On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that some people who came to the U.S. as children can ask for deferred action for two years, which can be renewed. They can also apply for work permits. Deferred action means they won't be removed from the country for that time, but it doesn't lead to permanent lawful status.

The Status of DACA (updated September 2024):

September 13, 2023

On September 13, 2023, a Texas court ruled again that DACA is illegal but will let the program and status renewals continue for now. The government appealed the case to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in November 2023. For the latest information on DACA, visit the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) or Informed Immigrant. Additionally, we will continue to post updates on the HRCP Facebook page. 

People with DACA (as of July 16, 2021) or whose DACA expired less than a year ago can still apply to renew it. Advance parole for current DACA recipients is also still available. You may also visit the USCIS website at uscis.gov/DACA to learn more.

Visit Temporary Protected Status, more commonly known as TPS, to learn more about the program, find the latest announcements, timelines, and more.

The American financial system can be complicated, but there are many resources to help you achieve your financial goals.

Start with the HRCP Financial Empowerment Division. They offer resources to improve your financial situation and build wealth. Here’s what they provide:

• Financial Navigation & Consumer Protection: If you’ve experienced wage theft, fraud, or need help with financial assistance, contact them at (720) 913-1900 or CFPD@denvergov.org.
• Financial Empowerment Centers: BankOn Denver offers free financial coaching and tax services at 11 locations in Denver. For help, call (720) 944-2498 or email FEC@denvergov.org.

Statement from HRCP and HRCP Immigrant & Refugee Affairs

“Many Denver residents – our family, friends and neighbors – are feeling the immense weight and fear of the Trump Administration’s continued threats of ICE raids. The Denver Agency for Human Rights & Community Partnerships and the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs want to ensure that all Denver residents, regardless of immigration status, understand they have rights and protections under the law. We encourage residents to look out for and check in on each other and to share Know Your Immigrant Rights information.

Denver is a welcoming city that is fortunate to have a caring community and a broad network of organizations that come together to provide resources for those who seek help as well as a place to report any concerns about ICE activity, please visit the American Friends Service Committee for more."

Resources:

• Know Your Rights in America –

  If you are approached by federal immigration enforcement agents, such as ICE, be aware that you have rights, regardless of your legal status. Download and share our fact sheet in multiple languages to learn more. Please be aware that ICE will NEVER ask for any kind of payment. If they do, they may be ICE imposters. Call the Colorado Rapid Response Network and report the encounter with ICE at 1-844-864-8341. Resources available in: English(PDF, 496KB), Spanish(PDF, 507KB), Vietnamese(PDF, 726KB), Arabic(PDF, 593KB) & Amharic(PDF, 528KB).

• Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund
• American Immigration Lawyers Association Raid Resources

Latest News on Public Charge 

The 2019 public charge rule ended on March 9, 2021, after several federal court ruling and the federal government choosing not to appeal. On March 15, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security officially removed it from federal regulations. The current rule follows a 1999 memo that explains what "public charge" means.   

What is Public Charge?

“Public Charge” is a term used by U.S. immigration officials to refer to a person who is considered likely to become ‘‘primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either (1) the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or (2) institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.’’ An immigrant who is seen as likely to rely on government assistance may be denied entry to the U.S. or a green card.

It does not apply to humanitarian immigrants like refugees, asylees, survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, special immigrant juveniles, and some individuals paroled allowed into the U.S. A complete list is in 8 CFR §212.23(a) as published at 84 Fed. Reg. 41504. Refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, survivors of trafficking (T visa), domestic violence (VAWA), TPS and SIJS holders, and other serious crimes (U visa) are excluded from “public charge”, as well as people applying for U.S. citizenship.

"What is Public Charge?" Fact Sheets: Available in English(PDF, 127KB), Amharic(PDF, 198KB), Arabic(PDF, 240KB), Burmese(PDF, 229KB), Chinese (simplified)(PDF, 224KB), Dari(PDF, 642KB), Karen(PDF, 115KB), Nepali(PDF, 182KB), Russian(PDF, 219KB), Somali(PDF, 162KB), Spanish(PDF, 170KB), Swahili(PDF, 153KB) and Vietnamese(PDF, 282KB).

Key Resource Websites:

USCIS Public Charge rule information

Protecting Immigrant Families

ORR Exempted Immigrant Groups from the Public Charge rule - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (PDF)

 Public Charge Information - Colorado Department of Human Services

www.justice.gov/eoir/access-eoir-initiative

Legal Immigration Resources Questions about eligibility and application? Visit this USCIS page for more information.

Looking for a qualified immigration attorney? Visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) search page. 

Community partners that host Citizenship info sessions and workshops:

Denver Public Library

• Online English conversation practice
• Help practicing for Citizenship test
• Homework help, and more!
• Visit denverlibrary.org/services-immigrants for a program schedule or to make an appointment.

Lutheran Family Services - Rocky Mountains

• Assistance and support for those applying for citizenship using an online platform (Go to Citizenshipworks to start the process).
• Free mentoring for those studying for the naturalization civic and English exam.
• For questions on applying for citizenship or to register for the Mentorship program, please contact anastasia.delcapio@lfsrm.org via email or call/text (720) 316-5621.

How To Protect Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft

Personal Information
Key personal information to protect includes:

• Social Security Number
• Alien Registration Number
• Banking Information: checking account and credit or debit card numbers
• Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) for debit and other cards
• Login information or passwords for unemployment or other government services 

Safe places and people to share personal information 

• You can safely share personal information at the doctor’s office, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and schools. These locations are required to keep your personal information safe.
• Neighbors, friends, faith community, organizations, and others who may want to help, are not required by law to protect your personal information.
• Ask a trusted person or a safe place like a nonprofit, government agency, or school.

When is it NOT safe to share personal information

• Don't share personal information if someone approaches you unexpectedly, like at your door, on the street, or through phone calls, emails, or social media.
• A helper who asks for payment, as many public programs are free to apply.
• Other community members who are worried about whether a certain person or group is helpful.

Download the informational flyer:

• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (English)(PDF, 305KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Arabic)(PDF, 261KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Burmese)(PDF, 298KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Dari)(PDF, 576KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Rohingya)(PDF, 288KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Somali)(PDF, 484KB)
• "Protecting Yourself From Fraud & Identity Theft" - Flyer (Spanish)(PDF, 492KB)

Resources If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

• Colorado Department of Labor and Employment 
  https://cdle.colorado.gov/fraud-prevention
• U.S. Colorado Attorney General Office 
  https://stopfraudcolorado.gov/fraud-center/identity-theft
  (800) 222-4444, option 9
• Denver District Attorney Identify Theft 
  https://www.denverda.org/identity-theft (additional resources on this page)
  (720) 913-9179
• Federal Trade Commission 
  https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/identity-theft
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 
  https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
  (855) 411-2372

For questions or assistance, please contact:

HRCP Financial Empowerment - Consumer Financial Protection Unit
(720) 913-1900 or (720) 944-2498

Search a database of immigrant and refugee resources through Mile High United Way's 2-1-1.

Newcomer and Migrant Support Website

My City Academy YouTube Playlist

Welcoming Newcomers is available on the My City Academy YouTube Playlist available in English, Dari, and Pashto in response to Afghan evacuees' recent arrival to the Denver metro area. Also available are previous recordings from MCA resident track.

Afghan Newcomer Legal Information Resource Guide

| د قانوني معلوماتو د سرچینې لارښود | د ﻗﺎﻧﻮﻧﻲ ﻣﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎﺗﻮ د ﺳﺮﭼﯿﻨﯥ ﻻر

• Dari: راﻫﻨﻤﺎی ﻣﻨﺎﺑﻊ اﻃﻼﻋﺎت ﺣﻘﻮﻗﯽ(PDF, 4MB)
• Pashto: د قانوني معلوماتو د سرچینې لارښود(PDF, 2MB)

Uniting for Ukraine

On April 25, 2022, the federal government launched a new program to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion. Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for certain Ukrainian citizens and their immediate relatives who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole. Ukrainians participating in this program must have a supporter in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States. 

For more information about this new program click here: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/uniting-for-ukraine   

Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP)