Immigration Resources

A collaborative of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM), The Advocates for Human Rights (AHR), and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) has been selected as the service provider for the Ramsey County/City of Saint Paul Immigration Legal Defense Fund.

The collaborative will represent clients who live in Ramsey County or Saint Paul, who do not have legal representation, who are detained and face removal, and who earn less than 200% of the poverty guidelines. Potential clients may contact any of the following phone numbers below to have their case evaluated:

• ILCM intake/detention line: 651-641-1011
• AHR intake line: 612-341-9845
• MMLA intake line: 612-334-5970

Recent reports by national media outlets on the federal immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division’s potential enforcement actions in U.S. cities has caused concern for many. 

At the local level, we are committed to ensuring Saint Paul is a safe, welcoming and inclusive city for all of us. The City of Saint Paul and our Saint Paul Police Department will not cooperate with or facilitate enforcement actions, or ask for immigration documentation or status.

• St Paul Intervention Project: 651-645-2824

• Asian Women United: 612-724-8823 

• Casa De Esperanza: 651-772-1611

• Women of Nations: 651-222-5836

• Voices of East African Women: 612-707-1202 

• Outfront MN (LGBTQ+): 800-800-0350

• Immigration Relief for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes

• ILRC Community Resources

Fraudulent immigration services are a type of scam in which individuals who are not licensed to practice law in the United States or are not BIA-authorized present themselves as trustworthy resources for those seeking immigration assistance. 

• The City of Saint Paul is launching the Fraudulent Immigration Services Campaign, which will provide Saint Paul community members with information on immigration scams.
• The goal of the campaign is straightforward: inform the community about how to identify, respond to, and report fraudulent immigration services.
• This awareness campaign is financially supported by the Local Consumer Financial Protection Initiative at the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund.
• This awareness campaign is a partnership between the Office of Financial Empowerment and the Immigrant and Refugee Program in the City Attorney’s Office.

Find more information on Immigration Fraud Awareness.

Gateways for Growth Challenge (G4G) is an opportunity for localities to receive support from New American Economy (now American Immigration Council) and Welcoming America to improve immigrant inclusion in their communities. In the fall of 2020, Saint Paul and Minneapolis each received grants from the G4G Initiative. 

The G4G awards included the preparation of two data reports entitled New American in Minneapolis published in June 2021 and New American in Saint Paul and East Metro Area, MN  published in September 2021.  Based on findings from the reports, Minneapolis and Saint Paul initiated efforts to make each city more welcoming and supportive for immigrants and marginalized communities. 

Find more information on Gateways for Growth.

Find legal resources to learn more about your options for assistance.

• Arrive Ministries: Areas of legal assistance include: Help refugees, asylees and other immigrants with green cards, family-based visas, TPS, diversity visas, employment authorization, replacement and travel documents, AOR’s, and citizenship. Available statewide. Nominal fees may apply. Call 612-243-2961 to make an appointment.
• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: A nonprofit providing immigration legal assistance and policy advocacy for low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota.
• International Institute of Minnesota: The Institute delivers services and resources to assist New Americans in the transition to a new life leading to economic self-sufficiency. From language learning and job training to citizenship classes and the celebration of cultural traditions, the Institute offers New Americans a pathway for a strong start to a new life in our community – something we all benefit from.
• Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (LSS): LSS is committed to providing all people with the opportunity to live and work in a community with full and abundant lives. LSS offers Immigration Legal Services for a nominal fee to help refugees, asylees, and other immigrants living in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud complete immigration documents — including Permanents Resident, Naturalization, Employment Authorization, and family visa applications.
• Minnesota Council of Churches: An immigration program welcoming persecuted people from around the world. Provides specialized services for refugees and asylees to assist them on the path to self-sufficiency and support them as they work towards achieving their dreams.
• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services: Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) assists permanent residents to apply for Naturalization. SMRLS also assists refugees, asylee and U visa holders to apply for permanent residence (green card), and immigrant victims of domestic violence and violent crimes apply for immigration status.
• Volunteer Lawyers Network: Areas of assistance include certain adjustment of status applications, EAD renewals and Naturalization cases. Apply for Services Online.
• American Immigration Lawyers Association: AILA is a professional legal association of private lawyers. While AILA offers no legal advice, recommendations, mediation or counseling under any circumstance. This online tool may assist with identifying a private immigration attorney near you.

• CLUES: A linguistically and culturally relevant resource and service nonprofit organization by Latinos for Latinos.
• International Institute of Minnesota: The Institute delivers services and resources to assist New Americans in the transition to a new life leading to economic self-sufficiency. From language learning and job training to citizenship classes and the celebration of cultural traditions, the Institute offers New Americans a pathway for a strong start to a new life in our community.
• Literacy MN: Find more classes to learn English and study for the Citizenship test through the Literacy MN website. Literacy Hotline

Wednesday, September 10

Saint Paul City Council Adopts Resolution Recognizing Welcoming Week 2025 (at 7-minute mark).

Saturday, September 13

The (SECO) Southeast Community Organization District 1 Council will Sponsor  a "Know your Rights Event" from 5-7 p.m. at the Progressive Baptist Church 1505 Burns Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55106.

Monday, September 15

Welcoming Week Job & Resource Fair from 1-3 p.m. Saint Paul is joining MNDEED, MN Department of Human Services and Minneapolis to sponsor a job fair at CareerForce Minneapolis South 777 East Lake Street Minneapolis. Saint Paul Human Resources will be there to recruit for city jobs. Please share with others who may be interested in working for the City of Saint Paul.

Thursday, September 18 

Twin Cities Immigration Forum dedicated to a discussion about Welcoming Week via Microsoft Teams from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. 

Need help? Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 229 741 384 108 3 Passcode: 7iA6Ge3f

Saturday, September 20

Citizenship Workshop is at the International Institute of Minnesota (1694 Como Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108) from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saint Paul will be joining the City of Minneapolis, the International Institute and several other legal service providers to assist Twin Cities residents eligible to naturalize with the naturalization process.

This free workshop will guide participants through the naturalization process from start to finish. Attendees can join a citizenship readiness presentation, meet with legal service providers for a naturalization screening, and get connected to free legal services that assist with applications. The goal is to help community members identify a clear pathway to citizenship and access trusted resources along the way.

Portico Health/Salud Fair | Thursday, September 18, 6-10 p.m.: A Fall Party to Bridge the Health Access Gap at Como Zoo Auditorium (1225 Estabrook Dr. Saint Paul, MN). For more information: Click Here

Pillsbury United Communities Multicultural Dinner | Thursday, September 18, 4 -7:30 p.m. Pillsbury United Communities (Brin Coyle Center 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454). For more information: Click Here