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Legal Resources for Immigrants and Refugees

Do you need help understanding your legal rights and responsibilities as a newcomer to this country? Minnesota has a wealth of organizations that can advocate for your rights and guide you through all immigration-related issues.

Information on this page is general and not intended to be legal advice. For reliable legal advice you should consult an attorney specializing in immigration and refugee law.

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  1. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) federal website

    Welcome to the United States
    Welcome to the United States resources for new immigrants is available online in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Portuguese, French, and Haitian Creole.

    Finding Legal Advice
    Find legal advice and avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

    St. Paul District Office
    Find location, hours, directions, and descriptions of services provided by the local USCIS office for Minnesota.


  2. Frequently asked questions about immigration

    Foreignborn.com
    Visit the Immigration Homepage from foreignborn.com if you, a family member, or an employee wishes to become a permanent resident of the United States. Here is where you will find helpful information regarding the immigration process, eligibility requirements, application procedures, forms, fees, and where to go for further assistance.

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offers resources to answer questions regarding immigration.

    LawHelpMN (Minnesota Legal Services Coalition)
    The Minnesota Legal Services Coalition connects you with organizations that can provide legal help of various kinds: full representation by a lawyer or a legal advocate in court; brief Advice in person or over the telephone; educational materials such as factsheets and brochures; workshops: referrals to private attorneys. The web site also includes useful glossaries and information guides in Russian, Somali, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Hmong, and other languages.

    Naturalization
    Do you want to become a citizen of the United States? This section from immigration.com includes frequently asked questions about the naturalization process.


  3. Immigration Law services

    Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
    A non-profit law firm that provides help in immigration matters to low-income immigrant and refugee families and individuals in Minnesota. Provides low-cost and free brief advice and service, and ongoing legal representation in immigration matters to persons who qualify for services based on their income, place of residence, and type of immigration.

    Office of General Counsel, MnSCU Immigration Law Services
    Provides general guidance to college and university officials related to the institution's responsibilities in such matters as requirements/characteristics of different types of visas; understanding the institution's role in visa application/extension/change in status processes for students and employees; defining employer responsibilities; defining F-1 and J-1 program requirements.

    US Immigration Lawyers in Minnesota
    Immigration lawyers in Minnesota work with many government agencies to help you with issues dealing with immigration, emigration, visas, green cards, and political asylum.

    Legal Help Near You
    Use this search tool to find a legal aid office or community resource that may be able to help you with your civil legal problem.


  4. Refugee resettlement and advocacy resources

    Office of Refugee Resettlement
    The mission of the Office of Refugee Resettlement is to help refugees and asylees with programs such as Repatriation assistance, Refugee Preventive Health, services to Older Refugees and Unaccompanied Children.

    International Institute of Minnesota
    The Institute provides resettlement service including family reunification, refugee sponsorship, coordination and referral of services, and advocacy. Since 1975, the agency has assisted in sponsoring over 20,000 family reunifications from throughout the world.

    Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights - Refugee and Immigrant Program
    One of the largest Midwest-based non-governmental organizations engaged in international human rights work. It assists refugees, asylees, and other immigrant newcomers to become informed about immigrant rights, community services, work authorization, and new laws affecting immigrants in Minnesota. They also maintain a directory of free and low-cost immigration-related legal and advocacy services in Minnesota.

    Hmong Lao Human Rights Council
    The Lao Human Rights Council raises public concern and provides information about Hmong, Laotian and Indochinese refugees from Thailand.

    Consulate of Mexico - St. Paul
    The Consulate assists Mexican nationals in Minnesota as well as persons interested in traveling to Mexico with passport and other documentation information. Their website and telephone services are in Spanish and English with a link to a Visas section . They are located at 797 East 7th St., St. Paul, MN, (651) 771-5494.

    American Immigration Council
    Established in 1987 as a tax-exempt, not-for-profit educational, charitable organization. It is dedicated to increasing public understanding of immigration law, policy, and the value contributed by immigrants to American society; to promoting public service and excellence in the practice of immigration law; and to advancing fundamental fairness and due process under the law for immigrants.