Who this helps: Any immigrant New Yorker — documented or undocumented, regardless of country of origin — who needs to know what legal options they have. Asylum seekers, DACA recipients, green card applicants, TPS holders, U-visa candidates, unaccompanied minors, and people facing removal proceedings can all access ActionNYC at no cost.
If you are navigating the U.S. immigration system in 2026, the single most important phone number to know in New York City is the ActionNYC hotline: 800-354-0365. You can also dial 311 and say “ActionNYC.” Both routes connect to the same free, city-funded legal screening program — and the process is designed to be safe, confidential, and available in your language.
What ActionNYC Actually Does
ActionNYC is a program run through the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). It provides comprehensive immigration legal screenings — meaning a trained, credentialed legal representative reviews your situation and tells you what immigration benefits or protections you may qualify for. When a case is straightforward, ActionNYC partners can represent you directly. When a case is complex, you get a referral to a trusted nonprofit provider — not a for-profit notario or consultant.
That distinction matters. NYC has a long history of immigration services fraud, in which dishonest operators charge immigrants thousands of dollars for paperwork they never file. ActionNYC is the city’s official, vetted, no-cost alternative.
The 2026 Funding Surge — Why Now Is the Time to Call
New York City’s Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget included a $76.3 million investment in free legal assistance for immigrants, bringing the total annual immigrant legal services budget to approximately $120.7 million — a record level. The expansion includes funding for pro bono representation for people facing deportation, assistance with immigration benefit applications, and dedicated funding for unaccompanied minor immigrants in removal proceedings.
In July 2025, Mayor Adams also announced the creation of the Mayor’s Office to Facilitate Pro Bono Legal Assistance, specifically tasked with connecting New Yorkers to free legal services and expanding the supply of attorney hours available to immigrant clients. For the average New Yorker, the practical effect is this: there are more appointments available right now than there have been in years.
How to Schedule an ActionNYC Appointment
Per MOIA’s official guidance, the process looks like this:
- Call the hotline at 800-354-0365, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Alternatively, dial 311 and say “ActionNYC.”
- Tell the operator your preferred language. ActionNYC works in more than a dozen languages. You will be matched with a provider who speaks yours.
- Answer a short set of intake questions. The hotline staff use your answers to find an appointment slot at a participating site near you.
- Show up to your appointment. Sites include Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library locations, along with community-based organizations.
Your appointment will typically involve a legal screening, a discussion of your options, and — if appropriate — direct representation or a referral to a partner provider.
What to Bring to the Appointment
Because documentation needs vary by case type, the hotline staff will tell you what to bring when you schedule. In general, useful documents include:
- Any immigration documents you already have (passport, visa, I-94, green card, work permit, prior application receipts)
- Any court or USCIS correspondence (notices to appear, biometrics appointments, denials, approvals)
- Proof of residence in New York City (utility bill, lease, IDNYC card)
- Proof of family relationships where relevant (marriage certificates, birth certificates for children)
- Any record of interactions with ICE, CBP, or local law enforcement
Do not worry if you do not have everything. The screening can proceed with partial documentation, and part of the provider’s job is to help you figure out how to request missing records.
Is It Really Confidential?
Per MOIA’s public guidance, any information you provide when requesting or receiving ActionNYC services is confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside the ActionNYC program without your consent. The program is explicitly designed to be safe for undocumented New Yorkers. That said, if you have specific concerns, raise them with the hotline operator at the start of the call — they can address your questions before you commit to an appointment.
Other Free Legal Providers You Should Know About
ActionNYC is the front door, but NYC’s immigrant legal services network extends further. These organizations also provide free immigration legal help:
- The Legal Aid Society Immigration Law Unit: legalaidnyc.org/get-help/immigration-deportation
- New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): nylag.org/immigration
- Legal Services NYC: legalservicesnyc.org/resources/immigration-asylum
- Immigrant Justice Corps (IJC): partners with libraries citywide
- Catholic Charities Community Services — one of the largest free immigration legal service providers in New York
Avoid Immigration Services Fraud
Per the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, common immigration fraud schemes include: individuals claiming to be attorneys who charge fees and never file paperwork; scammers impersonating ICE agents; and businesses promising work visas they cannot actually provide. If anyone pressures you to pay cash, promises a specific immigration outcome, or discourages you from consulting with a licensed attorney, that is a red flag. You can report immigration services fraud through 311 — say “Immigration Fraud” or “Immigration Service Provider Complaint.”
How to Take Action
- Call ActionNYC: 800-354-0365, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM. Or dial 311 and say “ActionNYC.”
- MOIA main page: nyc.gov/site/immigrants
- Report immigration fraud: Call 311 or file at portal.311.nyc.gov.
- Know Your Rights materials are available free at nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/know-your-rights.page.
- Get an IDNYC card if you do not already have one — it is accepted as ID across city agencies and does not require proof of immigration status. Appointments at nyc.gov/idnyc.
The Bottom Line
ActionNYC exists because New York City made a decision that access to immigration legal counsel should not depend on your income, your country of origin, or your documentation status. The program works, it is confidential, and in 2026 it is funded at record levels. If you or someone in your family has an immigration question — even one that feels too early or too small to ask — make the call. The screening is free, and knowing your options is the first step to everything that comes after.
Immigration law changes frequently, and federal policy continues to shift. The information in this article is general and is not legal advice. Verify current rules and your specific options with an immigration attorney through ActionNYC or one of the free legal providers listed above.
