Self-Help Resources
Welcome to the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network’s self-help resources page. These materials are designed to provide general information about immigration law and immigration proceedings, particularly for children and families, and for those in immigration detention.
These publications are meant to provide useful basic information about immigration law and detention in removal in Denver/Aurora and were created in the course of RMIAN’s work. Under no circumstances do these resources constitute legal advice. We strongly encourage you to talk to an immigration lawyer or trusted legal service provider about the specifics of your case or your loved one’s case.
If you’re looking for information or support for someone who is in immigration detention in Colorado, please call RMIAN’s Detention Hotline: (303) 866-9308. Click here for information on the services RMIAN offers to individuals in immigration detention in Colorado.
If you are looking for information or support for a child or family’s immigration case, including DACA, please call RMIAN’s general number at (303) 433-2812.
RMIAN strives to keep the materials on this page up to date; however, individuals using materials from this page are responsible for consulting other resources including the USCIS website and the Immigration Court Practice Manual in order to ensure that filings comply with all current U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and court requirements before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (“EOIR”).
If you are looking for information on the operational status and changes in the Immigration Court and the USCIS office because of COVID-19 or resources available to the community please click here.
Si está buscando información sobre el estado operativo y los cambios en el Tribunal de Inmigración y el USCIS debido a COVID-19 o los recursos disponibles para la comunidad, haga click aqui.
GENERAL RESOURCES
Understanding the different agencies that be involved in your immigration case
Where can I find details about my/my family member’s immigration case?
EOIR: If the case is pending before the immigration court, you can find more information about the next hearing date and decisions made in the case by referencing the following:
o Executive Office for Immigration Review Automated Case Information
o Call the Executive Office of Immigration Review Hotline at 1-800-898-7180
o EOIR’s Immigration Court Online Resource (includes information on contacting immigration courts and the BIA, EOIR’s operational status, important forms, and more)
o EOIR’s List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers by State
USCIS: If the case is pending before USCIS, you can:
o Check the case status here
o Call USCIS Customer Service at 1 (800) 375-5283
ICE: If your loved one was apprehended by immigration officials and you don’t know where they can you can search for them by checking the ICE Detainee Locator (if the system has been updated).
RESOURCES FOR DETAINED ADULTS
If your loved one is detained at the ICE Aurora Detention Center in Aurora, Colorado, their immigration case will be heard at the Aurora Immigration Court. Below you will find general information about the GEO/ICE Immigration Detention Center and the Aurora Immigration Court.
Information on the GEO/ICE Denver Contract Detention Center
o Including visiting, calling, depositing money, dropping off personal items, etc.
o General Information regarding the GEO/ICE Denver Contract Detention Center
o Includes information about attending court hearings, sending books, visiting, calling, depositing money, dropping off personal items, etc.
o Options for Advocating for our Friends in Detention created by Casa de Paz volunteers
o Information about organizations to contact if an immigrant experiences mistreatment in detention
o Casa de Paz—visitation, post-release, and other support by community volunteers
o Information about requesting visits or pen pals for people in detention, support for people after release from detention, and accommodations for people coming from out of town to visit loved ones in detention
Aurora Immigration Court Website
o Includes contact information and information on attending court.
o General Information on the Aurora Immigration Court.
Department of Homeland Security Office of Chief Counsel Website
o Agency that house the ICE trial attorneys, who are essentially prosecutors in immigration cases.
Rights and Defenses Against Deportation for Detained Adults
Navigating an immigration case is likely a new experience for you and your family members. Understanding your rights and the Immigration Court process is the first step towards representing yourself or advocating for your loved one. Below you will find a brief description of the rights an individual has in the Immigration Court process, what the court process looks like and common defenses against deportation.
Know Your Rights for Individuals in Immigration Detention
Immigration Court Process
Types of Proceedings
Removal Proceeding (also known as 240 Proceedings)
Credible Fear Process for Asylum Seekers
A Path to Asylum: A Guide to Credible and Reasonable Fear Proceedings created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Reasonable Fear Process for Asylum Seekers with Prior Orders of Removal
A Path to Asylum: A Guide to Credible and Reasonable Fear Proceedings created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Defenses Against Deportation
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Convention Against Torture
I’m Afraid to Go Back:” A Guide to Asylum, Withholding of Removal and the Convention Against Torture” created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Cancellation of Removal for Legal Permanent Residents (green card holders)
Cancellation of Removal for Non-Legal Permanent Residents (non-green card holders)
Building Your Case from the Ground Up: A Guide to 10-year Cancellation of Removal created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
RMIAN Checklist – Applying for Ten Year Cancellation of Removal
Adjustment of Status
How to Become a Permanent Resident: Applying for Adjustment of Status Guide created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
U Visas
U Status: A Guide for Crime Victims created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Have you been the victim of a crime? You may qualify for a U Visa
T Visas
VAWA Cancellation of Removal
Voluntary Departure
Deportation
Appeals
Appealing Your Case to the Board of Immigration Appeals Guide created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Criminal History and Immigration Relief
How will my Criminal History Impact my Changes for Immigration Relief?
If I have immigration status, but have been convicted of a crime, could it trigger my deportation?
If I have Immigration Status, can ICE Deport me Because of my Conviction?
If I want to Reenter the U.S. Or Become a Citizen, What Bars Will Results from my Criminal History?
Other Pro Se Templates
Can I get out of detention while my case is pending?
Some people may be eligible to apply for release and fight their immigration case outside of detention. Below is more information on the options for release from Immigration Detention. If someone detained by ICE is granted release, they can leave immigration detention, but they are still in removal proceedings and are expected to continue attending their court hearings. For more information see the resources below:
Options for Release from Immigration Detention
Bond
Credible Fear Parole
Humanitarian Parole
Release under Fraihat v. ICE
Next steps after being released under bond or parole
If you are granted asylum or another similar form of relief, congratulations! Many of the forms of relief have important benefits, make sure you apply for those benefits as soon as possible.
Release after being granted relief
Other Helpful Resources for Immigrants in Detention
A Guide to Accessing Medical Care While in ICE Custody created by RMIAN
Immigration in the Unites States by Agency (American Immigration Council, 2020)
RESOURCES FOR NON-DETAINED MINORS AND ADULTS
If you or a loved one is in immigration proceedings in Denver, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the location and rules of the Denver Immigration Court. Below, you can find information about the Immigration Court and other immigration related government entities that you may be interacting with.
Denver Immigration Court Website
Department of Homeland Security Office of Chief Counsel Website
U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services- Denver Field Office
Rights and Defenses Against Deportation for Non-Detained Minors and Adults
Navigating an immigration case is likely a new experience for you and your family members. Understanding your rights and the Immigration Court process is the first step towards representing yourself or advocating for your loved one who is in proceedings. Below you will find a brief description of your rights in the Immigration Court process, and information on common forms of relief against deportation.
Know Your Rights for Children, Juveniles and Non-Detained Adults in Removal Proceedings
Immigration Court Process
Family Unit “FAMU” Cases
Defenses Against Deportation
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Convention Against Torture
I’m Afraid to Go Back:” A Guide to Asylum, Withholding of Removal and the Convention Against Torture” created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Instructions for Submitting Certain Applications in Immigration Court
Unaccompanied Alien Child “UAC” Instructions Sheet to Submit Asylum Application
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals “DACA”
N-600: Application for Certificate of Citizenship
Includes application form, instructions, and checklist of required evidence
N-400: Application for Naturalization
Includes information on requirements and eligibility, application form, instructions and document checklist
Special Relief Available to Children and Minors
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Protections for Victims of Crime
U Visas
U Status: A Guide for Crime Victims created by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Have you been the victim of a crime? You may qualify for a U Visa
T Visas
Violence Against Women Act “VAWA”
Document Gathering for Self-Petitioning Under the Violence Against Women Act created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Voluntary Departure
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has compiled extensive resources for folks who are being deported to Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador or Guatemala you can find those resources here.
Deportation
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has compiled extensive resources for folks who are being deported to Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador or Guatemala you can find those resources here.
Life After Deportation is a guide that gives options for folks who are being deported to Mexico. The targeted audience is for people who grew up in the United States and are being deported to a county that is unfamiliar to them.
This survival guide gives guidance to immigrants who are being deported to Cambodia.
Alternative Chance / Chans Altenativ offers guidance for folks who are being deported to Haiti.
This guide -compiled by Freedom for Immigrants - provides post-deportation resources for folks being deported to Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala or Jamaica.
Other Helpful Resources for Non-Detained Minors & Adults in Removal Proceedings
Immigrants’ Rights and Detention (ACLU)
SOCIAL SERVICES RESOURCES
We understand the difficulties that come with being an immigrant in this country. If you’re struggling with medial/mental health issues, housing, securing food, or other issues, please know that there are resources out there. Please see the lists below so you can find the help you need.
Housing and Homelessness Guide from City of Denver
Dial 2-1-1: Mile High United Way phone, text, live chat, and online resources (healthcare, housing, food assistance, childcare, and more)
Bank of Denver - an initiative to connect Denver residents to local banks and credit unions to ensure that they have access to products and services that allow them to build assets and improve financial stability. Bank on Denver offers free or low-cost bank accounts that accept alternative forms of identification, loans to improve your credit rating, and free one-on-one financial coaching.
OTHER HELPFUL IMMIGRATION RELATED RESOURCES
Partial List of America Immigration Lawyers Association Attorneys in Colorado
“A mobile app and website that helps immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees find immigrant services and other resources in their communities.”
OTHER HELPFUL NON-IMMIGRATION RELATED RESOURCES
Last Updated 09/17/2021