On May 31, 2022, The White House issued a Proclamation on National Immigrant Heritage Month, an occasion celebrated annually in June. An excerpt from the Proclamation reads:
The United States is a Nation of immigrants — shaped by the courageous people from around the world who leave their homes, lives, and loved ones to seek refuge and opportunity on our shores. Their sacrifices and entrepreneurial spirit have contributed to the rich tapestry that has defined the character of our country for generations. Since our founding, the very idea of America as a Nation of limitless possibilities has been nurtured and advanced by immigrants. During National Immigrant Heritage Month, we honor the contributions of immigrants to our great Nation and celebrate their profound impact.
Although June is behind us, the recognition of and esteem for our immigrant neighbors, colleagues, and friends carries on. In keeping with our commitment to promoting open and equal access to justice for all, we at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library have assembled a list of online resources to help answer questions regarding the United States immigration process. Some of the resources provided are available to anyone with a web browser, while others are accessible through the law library, either remotely or on-site.
Web Resources
ImmigrationHelp.org: This Harvard-backed 501(c)(3) aims to “help immigrants find freedom, opportunity, and love in the United States - without the high cost of an attorney.” Visit the site to learn more about the free immigration legal aid services provided, including free document prep with easy-to-use web tools. Explore an extensive library of “Guides” on Asylum, Citizenship and Naturalization, DACA, Green Cards, Immigrant Visas, K-1 Fiancé Visas, Tourist Visas, Work Permits, and more.
Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative: HILSC is a collection of non-profit legal service providers, outreach and advocacy organizations, law school legal clinics, public agencies, and private foundations whose mission is to address the lack of legal services for low-income immigrants in the Houston area. Visit the HILSC Legal Resources page to find basic information on immigrant benefits and relief, listservs to join, and a directory of organizations that provide practice materials in the areas of asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, DACA, U- and T- visas, and VAWA.
National Immigrant Justice Center: NIJC provides legal consultations and representation for low-income immigrants seeking legal relief in a number of areas, including asylum, DACA, citizenship, permanent residency, and visas, and for a variety of special immigrant populations, such as victims of human trafficking, LGBTQ immigrants, and unaccompanied minors.
Immigrant Legal Resource Center: The Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s main objective is to educate and assist attorneys and legal advocates in their work for immigrants and their families. However, the ILRC Community Resources page features resources for those in need of immigration services, including an Immigration Preparedness Toolkit and a Know Your Rights Toolkit, as well as FAQs & Explainers and additional Toolkits & Reports specifically for Texas.
Immigration Advocates Network: Powered by probono.net, the Immigration Advocates Network (IAN) seeks to increase access to justice for low-income immigrants and to strengthen the capacity of organizations that serve them. The IAN National Immigration Legal Services Directory provides links to service providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included. Users can locate service providers in Texas and in the Houston area. Further search refinements include types of legal assistance provided, populations served, and languages spoken. Additional options include the ability to map results, create a PDF, email, or print-friendly list of organizations, and refer others to an organization via email.
Harris County Hainsworth Law Library Resources
Westlaw: Access the latest immigration news and analysis, as well as immigration law treatises, and official immigration forms.
Lexis: Access popular immigration titles, including Benders Immigration Law Bulletin and Benders Immigration Case Reporter.
Both Westlaw and Lexis can be accessed on our computers in the Law Library. Free, temporary remote access to Westlaw and Lexis is also available via our Remote Database Access page.
EBSCO: Access U.S. Immigration Made Easy, a self-help, plain-language legal guide to basic immigration law, in our new Ebsco database (Legal Information Reference Center), which is also available via our Remote Database Access page.
Texas State Law Library Resources
AILALink, from the American Immigration Lawyers Association, provides access to over 100 AILA publications including:
Also available on AILALink are:
Forms from government agencies in a fillable PDF format
Statutes, regulations, and court decisions
Board of Immigration Appeals decisions
Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals cases
Important immigration memos, cables, and letters from government agencies
If you are a Texas resident and are not already registered as a patron of the Texas State Law Library, sign up online. Access is permitted for a period of 6 months, with the option to re-enroll on the TSLL library card renewal page.