Immigration Resources

Immigration Resources

The list of resources below is to inform immigrants and service providers about several legal, health care and basic needs related services available in Connecticut.

Questions? Contact:
Jennifer Avenia, JD, LCSW
Director of Immigration Practice
Department of Children and Families
250 Hamilton Street | Hartford, CT | 06106
Work Cell: 860-505-5751
jennifer.avenia@ct.gov

Table of contents:

• Immigration Law Information
• Connecticut Family Preparedness Plan
• Education
• Healthcare
• Legal and Advocacy

Immigration Law Information

• Here is a link to the NAACP Know Your Immigration Rights page: https://naacp.org/resources/know-your-rights-immigration
• For more information see the American Civil Liberties Union website: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights
• For a printable Red Card template see the Immigrant Legal Resource Center: https://www.ilrc.org/redcards
  What is a Red Card? A wallet size red card on which is printed information to use if questioned or detained by federal immigration authorities. 

Connecticut Family Preparedness Plan

The State of Connecticut and Office of the Governor Ned Lamont have added the Connecticut Family Preparedness Plan page to the state’s website to assist families who have concerns about immigration enforcement, particularly in regards to the possibility of the deportation or detainment of guardians and the impact that it could have on their children. If families are worried about what will happen to their children if they are detained or deported, families can make a family preparedness plan. The Connecticut Governor's Office has developed a useful toolkit that people can utilize. There is no cost to utilize any of the documents contained in the toolkit, and neither attorneys nor court action are needed. The toolkit is available in multiple languages.

Standby Guardianship (English)
Standby Guardianship (Spanish)

Education

Connecticut Department of Education: Guidance to K-12 Public Schools Pertaining to Immigration Activities
United We Dream Toolkit for Educators: #HereToStay Toolkit K-12 & Higher Education Educators & Schools 
National Education Association-Ed Justice: Supporting Immigrant Families and Students” resources page

Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982) is a United States Supreme Court decision saying that children are entitled to a free public education, kindergarten through 12th grade, regardless of immigration status. Schools can ask for reasonable proof of residence in the district, such as a lease or utility bill, but they cannot ask about immigration status or citizenship. Bring your child's birth certificate and proof of residence to the Board of Education to register your child for school.

Healthcare

• Undocumented people who are fifteen years of age or younger as well as those who are pregnant or postpartum can apply for HUSKY (Medicaid) benefits: https://portal.ct.gov/husky/how-to-qualify.
• For communicable diseases: Refugee and Immigrant Health Program, Connecticut Department of Public Health, https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Tuberculosis/Refugee-and-Immigrant-Health-Program
• National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics: https://nafcclinics.org.find-clinic/
• Federally Qualified Health Centers serve people who do not have health insurance. You can call 211 to find the FQHC that is most convenient for you. People can apply at these facilities and others to receive medical, dental and mental health care services on a sliding scale:

• New Haven area: Fair Haven Community Health Center https://www.fhchc.org/
• New Haven area: Clifford Beers Community Health Partners https://cliffordbeerschp.org/
• Hartford area: Charter Oak Community Health Center https://thecharteroak.org/
• Hartford area: Community Health Services https://www.chshartford.org/
• Bridgeport area: Southwest Community Health Center https://swchc.org/
• Several locations throughout Connecticut: Community Health Center, Inc. https://www.chc1.com/

Access Health CT Healthcare Coverage for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) Recipients
Since November 1, 2024, DACA recipients have been able to get health insurance coverage through state-based marketplaces. DACA recipients living in Connecticut under the law can apply for health and/or dental insurance plans offered through Access Health CT. DACA recipients are not eligible to enroll in regular HUSKY Health programs. Those include Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). DACA recipients can enroll online, over the phone or in person. Visit AccessHealthCT.com for additional information.

• Enroll online at AccessHealthCT.com or by phone at 1-855-805-4325.
• Enrollment help is available over the phone in more than 100 languages.
• If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or contact us at 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator.
• Find in-person enrollment events at AccessHealthCT.com and click “Get Help.”

Refugee Assistance Program through the Department of Social Services
The Office of Community Services of the Department of Social Services (DSS) is responsible for disbursing federal funds related to the resettlement of refugees in Connecticut. Refugees are assigned by the U.S. State Department to local affiliates of national voluntary resettlement agencies in Connecticut. DSS disburses federal refugee assistance program funds, administers refugee cash and medical assistance programs and monitors resettlement activity for individuals who qualify as refugees under international law. A refugee can request to become a legal permanent resident after one-year residence in the U.S. and can apply for U.S. citizenship five years after their date of entry to the U.S. DSS regional offices administer the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) programs for refugees for up to twelve months from their date of entry to the U.S. DSS also provides refugees with temporary family assistance/cash assistance, medical coverage and food stamp assistance under those public assistance programs since refugees qualify as legal non-citizens.

Legal and Advocacy

Connecticut Legal Services: from Immigration Law Help in CT
Offers a database of resources and links to services for helping low-incomes immigrants find legal help.

These agencies offer immigration-related legal services on a pro bono or low bono basis. Please be aware that they may have wait lists:

• Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants: https://cirict.org
• Building One Community: https://www.b1c.org
• Greater Hartford Legal Aid; https://www.ghla.org
• Greater New Haven Legal Assistance: https://www.nhlegal.org
• Apostle Immigrant Services: https://www.apostleimmigrantservices.org
• Connecticut Legal Services: https://www.ctlegal.org
• Jewish Family Services: https://www.jfsgreenwich.org
• Catholic Charities of Norwich: https://www.ccfsn.org
• For children: Center for Children's Advocacy: https://cca-ct.org/our-work/immigration/
• For refugees: Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services: https://www.irisct.org