some documents serve to verify your identity, while others can confirm your legal status. ICE generally recognizes different types of documents depending on the situation.
- Passport: A valid passport from your home country is widely accepted.
- Green Card: Essential for lawful permanent residents to prove immigration status.
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD): Proof of work authorization in the U.S.
- Driver’s License or State-issued ID: Commonly accepted, though requirements vary by state.
- Social Security Number (SSN): While not a standalone form of identification, it can complement other documents to verify identity and work authorization.
- Carry a RED CARD to exercise your right to remain silent in case you are stopped or interrogated by ICE or law enforcement.
Carrying proper and valid identification is important for verifying your status.
Your Country’s Consulate
Have the contact information for your country’s nearest consulate. Many consulates have an emergency number for cases where you need immediate assistance. Have that number written down in case ICE detains you.
- El Salvador (202) 595-7500; infoeeuu@rree.gob.sv
- Guatemala (240)-485-5050 consmaryland@minex.gob.gt
- Honduras (202) 670-9616 info@wadchn.com
- México (202) 736-1012; 1-877-776-8353 conwashington@sre.gob.mx
