IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

How will DACA recipients be affected by this crisis?

DACA recipients can apply for/qualify for unemployment. If you have work authorization at the time you were working and lost your job, you can access unemployment on DACA.

What rights do I have in my workplace?

If you are working, the law protects you regardless of status. This includes minimum wage, health and safety, and discrimination laws. You are also eligible for paid sick days if you work in Chicago or certain suburbs in Cook County. 

Do immigrants have a right to healthcare? 

Yes. Immigrant rights regarding access to health:

• It is safe and important to see a doctor if you need care. Your doctor must respect your right to privacy, and you do not need to share any information about immigration status unless you apply for Medicaid or other health coverage. 
• You can see a doctor even if you don’t have health insurance. Find a health center here: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/ 
• It is safe to visit hospitals and places where health services are provided
• Many states have some medical assistance programs that cover immigrants regardless of status: https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/med-services-for-imms-in-states.pdf
• Undocumented individuals are not restricted from testing, screening, and treatment

Will the COVID-19 crisis impact immigration proceedings?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") has suspended in-person services from March 18, 2020 through April 1, 2020.  This move will postpone all naturalization ceremonies, citizenship, green card and asylum interviews, among other things. In the meantime, USCIS will provide limited emergency services.

When USCIS resumes normal operations, individuals will automatically be rescheduled for interviews and should receive a new appointment letter in the mail.  

As a result, if you receive a phone call or notification from USCIS informing you that your interview has been postponed for a later date, do not be alarmed as it is part of USCIS's initiative to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Visit https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19 to learn more about how USCIS is responding to the crisis.