Project Open Arms

TPS and Federal Updates

Updated as of January 5, 2026, this general information is not legal advice and may change due to future announcements or litigation. Temporary Protected Status  (TPS) allows individuals from certain countries to remain in the United States if it is unsafe for them to return to their home country due to a humanitarian emergency there. Some announcements about TPS from the federal government may impact the status of many in our schools, leaving them with questions about their own immigration status. Constituents with questions should call the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 for information on how and where to find City-funded, free, and safe immigration legal help. Additionally, if a NYCPS student or family member has questions regarding immigration supports, they should reach out to their school principal. We would also like to highlight updated MOIA resources:

• Immigrant Caregiver flyer- Resources for families facing separation of a loved one and information on how to prepare standby guardianship for children.
• Removal Order flyer-  Information regarding legal assistance to those detained, or at imminent risk of detention and deportation, who may not have the right to see an immigration judge or are otherwise facing a fast-track to removal.
• Public Charge webpage  -  Following the federal administration's announcement on public charge, we want to remind community members that many health and social services are available to New Yorkers no matter your immigration status or ability to pay.
• Immigrant Resource Road Map  - New Yorkers can now access the Immigrant Resource Road Map in 50 languages. Scroll to the bottom of the webpage to download a copy. Please note: if you do not see your language represented, you may request for our office to translate the document by emailing  mediabox@moia.nyc.gov .

Supports

Legal Supports

The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) provides the following information and services to support immigrant New Yorkers navigate the U.S. immigration system and build their lives and futures in New York. Families can call the City-funded, free, and safe MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365, or call 311 and say, "Immigration Legal," between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday, to get:

• Answers to immigration policy questions
• Information on how and where to find City-funded, free, and safe immigration legal help

Please note that the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline does not schedule people for legal appointments directly. If families would like information on how to find a provider that speaks your language and is geographically close to them, please call 800-354-0365 or visit MOIA’s website which lists MOIA’s current partners:

MOIA Legal Resources page

Schools may also wish to share these additional publicly available resources for families looking for legal assistance.     

New Americans page Immigration Advocates page NYCourts.gov 'Find a Lawyer' Resource City Bar Justice Center Legal hotline

Health Supports

Did you know your child has 30 days to complete their vaccinations in order to attend school? If a student is new to the country/state, is living in temporary housing, AND has an upcoming appointment, there is also an extended grace period (90 days).

More information may be found on the immunizations page .

The links below show primary care clinics in all boroughs that provide required vaccinations at no cost to families.

• EAST BRONX
• SOUTH BRONX
• WEST BRONX
• CENTRAL & EASTERN BROOKLYN
• NORTH & NORTHWEST BROOKLYN
• SOUTHERN BROOKLYN
• LOWER MANHATTAN
• MID MANHATTAN
• UPPER MANHATTAN
• NORTHEAST QUEENS & FAR ROCKAWAYS
• NORTHWEST & CENTRAL QUEENS
• STATEN ISLAND

Basic Needs Supports

Care Closets (click the link to see what they look like!) are created in your child's school to provide basic necessities that your family may need. Such as, school supplies, clothing, non-perishable food, hygiene products and much more. You can work with your parent coordinator to schedule a time to discuss what needs you may have or to visit their care closet!

Food Pantries: View the list of local food pantry locations to find a pantry near you. Contact individual pantries to confirm schedule.

Mental Health Supports

• Mental Health guide for caregivers

• Call or text  NYC Well at 988.

Special Education Supports

Special Education Family Resources - Special Education Supports : links to support students with special educational needs

Newly Arriving Students with Disabilities Entering NYC Public Schools Resource

Older Youth Supports

The document below is an Road Map which highlights the various options our students who are 18 - 21 years old in deciding which type of school they would like to attend for their educational careers.

English , Spanish , Chinese , Korean ,  French ,  Haitian Creole ,  Urdu , Arabic ,  Bangla ,  Russian

Enrollment/Family Welcome Centers

• Enrollment/Family Welcome Center : information on how to enroll children into school.

Language Supports/Translation

Work with the Office of Language Access to access remote language support.

Immigrant Family Advocacy Guide (in English)

This guide's purpose is to:

1. Promote an awareness of families' power and agency to lead in their schools and child's education.
2. Equip immigrant families with their rights and best practices to remain engaged in sustainable ways.
3. Encourages schools to consider families as equal partners in the success of the school community.

Immigrant Family Advocacy Guide translated into 13 languages .

Families may visit schools.nyc.gov/hello for additional language access resources.

NYCPS Language Services - Lays out all language supports for families.

Our Partners

Below is a list of partners we work closely with to provide various resources and supports!

• United Way is one of the world's largest privately funded charities that work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic mobility, and health resources.
• Hispanic Federation is a Latino nonprofit membership organization that empowers and advances the Hispanic community, supports Hispanic families, and strengthens Latino institutions through work in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, & the environment.
• Gambian Youth is a nonprofit organization that helps build a society of ambitious and confident youth, to serve as future leaders.
• Advocates for Children is a nonprofit that tackles school-based discrimination and/or academic failure due to poverty, disability, race, ethnicity, immigrant or English Language Learner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, or involvement in the foster care or juvenile justice systems.
• NY Immigration Coalition is a nonprofit multi-racial and multi-sector NYIC membership base that includes grassroots and nonprofit community organizations, religious and academic institutions, labor unions, as well as legal and socio economic justice organizations. The NYIC not only establishes a forum for immigrant groups to voice their concerns, but also provides a platform for collective action to drive positive social change.
• El Puente Leaders for Peace and Justice is a youth- centered human rights organization, focusing on education, the arts, environmental justice and wellness to inspire leadership for social justice.
• Committee for Hispanic Children & Family provides programs that reach underserved, low- and moderate- income children and families throughout New York City and the home-based child care providers who serve them. They are one of the few Latino organizations in New York that combine direct service with policy work to amplify minority voices at the local, state, and national levels.
• Coalition for Community Schools Excellence goals are targeted toward advancing equity in community schools, sustaining the community school strategy, & extended learning time with the help of community based organizations.
• Make the Road NY focuses on legal services, education, training, and college access through their various programs that they offer. Such programs include adult literacy, civic engagement, community organization, school programs, and leadership training.
• Children's Aid helps children in poverty to succeed and thrive by providing comprehensive support to children, youth, and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods.
• Mayor's Office of Immigration Affairs/ActionNYC recognizes that immigrant New Yorkers and their children make up a significant proportion of the City's population. Our charter-mandated responsibilities include advising and assisting the mayor, council, and other agencies on programs and policies related to and designed for immigrant New Yorkers; tracking state and federal policy and law that will impact immigrant New Yorkers; increasing access to city programs, benefits, and services by conducting outreach; and helping advise on the legal service needs of immigrants. MOIA is also tasked to work with the relevant city agencies to address the needs of immigrant crime victims and witnesses, including by working with agencies on the issuance of U visa certifications and T visa declarations.
• Counseling in Schools currently provides New York City schools support for 7,000 students in 94 programs and community shelters. Professional development services include peer support to affirm the strengths of teachers and administrators in their commitment to education.
• City Year a national service program to unite young adults from diverse backgrounds for a demanding year of full-time community service.
• Manhattan Youth provides the highest quality childcare and After-School programs plus academic, recreational and cultural activities for children, families and individuals who live or work in Manhattan, regardless of income. Their programs stimulate, challenge and strengthen children, teens, adults, seniors and families. Their primary activities are After-School programs, Summer Camps, Aquatics, and a variety of classes and programs at our Community Center.

FAQ's

Does NYC Public School ask families for their countries of origin or their immigration status?

We do NOT ask families about country of origin or asylum-seeking status.

Can families only utilize the enrollment center in their borough where they live?

Families can visit any Family Welcome Center throughout the city. Enrollment Staff is here to assist and enroll students regardless of their district.​

When can students enroll for school?

Family Welcome Centers enroll students year-round, just as schools do, typically as soon as they arrive at our office. Our goal is to make the enrollment process smooth and accessible.​

Do families need an enrollment letter to enroll in their zoned elementary or middle school?

Families do not need an enrollment assignment letter to register at their zoned elementary or middle school. In fact, they can go directly to their zoned school with proper registration documents.​