Immigrant & Refugee Resources

general resources

• ACLU Minnesota – The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota continues to protect the civil liberties of all Minnesotans through litigation, public education, and lobbying.
• Immigrant Resource Center –  An immigrant-owned family business that supports the immigration process (green card, visas, citizenship, etc.).
• International Institute of Minnesota – IIMN offers services that support new Americans find stability and success including refugee resettlement, English education, workforce and leadership development, college preparation and immigration and citizenship assistance.
• CAPI – The Centre for Asian and Pacific Islanders serves more than 12,000+ under resourced immigrants, refugees and people of color living primarily in Hennepin County. They help immigrants, refugees, and those in need meet their basic needs, reach financial stability, and get engaged in their communities.
• Hennepin County Office of Multicultural Services – Help in more than 20 different languages. Get help applying for government benefits including health care, MFIP, food assistance, childcare assistance and emergency programs; find solutions to housing issues, explore employment and complete employment applications, address immigration needs, enroll in English language and citizenship classes, register for school, cope with differences in cultures, and connect to community resources
• City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs –  Advise the City on immigration issues, welcome new immigrants, connect residents to resources and legal help, and highlight the contributions of immigrants in our community.
• Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services –  support to newcomers through four lines of service: Case management, Immigration, Employment and Education in addition to sponsorship and co-sponsorship programs.
• United Cambodian Association of Minnesota – Bilingual and bicultural legal and immigration assistance to low-income refugees and immigrants living in Minnesota.
• Advanced Standing MSW – Nationwide resources for supporting DACA/ Dreamer Individuals.

Health & Medical Resources

• State of Minnesota Refugee and International Health Program – Partners with local health departments, private health care providers, and community organizations to offer each new refugee arrival a comprehensive screening examination, appropriate follow-up or referral, and community-based health education.
• Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) – New, naturalized American citizens may qualify for Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare or General Assistance Medical Care if they meet all eligibility criteria. Noncitizen immigrants may qualify for MA, Emergency MA, MinnesotaCare or GAMC if they meet all eligibility criteria. Their immigration status determines if they qualify for a federally funded health care program or a state only funded health care program. 
• American Immigrations of Twin Cities Medical Clinic – Clinic providing I-693 immigration medical services for USCIS. 
• Immigrants Rising Wellness Support  – These 6-week Wellness Support Groups led by trained mental health providers or registered clinicians, are designed to help undocumented people feel less alone and more understood.

Legal support & Services

• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota – Areas of assistance: Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), employment authorization, family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions.
• Mid Minnesota Legal Aid – Specializes in providing professional legal help to Minnesotans who traditionally lack access to the American justice system and cannot afford the services of a private attorney. Services include full representation for Citizenship, permanent residency, vulnerable youth and seniors, refugees and asylees, VAWA and other related issues.
• The Advocates for Human Rights –  Helps with adjustment of status, asylum applications, removal proceedings in addition to help completing forms, filings with USCIS, representation at asylum interviews, representation before the immigration court and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal Court appeals
• Volunteer Lawyers Network – Civil law support and consultations including immigration, family law, housing, employment, criminal expungement, bankruptcy, real estate and others.
• Immigration Law Help – This list provides additional organizations who can assist with immigration matters in Minnesota.

East African/ African diaspora resources

• African Immigrants Community Services (AICS) – Nonprofit providing resources and support for Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities including Youth Employment, Health, Social Services and Career Development. 
• African Career, Education, & Resources Inc. (ACER) – An issue-based community organization working to uplift and amplify the African Diaspora to build power for systemic change with housing justice, health equity, voter & civic engagement, and economic development programs. 
• Somali Community Resettlement Services –  Nonprofit organization assisting newly arrived refugees from Somalia and other East African countries to secure basic needs and resources for self-sufficiency and to acclimate to a new way of life.
• East African Integration Center (EAIC) – is a non-governmental, non-religious, non-partisan, non-profit humanitarian organization working to improve the life of East African Immigrants. 

Resources for Latinas 

• CLUES (Comunidades latinas unidas en servico) – CLUES is Minnesota’s largest Latino-led nonprofit organization working to ensure the advancement of social and economic equity and wellbeing for Latinos in Minnesota.
• COPAL (Comunidades organizado el poder y acción latina) – Organization leading social impact initiatives to improve the quality of life for Latin American families. Offers citizenship classes, information and resources. 
• Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs – Agency of the Minnesota Government that serves as spokesperson and advises on issues of interest to the Latino community before the Governor’s office, the House of Representatives, and the various state departments. Find a detailed list of resources on their website.