Minnesota Immigrant & Refugee Rights Helpline—TPS

[Español abajo]

During the Dates/Times listed below, the Helpline will be open and an attorney will be available to answer legal questions about Temporary Protected Status for individuals from El Salvador.

The Helpline is a free resource for immigrants and refugees living in the state of Minnesota whose household income is below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Callers will speak with an intake specialist for a brief income screening prior to their phone consult with an attorney.

Helpline Hours

Tuesday January 9th- Friday January 12th: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

The Helpline Is Open for Legal Questions

Related to the TPS Program for El Salvador

CALL: 651-287-3715

Durante las horas y fechas listadas en la parte abajo, la línea de ayuda estará abierta y un abogado estará disponible para contestar sus preguntas legales y preocupaciones acerca el programa Estado Temporal Protegido para salvadoreños.

La Línea de Derechos para Inmigrantes y Refugiados de Minnesota es un recurso gratuito para inmigrantes y refugiados que viven en el estado de Minnesota y que tienen un ingreso por debajo del 250% de las guías federales de pobreza. Una breve evaluación de ingresos tendrá que ser completada por teléfono antes de hablar con un abogado.

Horas de Ayuda

Martes, 9 de enero a viernes, 12 de enero: 3:00 de la tarde – 5:00 de la tarde

La Línea de Ayuda está abierta para preguntas legales relacionadas a TPS para salvadoreños

Llama: 651-287-3715

Who Can We Assist

In Minnesota

  • Current DACA holders: You can still renew your DACA. We urge those eligible to renew to do so. If you have DACA, live in Minnesota, and your DACA expires 6 months or less from today call ILCM to schedule an appointment.
  • People detained by ICE: If you are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or calling on behalf of someone in the custody of ICE, please call 651-641-1011 during the detention intake hours to receive assistance.
  • Applicants for U.S. Citizenship: If you are a lawful permanent resident and want to apply to become a U.S. citizen call ILCM to schedule an appointment. (N-400)
  • Refugees and asylees who want to get their green cards (residency): If you are a refugee or asylee who has been in the United States for at least one year and you want to get your green card (residency) call ILCM to schedule an appointment. (I-485)
  • Non-U.S. citizen children abandoned, abused, or neglected by their parents: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) may be available to non-citizen children in the United States who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents. This status may allow certain children unable to be reunited with a parent to eventually get a green card.
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants and current TPS holders: TPS allows individuals already inside the United States, who come from countries designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, to be granted temporary protection from deportation for a limited period of time. Reasons for designating a country for TPS include ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters, epidemics, or “other extraordinary and temporary conditions.” If you want to apply for TPS or currently have TPS and want to renew your status, call ILCM.
  • Non-U.S. citizen survivors of abuse or domestic violence: ILCM may be able to assist survivors of abuse or domestic violence if you are a conditional permanent resident who obtained status through marriage and want to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status. (Removal of Conditions Form I-751)
  • Non-U.S. citizen survivors of abuse or domestic violence who want to get their green cards (residency): The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows immigrants who were abused to petition for legal status in the United States, without relying on the abusive U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident spouses, parents, or children to sponsor their Adjustment of Status (I-485) applications.
  • Non-U.S. citizen survivors of human trafficking: The T Visa is a temporary immigration benefit for certain survivors of human trafficking to remain in the United States for up to four years. Qualifying family members of the survivor may also be eligible for U visas. After three years in T status you may be able to apply for a green card (residency).
  • Non-U.S. citizen survivors of certain violent crimes: The U Visa is a temporary immigration benefit for survivors of certain crimes who are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. A U Visa is good for four years. Qualifying family members of the survivor may also be eligible for U visas. After three years in U status you may be able to apply for a green card (residency).

 

In North Dakota 

Who We Can Assist 

  • Refugees 
  • Asylees 
  • Afghan parolees 
  • Cuban parolees
  • Haitian parolees 
  • Ukrainian parolees 

What We Can Assist With 

  • Getting green cards (residency) (I-485) 
  • U.S. Citizenship application (N-400) 
  • Employment authorization card – initial or replacement (I-765)
  • Replacing stolen or lost green cards (I-90) 

Are You Eligible?

ILCM provides free immigration legal representation to immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota who qualify for services based on the following requirements. 

Income

All potential clients must be at or below 187.5% of the federal poverty line. Please see the chart below for specifics or read more about federal poverty guidelines.

2024 Poverty Guidelines

187.5% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

Type of Immigration Case

ILCM can only assist with immigration-related cases. If you are an immigrant who needs help with another area of law, such as housing, family law, public benefits, or employment, we cannot assist you. We also cannot assist with non-immigrant visas, such as student or business visas.

Available Staff Resources

Like every service provider, ILCM has limited staff resources. ILCM has a generally high demand for services. We may not be able to assist with every case, even though you may otherwise qualify for our services. We strive to help with as many cases as possible while still providing high-quality representation. If we cannot assist you, we will refer you to another trusted organization or immigration attorney.

Are you eligible?

Eligibility Flowchart

 

ILCM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity in the delivery of services. 

Intake Hours

ILCM provides free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota based on our capacity. Before you call, please see more information about our eligibility requirements, the types of cases we can provide assistance in, and other places to get help.

If you are being hurt or abused, call MN Day One Crisis Line at 1-866-223-1111 for help.

Looking for immigration legal assistance?

To receive free immigration legal assistance, please call our client intake line at 1-800-223-1368 during the following intake hours to schedule an appointment. We do not give walk-in or drop-in appointments.

Monday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thursday: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Who Can We Assist?

  • Current DACA holders
  • Applicants for U.S. Citizenship
  • Refugees and asylees who want to get their green card (residency)
  • Non-U.S. citizen children abandoned, abused, or neglected by their parents
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants and current TPS holders
  • Non-U.S. citizen survivors of human trafficking
  • Non-U.S. citizen survivors of certain violent crimes
  • Non-U.S. citizen survivors of abuse or domestic violence

** To learn more about the case types we take, please see the descriptions on our “Who Can We Assist” page.

If you are detained by ICE or calling on behalf of someone in the custody of ICE

Call 651-641-1011 during our detention line intake hours to receive assistance. 

Monday: 2 – 4 p.m.
Thursday: 1 – 3 p.m.

Individuals being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as their families, can call 651-641-1011 within our detention line intake hours to obtain general information about court proceedings, the Minnesota Detention Project, and the services the project provides at a first court hearing. Volunteers operating the phone line are not attorneys and will not be able to provide any legal advice.

The schedule will be updated when hours change.

If you are not satisfied with the services provided by ILCM, please refer to our client grievance procedure.