Need advice/resource for students

[AMZJ 61]

I teach ESL at various school settings. Some of my students are asking me how I applied for my green card, but it's different for them as they have different circumstances. The particular situation that I am dealing with right now is a student asked me how he adjusts his legal status. I know there is paperwork but I feel like it's probably something a lawyer needs to help with. I do not know his legal status if he is undocumented, or refugee but he will turn 18 soon and has a younger sibling who I am also teaching. I have realized that I can't help them with the paperwork as it's too complex for me to deal with. Can someone please point me in the direction of a resource I can direct these type of students too? Most of them can only speak limited English as they are learning English at school with me. This is not the first student I have taught who has fled from violence. Some of them are registered and some of them are undocumented, some of them I don't know. They are good kids and really deserve a better life than this. 

Thank you.

[Boiler 45,516]

https://www.aila.org/

[Rocio0010 5,579]

I also want to add that, as much as you can help them and want to help them with immigration, you're their teacher. Do not mix stuff. 

Where are they from? Usually in bigger cities there are centers from their community that might offer some help.

[AMZJ 61]

 

6 minutes ago, Boiler said:

https://www.aila.org/

Thank you!

5 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

I also want to add that, as much as you can help them and want to help them with immigration, you're their teacher. Do not mix stuff. 

Where are they from? Usually in bigger cities there are centers from their community that might offer some help.

Yes this is why I came here to ask for a resource. I think as a teacher I can point them to a resource but it's going to be as far as I can go. My instinct is to help them, but I could get into a legal grey area so if I can point them in the direction of where to get information it would make me feel like I've helped as they can get the advice they need.

[Boiler 45,516]

I would imagine every student has a slightly different or sometimes completely different case.

 

As a general rule marriage to a US Citizen opens a lot of doors.

[Kanja 201]

What city are you in? If you are in NYC area and depending on the circumstances I have a few organizations I could refer to. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 hour ago, Kanja said:

What city are you in? If you are in NYC area and depending on the circumstances I have a few organizations I could refer to. 

That's exactly where I was getting to, if OP could share the city and where students are from we could all chime in with organization referrals.

[AMZJ 61]

10 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

That's exactly where I was getting to, if OP could share the city and where students are from we could all chime in with organization referrals.

My state is in my signature bar. Im in Kentucky. But we are rural so I'm looking for a resource online. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 minute ago, AMZJ said:

My state is in my signature bar. Im in Kentucky. But we are rural so I'm looking for a resource online. 

And where are your students from?

[AMZJ 61]

11 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

And where are your students from?

Colombia. Sorry I was replying during work. Thank you.

[Boiler 45,516]

Nothing special for Colombia

[AMZJ 61]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

I would imagine every student has a slightly different or sometimes completely different case.

 

As a general rule marriage to a US Citizen opens a lot of doors.

But not for school children.

[TBoneTX 45,289]

These organizations in Texas may be able to refer you to resources more locally:

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/legal-advocacy-organizations/immigrants

[AMZJ 61]

16 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

These organizations in Texas may be able to refer you to resources more locally:

https://guides.sll.texas.gov/legal-advocacy-organizations/immigrants

Thank you.

[Lemonslice 4,841]

https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/search?state=KY

 

Also, a lot of material here is useful no matter where your students are - https://miracoalition.org/resources/know-your-rights/