Immigrant Community Resources
Updated 11-22-23
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights partners with over 60 nonprofit organizations that provide services throughout Illinois.
To connect with organizations for resources, please see the topics and links below.
The ICIRR Family Support Network connects immigrant communities throughout Illinois to a full range of support - social services, legal aid, policy updates, financial assistance, and law enforcement - in collaboration with member organizations.
Organizations on this list can assist in multiple languages with Public Benefits, State Resource Centers, Food Pantries, Emergency Assistance, Financial Assistance, Housing, Utilities, and more.
Resources for Ukrainian Arrivals
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Ukrainian Arrivals Hotline (1-833-242-3842): Offers FREE Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish interpretation services.
Resources for Afghan Arrivals
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Afghan Arrivals Hotline (1-855-685-2998): Dari and Pashto interpreters are available.
1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY
(1-855-435-7693) English/Spanish/Korean/Polish
Hotline Call Options:
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Report Trust Act Violations
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Report ICE activity/Support to locate someone in ICE custody
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Connect with an immigration attorney
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
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Healthcare resources for immigrants and refugees
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Public charge updates
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Workplace rights, issues, or safety for immigrants
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Afghan Arrival Partner Contact: Muslim Women Resource Center
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Address: 2828 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL
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Phone Number: 1-773-764-1686
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Email: info@mwrcnfp.org
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Resources for Southern Border Arrivals
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If you are a recent arrival from the southern border in need of support or know someone who is, you can call ICIRR’s Family Support Hotline at 1-855-435-7693 or 3-1-1.
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Other resources for asylum seekers:
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Chicago CityKey Program: You can use the CityKey as proof of identity in the City of Chicago, including when you open a bank account, rent an apartment, and apply for government services
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Information about Victims of Trafficking, Torture and Other Serious Crimes (VTTC)
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Find here a list of nonprofit organizations that can assist you with Citizenship and DACA renewals.
Other important immigration resources:
Between Friends Chicago: Whether you're in an urgent crisis situation or healing from a past abusive relationship, you can call Between Friends Chicago on their toll-free hotline: 1-800-603-4357. Trained domestic violence staff and volunteers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on their toll-free hotline.
The Network, Advocating Against Domestic Violence: The Network is a group of 40+ organizations dedicated to advocating against domestic violence. The Network Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-877-863-6338.
IDHS Domestic Violence Victim Services: Domestic violence programs located throughout Illinois provide safety assistance to victims of domestic violence.
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IDHS Domestic Violence Helpline:
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1-877-TO END DV or 1-877-863-6338 (Voice)
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1-877-863-6339 (TTY).
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As an immigrant living in Illinois, you have certain rights when it comes to your health, regardless of your immigration status. For more information about immigrant healthcare access, visit icirr.org/healthcare-access.
If you need help accessing healthcare, call ICIRR's Family Support Hotline at 1-855-435-7693. Choose your language & follow the prompts. In the final option, press 7 for healthcare.
Other important healthcare resources:
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Find a health clinic near you here
988 Suicide & Crisis Line: This line provides accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress, including family, friends, and/or caregivers.
If you are in crisis, please call or text 988, or go to 988lifeline.org/chat to access live chat. You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor who will listen to you, provide support and get the help you need.
833-NAMI-CHI (626-4244): NAMI's Helpline is a free and confidential resource that provides a listening ear, guidance and connection to the right mental health and social service resources, over the phone (Hablamos español).
Anyone can call the Helpline, including:
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People calling for their own needs
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People who are supporting a loved one
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Providers who need resources for a client
NAMI Chicago offers support groups virtually and in-person for people with mental health conditions to connect with one another, as well as family groups for people who are supporting someone living with a mental health condition. All support groups are free, safe and confidential places to talk things through with others who understand your experience, led by people who have had similar experiences too. For more information visit: https://www.namichicago.org/groups-and-classes.
To find other organizations that provides immigrant-friendly mental health services, click here.
UIC’s Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy has compiled a document with a list of resources for LGBTQ+ Affirming Care that can be viewed here.
For resources related to Legal Services, youth services, health, and crisis hotline for LGBTQ+, please visit: equalityillinois.us/lgbtq-resource-guide.
The Salvation Army operates a 24-hour hotline for human trafficking: 1-877-606-3158.
ICDI Resource Guide for Immigrants in Illinois: The Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants published this resource guide in April 2023 and intends for it to be a ‘living’ document that will be updated as information and resources change.