Immigration - United African Organization

UAO aims to serve as the African Community Resource Clearinghouse wherein constituents gather, access information, share experiences, exchange views, and coordinate organizational capacity development. UAO's hub of resources on this website is intended to assist community members in navigating services, programs and resources that are available to help them cope better in the United States.

The Chicago CityKey ID Program

March 4, 2021AdminBlog, Immigration, Resources

The Chicago CityKey is an optional ID that residents of Chicago can get to access city services. This helps people who are undocumented or experiencing homelessness who might have problems getting or maintaining an ID. Learn more: https://www.chicityclerk.com/chicagocitykey

What you can do with your Chicago CityKey ID

The Chicago CityKey ID serves as a 4-in-1 card by serving as a valid, government-issued ID card, your Chicago Public Library card, Ventra card and pharmaceutical discount card. Additionally, the CityKey provides cardholders with discounts to participating museums, theaters, sporting events, restaurants, and retail stores and businesses across Chicago. As part of the CityKey program, CityKey cardholders will be able to access a pharmaceutical discount through a pharmacy benefit management program called the Chicago Rx Card. The Chicago Rx Card provides discounts of up to 80% on prescription drugs, dental, vision, veterinarian, and lab and diabetes supplies/equipment.

You can access:

Public transit (Ventra),
Chicago Public Libraries,
Chicago Rx Card
Services from hospitals and clinics,
Services from city departments,
Services from community banks and credit unions, and
Discounts for recreation and entertainment, sports games, cultural institutions, and goods at partnering businesses.

Documents needed to apply

Proof that you live in the City of Chicago
Proof of identity (Foreign Passport, Birth Certificate)

CityKey Application Fees

According to the office of the City Clerk, the CityKey is free for the first 100,000 applicants. After that, there will be a fee.

The fees are different based on age:

18 years and under: $5
19-64 years old: $10
65 years old and over: free

The applications fees are waived for:

Low-income residents,
Individuals experiencing homelessness,
Domestic violence survivors,
Members of the re-entry community,
Veterans, and
One Summer Chicago participant.

2020 Travel Ban

February 3, 2020NancyAdvocacy, Blog, Immigration

On January 31, 2020, the Trump administration issued a presidential proclamation that expands the Travel Ban to nationals of 6 new countries: Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan. This is effective 12:01 am EST on February 21, 2020.

Know Your Rights

July 13, 2019NancyBlog, Immigration, Resources

UAO hosts “Know Your Rights” information sessions in our communities. Click Here to request a training.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

KNOW YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS

KNOW YOUR SAFETY PLAN!

Temporary Protected Status Renewal – Haiti

February 23, 2018NancyBlog, Immigration, Resources, Temporary Protected Status

UAO Reaffirms Dignity of All Immigrants and Refugees Amid Racist Comments from White House

January 12, 2018AdminAdvocacy, Blog, Immigration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2018

CONTACTS:

Nancy Asirifi-Otchere, United African Organization, 312-949-9980

United African Organization Reaffirms Dignity of All Immigrants and Refugees Amid Racist Comments from White House

United African Organization condemns President Trump’s derogatory remarks yesterday about Black immigrants from Africa and Haiti as shocking and shameful. Once again, refugees and immigrants are faced with an attack on our basic dignity.

For the past year, we have faced executive orders banning refugees and individuals from African and Muslim countries from entering the country. Many Africans coming into the USA were detained and, in many cases, sent back. We have seen the dismantling of the U.S. refugee program, the rescinding of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands Black and Brown immigrants terminated.

Nancy Asirifi-Otchere issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s offensive comments from the White House:

“Dismissing people from countries whose populations who are not white, as ‘not welcome’ is racist. Yesterday’s remarks from the White House do not represent American values and disrespects the humanity of millions of people.

We are disgusted by the president’s plan to use undocumented young people as bargaining chips to scrap current legal family-based immigration and the diversity visa program. These are some of the limited programs that allow Africans to make the US a new home.”

United African Organization stands with all marginalized communities and reaffirms the dignity of all immigrants and refugees. Additionally,

We Demand a Clean Dream Act that provides a pathway to legal status.

We Demand Protection for beneficiaries of of Temporary Protected Status

We Oppose the Family Ban

We Oppose Elimination of the Diversity Visa Program

We Oppose Separation of Families

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Scholarships for DACA Renewal Applications

September 15, 2017NancyBlog, Immigration, Undocumented Youth

The USCIS fee for a DACA Renewal Application is $495. For many, affording this fee is such a short time can be stressful and prevent them from renewing their applications. A number of organizations are offering scholarships to help DACA recipients who need to renew their applications before the October 25 deadline.

If you currently have DACA and your DACA benefits would expire before March 5, 2018, then you should submit an application to renew your DACA before October 5, 2017.

Get Help with the USCIS Fee of $495

Mission Asset Funds (MAF): Apply Here

Protection for All Movement: To Apply, Email protectionforall@gmail.com

The Mexican Consulate in Chicago is offering assistance from $300. To Apply, visit the Consulate, 204 S. Ashland Ave., or call its Protection Department at (312) 738-2023 during regular office hours by October 5th.

Undocumedia: To apply for a $495 scholarship, fill out this form.

UnDocuBlack Network: To Apply, email Patrice@undocublack.org OR out this form.

The Resurrection Project: To Apply, call 312-666-3062

Get Free Help Renewing Your DACA

There are many FREE workshops around you. Alternative call UAO on 312-949-9980.

DACA Recission – What You should Know

September 5, 2017NancyAdvocacy, Blog, Immigration, Resources, Undocumented Youth

The Trump administration announced that they are ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The future of nearly a million young people are on the line. Since 2012, the DACA program has opened doors for employment, opportunities for education, and provided protection from deportation for beneficiaries. It’s up to us to act now.

WHAT THIS MEANS

New Applicants:

New initial DACA applications will not be accepted after September 5, 2017. Your application must be received by September 5th to be considered for DACA as a new applicant. Text “DACA” to 630-524-4106 for a list of low cost legal service providers.

Work Permits:

If your DACA work permit expires before March 5, 2018, and you want to renew, DHS must receive your renewal application before October 5, 2017. Applications will not be accepted after October 5th. (Applicable only through October 5th)]
If your DACA work permit expires after March 5, 2018, you will not be able to apply to renew. Please consult an attorney to review your options.

Advance Parole:

If you are outside the country with advance parole, make sure to return right away and while your advance parole and EAD are valid. DHS has stated that it will generally honor previously granted advance paroles, but that it retains the authority to revoke or terminate an approved advance parole. The safest route is to return as soon as possible.
If you have been granted advance parole under DACA but have not yet left the United States, speak with an attorney to determine potential risks before doing anything.
As of today (September 5th), DHS is NOT granting any new applications for advance parole even if your DACA is still valid.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

If Your Work Permit Expires:

You have the right to work legally until your work permit’s expiration date.
Your employer does not have the right to ask you whether you are a DACA recipient or how you got your work permit.
Your employer does not have the right to fire you, put you on leave, or change your work status until after your work permit has expired. If your expiration date is nearing, your employer may ask you for an updated work permit but cannot take any action against you until after it is expired. (See info above about your potential eligibility to renew)

For more information about your rights as an employee see this advisory by the National Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org/issues/ daca/daca-and-workplace- rights/.

RESOURCES

Call the Family Support Hotline 1-855-435-7693 for a list of resources and support
Go to www.icirr.org/protection or www.icirr.org/proteccion (Spanish) for a list of resources