Immigration Resources
Immigrants in Montgomery County and across the country are scared. No matter what happens at the federal level, I am committed to keeping Montgomery County a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Please note that the following list is meant to be a helpful tool to find services and information and is not intended to replace the advice of legal counsel.
County Services
- Gilchrist Immigration Resource Center: The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center is Montgomery County’s primary resource hub for immigrants. They offer English language and citizenship preparation classes, provide referrals to programs and services, and share important legal and Know Your Rights information.
- U Visa Assistance: The U Visa is a legal status available to victims of qualifying crimes who help law enforcement investigate. MCPD and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office both certify U Visa applications and do not ask about immigration status. For more information, email [email protected].
- Report Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents: You can anonymously report hate crimes or bias incidents online to the Montgomery County Police Department. MCPD also has 24/7 language interpretation services and does not inquire about immigration status.
- Montgomery County Office of Human Rights: MCOHR addresses complaints including those based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, and national origin against employers, real estate transactions, and public accommodations.
Education and Schools
Resources for Students and Families:
- Montgomery County Public Schools: MCPS provides information about in-school and community-based services for immigrant students and families, and has specific protocols in the event that immigration enforcement comes to a school. Information is available in multiple languages.
- Montgomery College: In addition to the Refugee Training Center and the International Student Office, Montgomery College, provides frequent updates about how federal directives impact students and campus operations.
- The Universities at Shady Grove: USG has compiled numerous resources that may be helpful to students, including information about DACA, scholarships and ways to support undocumented students.
Resources for Educators:
- National Immigrant Law Center: NILC has compiled an FAQ as well as a comprehensive guide for educators and school support staff to help them provide a safe and welcoming learning environment.
- National Education Association: Some of the many resources provided by NEA include a guidebook for educators and school community leaders as well as guidance for higher education institutions.
Local Nonprofit Partners
- We Are CASA: We Are CASA (formerly CASA) offers legal assistance, citizenship preparation and education classes, and Know Your Rights information in the event of an ICE encounter. They have multiple locations in Montgomery County. To report an ICE encounter, you can call their hotline at 1-888-214-6016.
- Ayuda: Ayuda provides legal, social, and language services to help low-income immigrants in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Their Maryland office is in Silver Spring.
- Standby Guardianship Project: The Standby Guardianship Project is a nonprofit organization that helps Maryland families make provisions for their children to be in the care of someone they trust in the event that a parent is detained or deported.
Legal Resources
- Free Legal Clinics: The Bar Association of Montgomery County offers in-person pro bono attorney consultations for Montgomery County residents who meet Maryland income eligibility guidelines.
- Immigration Equality: Immigration Equality is an organization that advocates on behalf of and provides legal services for LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive immigrants and their families.
- Tahirih Justice Center: Tahirih is a nonprofit organization that provides free and confidential legal and social services to immigrants who are or have experienced violence because of their gender (including female genital mutilation/cutting, domestic violence, sexual assault and rape, forced marriage, and human trafficking), or who are denied basic human rights and freedoms because of their gender.
Additional Resources and Information
- NILC has an online guide that may help you find a loved one after a U.S. Immigration arrest.
- USA Hello: An online information and education center for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. You can also sign up for regular text updates about policy changes announced by the Trump administration.
- Informed Immigrant: An online resource hub with information on how to find an immigration attorney, resources for DACA recipients, and Know Your Rights information in the event of an ICE encounter.
- Asylum Seekers Advocacy Project: ASAP is a membership organization of asylum seekers from 175 countries who are now living in the U.S. They have created several resources to help asylum seekers better understand the process and advocate for their rights.
- International Rescue Committee: The IRC responds to international humanitarian crises and provides assistance to refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants from countries in crisis. They have an office in Silver Spring.