Legal Resources
Legal resources are provided here to address common concerns regarding workplace laws, citizenship, and advocacy issues for new immigrants and refugees. The information on this page is general and not intended to be considered legal advice. For reliable legal advice you should consult an attorney specializing in immigration and refugee law.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services federal website includes the following key sections:
Immigration Laws, Regulations and Guides
Information about laws, regulations, and interpretations controlling immigration
Immigration Services and Benefits
Information about citizenship, asylum, lawful permanent residency, employment authorization, refugee status, inter-country adoptions, replacing immigration documents, family and employment related immigration, and foreign student authorization.
Office of Citizenship
Promotes education and training on citizenship rights, privileges, and responsibilities for immigrants interested in becoming citizens.
St. Paul District Office
Provides specific information about immigration services in Minnesota, including location, hours, directions,
and contact information.
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Immigration and resettlement
Information Kit
This information kit provides background information and answers questions about U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS) procedures. Responses are linked to the USCIS website and relevant information on other U.S. Government websites.
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.
LawHelpMN (Minnesota Legal Services Coalition)
For immigrants, migrant workers, public assistance recipients. Get answers to legal
questions, find a legal aid office, and get court information.
Naturalization
This section from immigration.com includes: the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship, frequently asked questions, who is eligible for naturalization, what to expect: an overview of the naturalization process, terms on naturalization and more.
Office of General Consul, MnSCU Immigration Law Services
Available to assist campuses of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities with immigration-related issues in their roles as employers and educators.
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; F-1 and J-1 program requirements; finding forms; and drafting professional/technical contracts.
Office of Refugee Resettlement
Refugees come to the United States for protection from persecution and in search of freedom, peace, and opportunity for themselves and their families. The mission of the Office of Refugee Resettlement is to help refugees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, and other beneficiaries of our program to establish a new life that is founded on the dignity of economic self-support and encompasses full participation in opportunities which Americans enjoy.
The Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC)
Find information about the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the types of documents an employee needs to show employers to establish identity and employment eligibility, and steps you can take to avoid immigration related employment discrimination.
US Immigration Lawyers in Minnesota
Immigration lawyers in Minnesota work with many government agencies to help you with all of your
immigration problems. Minnesota Immigration attorneys work with issues dealing with immigration,
emigration, visas, green cards, political asylum, and other important immigration and naturalization issues
in Minnesota .
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Advocacy and other resources
American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF)
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.
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.
Immigration Basics - Legal Help
This page will help you decide if you need an immigration lawyer and what you need to know to choose a qualified lawyer or authorized representative. This section provided by American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) noted above.
Hmong Lao Human Rights Council
The Lao Human Rights Council raises public concern and provides information about
Hmong, Laotian and Indochinese refugees from Thailand.
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 independent, self-sufficient, and
productive members of the community. This website includes special programs and education regarding
immigrant rights, community services, work authorization, and new laws affecting immigrants.
Office of Minnesota Attorney General
This is the state's chief policy maker and law enforcer in the important areas of consumer protection,
antitrust enforcement, and charities' regulation. The Office is also responsible for representing residential
and small business utility consumers through participation in matters before the Public Utilities Commission.
The Office initiates and shapes a legislative agenda, with proposals that include crime and violence
prevention, consumer protection, and other relevant issues.
Page last updated
in June, 2008.
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