How to Use NYC’s 311 “Immigration Legal” Shortcut: The Free Hotline That Connects You to a Real Attorney (Not a Notario)

Most New York immigrants do not know that calling 311 and saying “Immigration Legal” connects them to a city-funded, free, confidential hotline staffed with vetted experts — not notarios, not scammers. Here is exactly how to use it, what to expect, and the other verified MOIA resources every immigrant New Yorker should have on speed dial.

Who This Helps: Immigrant New Yorkers in any borough, regardless of status, who need legal help and cannot afford a private attorney — plus family members, employers, faith leaders, and neighbors trying to help someone navigate the system safely.

If you are an immigrant in New York City and you need legal help — for asylum, a green card application, a deportation defense, a work authorization question, or just to find out what options you have — there is one phone call that should come before any other.

Dial 311. Say the words “Immigration Legal.”

That’s it. You will be transferred directly to the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Immigration Legal Support Hotline — a free, city-funded, confidential resource staffed by vetted intake specialists who can connect you to a real attorney or Department of Justice-accredited representative. The direct number is 800-354-0365, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Why the 311 Shortcut Matters

Immigrant New Yorkers lose thousands of dollars every year to notarios — people who present themselves as immigration consultants but have no legal authority to practice law in the United States. Bad legal advice from a notario can not only cost you money — it can get your case denied, your work permit revoked, or you placed in deportation proceedings.

The 311 “Immigration Legal” shortcut bypasses all of that. Every attorney and accredited representative in the MOIA network is vetted by the city. The screening is free. The advice is real. Your information is confidential — MOIA does not share immigration status with federal authorities.

In 2025 alone, MOIA fielded over 25,000 calls through the immigrant hotline and conducted nearly 11,000 comprehensive legal screenings through its Immigration Legal Support Centers, according to the office’s own data.

What Happens When You Call

You explain your situation. Asylum, green card, citizenship, work permit, family member detained, ICE contact — whatever it is, you describe it in your own words. Translation is available in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Haitian Creole, Bengali, Arabic, French, Korean, and more.
The hotline screens you. They ask basic questions to determine what kind of help you need and whether you qualify for MOIA’s free services.
You get a referral. If you qualify, they schedule you with one of more than 125 MOIA-funded legal providers across the five boroughs — many located in libraries, schools, public hospitals, and community centers.
You meet the attorney. The attorney or accredited representative reviews your case in depth, free of charge.

Who Qualifies for Free MOIA Legal Help

According to MOIA’s published eligibility rules, immigrants who reside in New York City whose annual household income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible to receive services. In 2026, that is roughly $30,120 for an individual or $62,400 for a family of four. Income guidelines update annually — confirm at nyc.gov/immigrants.

Even if your income is too high for the free services, MOIA can refer you to low-cost or sliding-scale providers — call the hotline and ask.

Other Verified Free Legal Resources

The MOIA hotline is the gateway, but it is not the only door. The following organizations also provide free immigration legal help directly:

The Legal Aid Society Immigration Practice: 212-577-3300. They handle deportation defense, family reunification, citizenship, and work-permit cases for low-income clients.
Legal Services NYC: 917-661-4500. Free legal help across housing, immigration, public benefits, and family law.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): Multiple programs including the Standby Guardianship Project for immigrant parents who want to designate a guardian for their U.S. citizen children. Visit nylag.org.
Immigration Law and Justice New York: Visit iljny.org — pro bono representation network.

For Questions That Aren’t Just Legal

The MOIA general hotline at 212-788-7654, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., handles non-legal questions: how to enroll your child in school regardless of immigration status, how to access health care, where to find ESL classes, how to get an IDNYC card, and what city services are available to you.

If ICE Shows Up

You have rights regardless of your immigration status, and MOIA publishes the official New York City Know Your Rights guidance at nyc.gov/immigrants/legal-resources/know-your-rights. The core principles:

You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.
You do not have to open the door to ICE unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge — an ICE administrative warrant (Form I-200 or I-205) does not authorize entry.
You have the right to speak to a lawyer before signing anything.
If you are detained, call the Legal Aid Society Immigration Hotline as soon as you are able.

How to Take Action Today

Save these numbers in your phone right now: 311 (the shortcut), 800-354-0365 (direct MOIA legal line), 212-577-3300 (Legal Aid Society), 212-788-7654 (MOIA general).
Share this article with one immigrant New Yorker you know who may not yet know about the 311 shortcut.
If you have a current case, gather your documents before your appointment — passport, any prior immigration paperwork, deadlines or notices you have received, and a list of dates and events relevant to your case.
If you are uncertain whether you qualify for any benefit, call anyway. The screening is free and often reveals options people did not know they had.

Avoid These Red Flags

Anyone who asks for cash payment before reviewing your case, promises a guaranteed outcome, tells you to lie on a government form, refuses to give you copies of documents you sign, or claims to have a “special relationship” with USCIS or immigration judges is operating outside the law. Report immigration fraud to the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection at 311 or the New York State Office of the Attorney General Immigration Services Fraud Unit.

Immigration law changes frequently. Verify current rules with an immigration attorney before making any decision about your case.

The Bottom Line

New York City has built the largest publicly funded immigration legal services network in the United States. It is free. It is confidential. It is available in dozens of languages. The single fastest way to access it is to pick up the phone and say two words: “Immigration Legal.”

Verified resources used in this article: