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IMMIGRATION

RESOURCES FOR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS

This national immigration rights resource page provides links to Know Your Rights materials for immigrants, families, advocates, service providers and community members. The resources below contain guidance regarding interactions with police officers, airport enforcement, protests, healthcare, and emergency preparedness. These materials are intended to help the community understand their rights and prepare family safety plans in the event of an urgent situation. Regardless of your immigration status, everybody is guaranteed rights under the Constitution.

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National Resources
Airports
Preparedness
City-Specific Resources

Click for NATIONAL RESOURCES!

Stopped by Police
Encountering Law Enforcement and Troops
General Immigrants' Rights
Protesters' Rights
Healthcare
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Airport Detention

Airport Enforcement Fact Sheet
Emergency Airport Legal Aid
Toolkit and Family Safety Plan (ILRC)
ReadyNow! (HRF)
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Preparedness

Resources Specific to Host Cities

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Wage and hour violations / misclassification

 

Discrimination and/or harassment

 

Health and safety

  • Texas does not have a state level OSHA plan. Private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA. 

  • Heat Protection: There is no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

Employment rights help in Spanish 

https://espanol.equaljusticecenter.org/legal-help/

 

Employment rights:

https://www.equaljusticecenter.org/legal-help/basic-emp-rights.html

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Worker organizing

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Wage and hour violations / misclassification

 

Discrimination and/or harassment

 

Health and safety

  • Missouri does not have a state level Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plan.  Private sector workers are covered by federal OSHA rules.

  • Heat Protection

    • There is no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

 

Worker organizing

Contact a Union Organizer: https://aflcio.org/formaunion/contact 

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Florida has rapidly emerged as one of the most aggressive states in the country on immigration enforcement, driven by a major expansion of cooperation between state, local, and federal authorities. Local officers are empowered and encouraged to act as immigration agents, embedding enforcement into routine policing far beyond jails and into everyday interactions (like traffic stops and environmental patrols). 

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Unlike the militarized raids seen in cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, and Los Angeles, Florida’s crackdown has largely operated through coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities under 287(g) agreements. Florida highways and roads are the most dangerous venues for racial profiling, but even leisure activities such as fishing can lead individuals to immigration detention . This happens because Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission—an agency traditionally focused on enforcing laws related to hunting, fishing, boating safety, and environmental protection—has also been drawn into immigration enforcement duties. 

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Being a peninsula, Florida is also a border state — this means Border Patrol can have checkpoints anywhere in the state, including airports. Border Patrol have additional powers, and they may  pull vehicles over if they have reasonable suspicion of an immigration violation or a crime, and they may ask questions about individuals’ immigration status.

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Data from the Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement shows that the City of Miami Police Department is the number one municipal agency for immigration-related “encounters” and the 11th overall for all agencies doing immigration enforcement statewide. This data suggests that the police in the World Cup host city may be operating a “show me your papers” system, subjecting residents and visitors to questioning based on immigration status.

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– Florida Immigrant Coalition 

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If you are stopped while driving:

 

Cooperate but do not give unnecessary information:

  • Stop your vehicle and turn on the emergency lights. Slowly lower the window and place your hands in a visible location.

  • Show your license, registration, and proof of insurance upon an officer’s request. If you don’t have a driver’s license do not show any false documents. 

  • Do not answer any questions related to your immigration status or about your country of origin.

  • You have the right to remain silent if you choose to. You may say: “I want to exercise my right to remain silent” and “I want to speak with a lawyer.”

  • If the officer asks for permission to search your vehicle, you have the right to not consent to any search. Say: “I do not consent to any search.” The officer cannot search your vehicle without a proper warrant from a judge, unless there is reasonable suspicion.

Watch out for border patrol

 

Border Patrol checkpoints may exist within 100 miles of any U.S. border, including airports. Note that Florida shores are part of the U.S. border, and the Border Patrol can act anywhere in the state.

  • Border Patrol can pull you over if they have reasonable suspicion of an immigration violation or a crime, and they may ask questions about your immigration status.

  • They should not use race or ethnicity as a reason to stop you, so if you believe this is happening, make sure you document it.

  • Border Patrol can continue to detain you to inquire about your immigration status, but they cannot force you to speak or to sign anything.

If you need to go to the hospital

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Decline to answer immigration status questions

  • Recent Florida law requires most hospitals and ERs to ask your immigration status; you’re NOT required to answer this question 

  • Hospitals and ERs should NOT report your personal information to immigration authorities.

Receive the care you need

  • Everyone has the right to seek emergency care, regardless of immigration status

  • You do not need to share any information about your immigration status, unless you apply for Medicaid, Emergency Medicaid, or other health coverage for yourself.

 

If ICE arrests you

 

Do not sign any document

  • Agents may try to intimidate you or trick you into signing documents. 

  • DO NOT let yourself be tricked. You may be signing away your right to a hearing before an immigration judge!

  • Ask to talk to an immigration lawyer and only sign documents after receiving appropriate counsel.

 

Develop an emergency plan with your family

  • Create a family preparedness plan so you have important documents and contacts handy if you need them.

  • Memorize the phone number of an emergency contact. You can also carry a physical card or paper with your loved one’s phone number with you so you can contact them if needed.

  • Find out who arrested you (Police Department, FBI, ICE), write down agents’ identification number, and license plate number.

  • Contact your attorney and your consulate as soon as possible.

  • Ask for bond, as well as for a “Notice to Appear”

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Hotline: FLIC

  • Hotline number: 1.888.600.5762

 

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Wage and hour violations/misclassification

  • dol.ny.gov (search “labor standards”) | 888-469-7365

  • Prevailing Wages 

    • Contractors must meet higher minimum pay and benefits requirements for workers under certain public work contracts and certain private projects receiving public funding or tax benefits 

    • NYC Comptroller

  • You can file a complaint with the New York City Comptroller’s Office by filling out an online complaint form.

  • Paid Family Leave

    • Your employer must provide up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid time off.

    • New York State Paid Family Leave

  • Family and Medical Leave Act

    • Employers with 50 or more employees must provide eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid family and medical leave

    • U.S. Department of Labor

  • Workers Compensation and Disability Benefits

    • New York State Workers’ Compensation Board

 

Discrimination and/or harassment

 

Health and safety

  • New Jersey has a state level OSHA plan that covers only public sector workers, private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA

  • New York has a state level OSHA plan that covers only public sector workers, private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA

  • Heat Protection

    • New Jersey has no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

    • New York has no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

  • Health Insurance

 

Worker organizing

  • New Jersey 

  • New York 

    • National Relations Board

    • New York City Central Labor Council: https://nycclc.org/

      • The New York City Central Labor Council (NYCCLC) is a non-profit labor membership organization devoted to supporting, advancing and advocating for the working people of New York City. As the nation's largest regional labor federation, the NYCCLC brings together 300 local unions from every trade, occupation, public and private sector of the New York economy. We represent more than 1 million workers, including teachers, truck drivers, operating engineers, nurses, construction workers, hospitality workers, electricians, firefighters, retail workers, janitors, train operators, bakers, and many more who are the backbone of today’s workforce.

      • Contact: info@nycclc.org | (212) 604-9552

      • A resource for union members and organizers: https://toolsfororganizers.org/

    • New York State AFL-CIO: https://nysaflcio.org/

      • The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout the state, representing 2.5 million members, retirees and their families. Working with our affiliates, area labor federations, central labor councils, and community allies, we fight to improve the lives and working conditions of all hard working New Yorkers.  Through grassroots advocacy, political and legislative action, policy analysis, and coordinated communications, the New York State AFL-CIO is a force for progressive change.

      • New York City Office

  • 50 Broadway, 35th Floor
    New York, NY 10004
    Phone: 212-777-6040
    Fax: 212-777-8422

  • Albany Office
    100 South Swan Street
    Albany, NY 12210
    Phone:  518-436-8516
    Fax: 518-436-8470

Wage and hour violations / misclassification

  • dol.ny.gov (search “labor standards”) | 888-469-7365

  • Prevailing Wages 

    • Contractors must meet higher minimum pay and benefits requirements for workers under certain public work contracts and certain private projects receiving public funding or tax benefits 

    • NYC Comptroller

  • You can file a complaint with the New York City Comptroller’s Office by filling out an online complaint form.

  • Paid Family Leave

    • Your employer must provide up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid time off.

    • New York State Paid Family Leave

  • Family and Medical Leave Act

    • Employers with 50 or more employees must provide eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid family and medical leave

    • U.S. Department of Labor

  • Workers Compensation and Disability Benefits

    • New York State Workers’ Compensation Board

 

Discrimination and/or harassment

 

Health and safety

  • New Jersey has a state level OSHA plan that covers only public sector workers, private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA

  • New York has a state level OSHA plan that covers only public sector workers, private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA

  • Heat Protection

    • New Jersey has no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

    • New York has no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

  • Health Insurance

 

Worker organizing

  • New Jersey 

  • New York 

    • National Relations Board

    • New York City Central Labor Council: https://nycclc.org/

      • The New York City Central Labor Council (NYCCLC) is a non-profit labor membership organization devoted to supporting, advancing and advocating for the working people of New York City. As the nation's largest regional labor federation, the NYCCLC brings together 300 local unions from every trade, occupation, public and private sector of the New York economy. We represent more than 1 million workers, including teachers, truck drivers, operating engineers, nurses, construction workers, hospitality workers, electricians, firefighters, retail workers, janitors, train operators, bakers, and many more who are the backbone of today’s workforce.

      • Contact: info@nycclc.org | (212) 604-9552

      • A resource for union members and organizers: https://toolsfororganizers.org/

    • New York State AFL-CIO: https://nysaflcio.org/

      • The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout the state, representing 2.5 million members, retirees and their families. Working with our affiliates, area labor federations, central labor councils, and community allies, we fight to improve the lives and working conditions of all hard working New Yorkers.  Through grassroots advocacy, political and legislative action, policy analysis, and coordinated communications, the New York State AFL-CIO is a force for progressive change.

      • New York City Office

  • 50 Broadway, 35th Floor
    New York, NY 10004
    Phone: 212-777-6040
    Fax: 212-777-8422

  • Albany Office

100 South Swan Street
Albany, NY 12210
Phone:  518-436-8516
Fax: 518-436-8470

See generally: https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-labor/ 

 

Wage and hour violations/misclassification

 

Discrimination and/or harassment

 

Health and safety

  • Pennsylvania does not have a state level Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plan.  Private sector workers are covered by federal OSHA rules.

  • PhilaPOSH is an organization made up of unions, health, and legal professionals working together since 1975 for a safe and protected workplace as well as for the rights of injured workers. Organized in 1975, the Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health  (PhilaPOSH) was the second organization formed in the United States that focused on health and safety issues faced by workers and their unions.

  • Over the past 45 years, they have provided assistance to hundreds of unions and thousands of workers, both union and non-union.  They offer trainings on a wide range of topics related to worker health and safety, including OSHA 10 Hour, OSHA 30 Hour, and OSHA Fall Prevention trainings.

  • Heat Protection

    • Pennsylvania has no state-mandated occupational heat protections.

 

Worker organizing

  • Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO: https://philaflcio.org/ 

    • The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO builds worker power across the city by building and supporting a strong network of local unions. They can help you get connected to local unions, coalitional partners, and in forming your own union!  

Connect with a union organizer: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/organize-a-union-today 

Wage and hour violations / misclassification

 

Reporting Violations and Learning Your Rights At Work:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) protects workers from unpaid wages, missing meal and rest breaks, and child labor violations caused by unlawful business practices. You can file a claim using this link.

 

Seattle Office of Labor Standards investigates claims to enforce Seattle ordinances. You can file a complaint, call (206) 256-5297 with interpretation services, or visit their office:

 

810 3rd Avenue, Suite 375
Seattle, WA 98104-1627
Hours: Monday thru Friday 9am to 4pm 

 

For more information about your rights as a worker in Seattle or broader Washington, visit Fair Work Center, a non profit organization that supports workers across different industries. You can reach them at help@fairworkcenter.org. 

 

Discrimination and/or harassment

 

Reporting Discrimination:
If you think you have experienced discrimination or harassment please contact the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) at (206) 684-4500, email them at discrimination@seattle.gov or visit the SOCR website by clicking here.


 

Health and safety

  • The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries administers a Washington State Division of Occupational Safety and Health Plan (WADOSH). https://www.lni.wa.gov/safety-health/. WADOSH covers both public and private sector workers. 

  • Heat Protection

    • WA has an outdoor heat standard, including requirements for: Temperature trigger of 80°F, water, rest, shade, training, paid rest break, and acclimation requirements. 

  • If further treatment is necessary after getting first aid from your employer, go to the emergency room or health-care provider of your choice and tell them you were injured at work. This page  from Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) helps you know what to expect from your provider and how to tell your employer. If the employer is self-insured, you might need to file a claim here.

 

Worker organizing

  • Reach out to an organizer about forming a union at your workplace here. MLK Labor is a central labor council in King County representing over 150 unions and upwards of 200,000 union workers. 

 

Additional Resources

Visit the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) to find out about services available for immigrants and refugees. Click here for the OIRA resource page. 

Health and safety

  • New Jersey has a state level OSHA plan that covers only public sector workers, private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA

  • New York has a state level OSHA plan that covers only public sector workers, private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA

  • Heat Protection

    • New Jersey has no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

    • New York has no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

  • Health Insurance

 

Worker organizing

  • New Jersey 

  • New York 

    • National Relations Board

    • New York City Central Labor Council: https://nycclc.org/

      • The New York City Central Labor Council (NYCCLC) is a non-profit labor membership organization devoted to supporting, advancing and advocating for the working people of New York City. As the nation's largest regional labor federation, the NYCCLC brings together 300 local unions from every trade, occupation, public and private sector of the New York economy. We represent more than 1 million workers, including teachers, truck drivers, operating engineers, nurses, construction workers, hospitality workers, electricians, firefighters, retail workers, janitors, train operators, bakers, and many more who are the backbone of today’s workforce.

      • Contact: info@nycclc.org | (212) 604-9552

      • A resource for union members and organizers: https://toolsfororganizers.org/

    • New York State AFL-CIO: https://nysaflcio.org/

      • The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout the state, representing 2.5 million members, retirees and their families. Working with our affiliates, area labor federations, central labor councils, and community allies, we fight to improve the lives and working conditions of all hard working New Yorkers.  Through grassroots advocacy, political and legislative action, policy analysis, and coordinated communications, the New York State AFL-CIO is a force for progressive change.

      • New York City Office

      • 50 Broadway, 35th Floor
        New York, NY 10004
        Phone: 212-777-6040
        Fax: 212-777-8422

      • Albany Office
        100 South Swan Street
        Albany, NY 12210
        Phone:  518-436-8516
        Fax: 518-436-8470

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Health and safety

  • New Jersey has a state level OSHA plan that covers only public sector workers, private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA

  • New York has a state level OSHA plan that covers only public sector workers, private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA

  • Heat Protection

    • New Jersey has no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

    • New York has no state-mandated occupational heat protection.

  • Health Insurance

 

Worker organizing

  • New Jersey 

  • New York 

    • National Relations Board

    • New York City Central Labor Council: https://nycclc.org/

      • The New York City Central Labor Council (NYCCLC) is a non-profit labor membership organization devoted to supporting, advancing and advocating for the working people of New York City. As the nation's largest regional labor federation, the NYCCLC brings together 300 local unions from every trade, occupation, public and private sector of the New York economy. We represent more than 1 million workers, including teachers, truck drivers, operating engineers, nurses, construction workers, hospitality workers, electricians, firefighters, retail workers, janitors, train operators, bakers, and many more who are the backbone of today’s workforce.

      • Contact: info@nycclc.org | (212) 604-9552

      • A resource for union members and organizers: https://toolsfororganizers.org/

    • New York State AFL-CIO: https://nysaflcio.org/

      • The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout the state, representing 2.5 million members, retirees and their families. Working with our affiliates, area labor federations, central labor councils, and community allies, we fight to improve the lives and working conditions of all hard working New Yorkers.  Through grassroots advocacy, political and legislative action, policy analysis, and coordinated communications, the New York State AFL-CIO is a force for progressive change.

      • New York City Office

      • 50 Broadway, 35th Floor
        New York, NY 10004
        Phone: 212-777-6040
        Fax: 212-777-8422

      • Albany Office
        100 South Swan Street
        Albany, NY 12210
        Phone:  518-436-8516
        Fax: 518-436-8470

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