About This Page
This page provides immigration-related resources for students, including legal support, community organizations, and guidance on navigating immigration-related challenges. Many immigrant and undocumented students face barriers in accessing services, understanding their rights, and finding support, especially when resources are not clearly explained or centralized. This page is designed to make immigration resources easier to access, understand, and use.
What You’ll Find Here
- Legal support resources
- Immigration assistance programs
- Know-your-rights information
- Community and identity-based support
- Campus and NYC-based services
- Mental health and wellness support
- LGBTQ+ immigrant resources
Legal & Immigration Support
CUNY Citizenship Now!
Free immigration legal services for CUNY students and NYC residents, including:
- Green card assistance
- Citizenship applications
- DACA renewals
- Family petitions
- Legal consultations
CUNY Immigrant Student Success Center
Support for undocumented, immigrant, DACA, refugee, and international students through:
- Immigration referrals
- Academic support
- Emergency resources
- Wellness and advocacy services
Available at multiple campuses, including:
- Brooklyn College
- BMCC
- LaGuardia Community College
- Queens College
CUNY School of Law Immigrant & Refugee Rights Clinic
Provides legal advocacy, education, and support related to:
- Deportation defense
- Asylum support
- Immigrant rights education
- Public policy advocacy
Community Legal Organizations
NYC-based organizations offering:
- Free or low-cost immigration consultations
- Legal representation
- “Know Your Rights” workshops
- Language access support
Examples include:
- Make the Road New York
- The Door
- New York Legal Assistance Group
Know Your Rights
This section helps students understand:
- Rights regardless of immigration status
- Access to education and public services
- Privacy protections
- Rights during interactions with law enforcement or ICE
- Campus discrimination protections
- Housing and employment protections
Resources may include:
- New York State Education Department immigrant student guidance
- CUNY non-discrimination policies
Community & Identity-Based Support
Caribbean Equality Project
Provides support for LGBTQ+ Caribbean immigrants through:
- Peer support groups
- Community events
- Health education
- HIV/STI resources
- Advocacy and leadership programming
LGBTQ+ & Immigrant Support Spaces
This section highlights:
- Queer and trans immigrant support groups
- Peer-led healing spaces
- Cultural and identity-based organizations
- Safe spaces for undocumented LGBTQ+ students
Campus & NYC Resources
CUNY CARES
Provides assistance with:
- SNAP and Medicaid applications
- Emergency support
- Mental health referrals
- Housing and food assistance
CUNY Counseling Services
Many campuses provide free counseling and wellness support for immigrant and undocumented students, including:
- Crisis counseling
- Stress and anxiety support
- Referrals to culturally affirming providers
CUNY Food Pantry & Basic Needs Programs
Resources include:
- Campus food pantries
- Emergency grants
- Housing referrals
- Transportation assistance
- Case management support
Barriers to Access
Students may face challenges such as:
- Lack of clear information about available resources
- Fear or uncertainty related to immigration status
- Language barriers
- Limited access to legal services
- Financial insecurity
- Difficulty finding culturally affirming or LGBTQ+ inclusive support
These barriers can prevent students from seeking help even when services exist.
This website was created through the collaborative efforts of the 2026 LGBTQIA+ Health Fellows Program, an initiative founded and developed through the leadership and vision of Dr. Jan Oosting, Associate Professor, Nursing; Mateo Tebar, LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Assistant; and Anthony Sweeney, Associate Director of Student Life. Special recognition is extended to Tiya Williams, LGBTQIA+ Health Fellows Program College Assistant, for coordinating resources and supporting the website development. Additional recognition goes to Jesse Evans-Rice, Open Lab Manager, and Christina Chala, CUNY Central’s Student Inclusion Office Manager, for their guidance, support, and contributions throughout the project. Their collective dedication and commitment helped make this resource possible, and it will continue to support the community for years to come.
This project is made possible due to generous funding from the New York City Council Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual Caucus and the Office of the Mayor, and supported by The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives.
