Immigration Status

A court has halted the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti.

Last-reviewed: March 9, 2026

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Latest Updates

  • Militarized immigration enforcement is occurring through the United States. Noncitizens and naturalized citizens may consider carrying proof of status, such as a passport card, passport book, greencard, or other document. Here is Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE resource.
  • New immigration policies may impact some airport travelers. The Trump administration has strictly limited visitation from citizens of 39 countries and documents issued by the Palestinian authority. Other immigrants may experience heightened screening while traveling through US airports.
  • A federal court has ruled that the government cannot terminate TPS for Haitians. The government is likely to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Even though TPS for Haitians was supposed to end on February 3, 2026, the recent court orders means that Haitian TPS holders may continue to stay in the U.S. and work. Resource here.
  • In 2025, RI changed the law to permit the family court to have jurisdiction until the age of 21 for the limited instances involving those seeking special immigrant juvenile visas.
  • RI is part of a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s Executive Order ending Birthright Citizenship.
  • Affirmative asylum applications are paused. Asylum applications filed through immigration court are still being adjudicated.
  • Employees losing their work authorization can use this tool for guidance.

For more immigration information and updates, please visit Legal Key’s Federal Digital Digest. 

Schools and public benefits

  • All children, regardless of immigration status, are eligible for state health insurance and public school education.
  • All pregnant people, regardless of immigration status, are eligible for state health insurance up to one year post-partum.
  • University students who have DACA or are undocumented and are state residents can access in-state tuition and may be eligible for some state financial aid.
  • The RI Dept. of Education (RIDE) and the RI Attorney General’s office issued this guidance to public schools highlighting students’ rights to attend public school regardless of immigration status and reasserting that only authorized adults can enter schools. ICE can enter schools only if there is a signed judicial warrant.

Supporting families

  • Dorcas International Institute of RI has a 24/7 immigration hotline: 401-784-8607.
  • Family Preparedness Plans: Family preparedness plans are a collection of medical information, contact information, documents, and other important forms used in the event of a family emergency or separation, such as detention or deportation. Rhode Island has a Family Preparedness Plan for Rhode Island families.
  • Finding someone who has been detained by ICE: Use that person’s A number on the ICE’s detainee locater tool to find which detention facility the person is being held at. If you do not have their A number, you can also use their first name, last name, and country of origin. If the person being detained is under age 18, they will not appear in this system. Contact the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest to where they were picked up.
  • Passport applications for minors: The US Department of State has information on applying for passports for minors under 16. US citizen children will not be deported alongside their noncitizen parents. Noncitizen parents will have to make their own arrangements to reunite with their US citizen children, so having passports for their children ahead of time is recommended. Passport processing is not impacted by the federal government shutdown.
  • Immigration Application Status: Application status information can be obtained online by entering the applicant’s 13-digit receipt number. USCIS, the agency in charge of immigration applications, remains open during the government shutdown.
  • Know your Rights cards: The ACLU has know your rights information for different situations.
    • The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Coalition (MIRA) has Know Your Rights cards detailing information about interactions with Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officials.
  • Arrests at immigration court: Expedited Removal explainer (ESP). Note: a federal court has ordered the temporary pause of the use of expanded expedited removal. Litigation is fast moving, and enforcement policy can change rapidly.
  • Information about the Costs of Self-deportation: This explainer from the National Immigration Projects helps make people aware about the consequences of self-deportation.
  • RI Deportation Defense Coalition has a hotline community members can call if they see ICE or DHS in their neighborhoods: 1-401-675-1414.
  • Taxes: The National Immigration Law Center has an explainer of the ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number) and information about data privacy and immigrant federal tax payers.

Immigration court

  • There are two local immigration courts. One is located in Boston, MA and the other is in Chelmsford, MA.
    • Cases about evictions or family law are handled by state courts and they do not have any jurisdiction to make decisions about deportation.
  • How to file a request for virtual immigration hearing here. Webex links for immigration courts.
  • Automated court case information look-up here. Have ready the person’s A-number, a unique number given by the Department of Homeland Security.
  • The Brown Human Rights Asylum Clinic offers eligible asylum seekers forensic medical evaluations.

Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams

Resource Guide

RI – Resources Available to People Regardless of Immigration Status

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How Care Teams Can Support Immigrant Families

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There are many ways care teams can support people with immigration-related needs. For more specific legal information and strategies, care team members who have access to Legal Key’s Unlocking Access® Hub should log in.

Unlocking Access Hub
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So You Want to Talk About Immigration Status

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If you are a Legal Key partner who does not have their login information, or you’d like to learn more about how to gain access to the Unlocking Access® Hub, get in touch with us!

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General Resources

Legal Resources

Advocacy Corner

Individual Advocacy

Care teams can help individuals with immigration questions by connecting them to resources. Care teams can also share emergency planning materials.

Policy Advocacy

The Immigrant Coalition of RI and their member organizations advocate for immigrants on issues include workplace non-discrimination, fair pay, immigration enforcement and more. Their volunteer opportunities page has information about both policy and direct service volunteer opportunities.

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