Support for newcomers and immigrants

If you are new to the United States, Brooklyn has a large network of free and low-cost services, and most are open to you regardless of immigration status. This chapter explains the main City programmes, how to find real legal help and avoid fraud, and where community groups can help. It is general information, not legal advice; for your own situation, speak to a licensed attorney or a Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representative.

• 800-354-0365MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline; or call 311 and say "Immigration Legal"
• 175+Languages in which the 311 call center can help via interpreter (as of 2026)
• $0NYC Care fees start at zero and are based on income and family size
• FreeIDNYC card is free for applicants through 31 December 2026

City services and free legal help

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) connects New Yorkers to legal help, ID cards, benefits information and rights education. Its page says you can access City services without fear and that immigration status does not matter for its free legal support centres. The programme once called ActionNYC was announced in 2024 to be replaced by MOIA Immigration Legal Support Centers and the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline, so if you see ActionNYC mentioned in older material, use the hotline instead.^176,177

The hotline answers policy questions and helps you find free City-funded legal help in your language near your neighbourhood; it does not book appointments itself. Some City-funded providers have an income cap of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, so you may be referred elsewhere if your household earns more. Hotline hours vary, so check before you call.^178,178

Telling real help from fraud

An attorney can be checked in the state court system's attorney search, and the DOJ publishes rosters of recognized organisations and accredited representatives. Accredited representatives are non-attorney staff who may represent people before DHS and the immigration courts, but only through a recognized organisation. To report immigration fraud, MOIA lists the New Americans Hotline at (800) 566-7636 and the Attorney General's Immigration Fraud Hotline at 800-771-7755; you can also call 311 and say "immigration service provider", and you do not have to give your name or status.^180,181

• Ask for proof of the provider's law licence or DOJ accreditation
• Never pay for blank government forms
• Give copies of documents, not originals
• Get a signed written agreement and a receipt
• Do not sign anything you do not understand, and get a second opinion

Language access

New York City law (Local Law 30) designates ten citywide languages: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Arabic, Urdu, French and Polish, and DEP notes that the law provides a right to free interpretation. You can ask for an interpreter when you call 311, which says it can help in over 175 languages and dialects. Brooklyn Public Library says telephone interpretation is available at every branch in more than 170 languages. If an agency does not give you language help, call 311 to report it.^{182,183,184,185,182}

Learning English

Brooklyn Public Library offers free English classes, including drop-in beginner sessions, volunteer-led conversation groups, and registration-based classes that require an application and a placement test. CUNY Adult Learning Centers also run free classes: City Tech's centre at 300 Jay Street accepts students aged 19 and over, and Medgar Evers College's Adult Literacy Center offers free ESOL to people 18 and over with a photo ID. Class times, formats and openings change each term, so contact the programme directly.^185,186,187

IDNYC

IDNYC is a municipal photo ID card. According to the programme's FAQ, residents aged 10 or older can apply, immigration status does not affect eligibility, and the City will not ask about it. You need 3 points of identity documents and 1 point of residency, the card is free for applicants through 31 December 2026, and it does not grant immigration status, work authorisation or driving privileges. It can be used as a library card and to open an account at certain financial institutions.¹⁸⁸

Health care

NYC Care is a health-access programme, not insurance, for people who cannot get or afford coverage. Anyone can enroll regardless of immigration status; fees depend on income and family size and start at $0; and it provides primary, specialty, behavioural health care and low-cost medication through NYC Health + Hospitals, which does not record immigration status. Enrol by calling 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273). The City Health Department says every New Yorker has the right to health care regardless of immigration status or ability to pay, and that hospitals must provide emergency care regardless of status. For non-emergency care, New York State law requires hospitals to have financial assistance programmes regardless of immigration status.^{189,189,190,191}

Schools and children

New York State says students aged 5 to 21 have a right to free public education regardless of nationality, country of origin or immigration status, and that schools must accept a variety of proofs of residency. NYC Public Schools states that it is committed to protecting every student's right to attend public school regardless of immigration status. Ask your zoned school or borough enrollment office what documents they need, and call 311 for help in your language.^192,193

Know your rights

MOIA publishes guides, in many languages, on what to do if immigration agents approach you or a family member is detained, plus Red and Yellow printable cards and information on the City's sanctuary laws. Immigrant caregivers can also plan for family separation by choosing a standby guardian. These are information sources, not legal advice.^194,194

Community organisations in Brooklyn

Dozens of community groups work with specific communities. The list below includes only organisations confirmed on official or the organisations' own pages; it is a starting point, not a ranking, and many others exist. Confirm services, languages and addresses before visiting.

Checklist for your first month

• Save the MOIA hotline number (800-354-0365) and 311
• Check how to tell real immigration help from fraud before paying anyone
• Book an IDNYC appointment if you want the card
• Enrol in NYC Care if you do not have insurance
• Ask your zoned school or enrollment office how to register children
• Sign up for a free English class at a library or CUNY centre
• Learn your language-access rights and ask for an interpreter when you need one
• Read a know-your-rights guide in your language and share it with family