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Know Your Rights
Support & Resources
New Yorkers can now access the Immigrant Resource Road Map in 50 languages! Visit www.nyc.gov/immigrantresources for more information. Please note: If you do not see your language represented, you may request for our office to translate the document by emailing generalinfo@moia.nyc.gov.
Regardless of your immigration status, New York City is here to help. If you have questions about how to access City services, call the NYC Immigrant Affairs Hotline at (212) 788-7654 from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, or email us at askmoia@cityhall.nyc.gov.
Education
By law, ALL children in New York City, ages 6 to 17 (or turning 6 before July 1), must be enrolled in school until the end of the school year in which they turn 17.
For help enrolling in school and completing required vaccinations, visit schools.nyc.gov/fwc or call (718) 935-2009 (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-6 PM)
Childcare Services
There are programs that will take care of and look after your children. These programs are available to you regardless of your immigration status. Please visit https://www.schools.nyc.gov/BrightStarts for information about programs for young children.
Youth Programs
For information about youth programs, please visit https://discoverdycd.dycdconnect.nyc/home.
Supports for Parents and Caregivers
In addition to school and childcare, there are many services available to support parents and caregivers in keeping their family safe and encouraging the wellbeing of your family. For information, email connect@acs.nyc.gov or call 212-676-7667.
Worker Rights
If you work in New York City, you have rights regardless of immigration status, national origin, or country of origin. You have a right to paid sick leave, minimum wage, overtime pay, and more under New York City law. Visit www.nyc.gov/workers for resources or call (212) 436-0381. To learn about your worker rights throughout New York State, visit https://dol.ny.gov/workforce-protections.
Human Trafficking/Labor Trafficking
Labor trafficking is a form of human trafficking. Labor trafficking is when a person or entity exploits a person or people for work or services through force, fraud, coercion, debt repayment, or other forms of power or control.
Your employer may be exploiting or labor trafficking you if they:
- Tell you that you need to pay off a debt or force you to pay off a debt
- Make a promise they do not keep such as applying for a Green Card for you or your family
- Are in control of your ID, passport, and travel documents
- Threaten to call ICE or the police if you do not work
- Threaten to harm you or your family
- Harm you or a member of your family
- Force you to work a job that you did not agree to
For help and connection to services, you can call 1-800-621-4673 (HOPE) or visit www.nyc.gov/NYCHOPE.
To report suspected trafficking, you can call the New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Hotline at 1-646-610-7272.
In an emergency, you can call 911. Please note, this will lead to a response by the NYPD.
Mental Health
Call, text, or chat 988 to access free, confidential crisis counseling and mental health and substance use support, available 24/7 in over 200 languages. Visit nyc988.cityofnewyork.us/en/ to find services.
IDNYC is a card for all New Yorkers, from all backgrounds, and from all five boroughs. Your immigration status does not matter. The free, municipal identification card for New York City residents, ages 10 and up, provides access to a wide variety of services and programs offered by the City. IDNYC cardholders enjoy benefits and discounts offered by businesses and cultural institutions across the five boroughs. Learn more about how to obtain identification from IDNYC.
Legal Support
The City of New York offers New Yorkers free, safe immigration legal help in a network of trusted community-based organizations at community sites, public health facilities, public schools, and libraries. Services are provided in your language. Your immigration status does not matter. You can call the City-funded, free, and safe MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at (800) 354-0365, or call 311 and say, "Immigration Legal," between 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday, to get:
- Answers to immigration policy questions
- Information on how and where to find City-funded, free, and safe immigration legal help
For Help Finding Employment
Workforce1 helps New Yorkers who have work authorization prepare for, and connect to, jobs across New York City and in every sector of the economy. Visit www.nyc.gov/site/sbs/careers/virtual-wf1cc.page.
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Brazilian Portuguese | Português Brasileiro
Regulations and Responsibilities
MTA Rules
It is against the MTA Rules of Conduct to engage in unauthorized commercial activity, such as the display or sale of food or goods, in the subway system and can result in fines.
Street Vending
Selling items on public streets and sidewalks also requires permission. For information on Street Vending Enforcement: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/what-we-do/cleaning/street-vending-enforcement.page.
Workplace Protections for Specific Workers
Learn about workplace protections for specific workers:
- Building Service Workers
- Delivery Workers
- Fast Food Workers
- Freelance Workers
- Grocery Workers
- Paid Care Workers
- Retail Workers
- Temporary Construction Workers
- Utility Safety Workers
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