ENROOT

Seeking medical care is a right. Undocumented families should go to doctors offices, hospitals, and emergency rooms without fear that doing so will result in information sharing with ICE or USCIS, detention, deportation, or a public charge mark. Undocumented families should also know that seeking medical care related to Covid-19 will not appear in an individual’s public charge analysis.

Click here for more information about your rights in: English | Spanish | Haitian Creole | Amharic

We encourage you to look for free or low-cost health clinics using these healthcare directories:

Health Care for Undocumented People in Massachusetts During COVID19

Free Clinic Directory for uninsured people

Select “Middlesex County” if living in Somerville or Cambridge.

Select “Suffolk County” if living in the Boston area.

To find out more about accessing Health Care while undocumented, visit Refugees Welcome.

Immigration courts: all non-detainee hearings postponed until at least May 3rd. Detainee hearings are still taking place.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is closed until at least May 3rd. Click here to see USCIS COVID-19 Policies for rescheduling, submitting forms/applications, etc.

For more information and resources regarding immigration policy and enforcement updates, visit MIRA’s website and scroll down to “Coronavirus-related immigration policy and enforcement updates.”

COVID19 affects the new Public Charge Rule

What you need to know about how Covid-19 affects the new Public Charge Rule in English | Spanish | Haitian Creole | Amharic

From USCIS on the Public Charge Rule: It has been suspended for Covid-19 related healthcare costs, but not for the use of other social safety net benefits, but if your employer, school, or university has been shut down due to COVID-19, you can submit a statement and supporting documents asking to be exempted.

We also recommend looking at MIRA’s Resources for Workers in Massachusetts.

For more resources on immigrant workers' elligibility for unemployment benefits, click here.

Other Resources:

Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston

Legal Services for Massachusetts during COVID-19

If you do not have an immigration attorney, you can contact any of these organizations for help.

General mental health resources can be found on Enroot's Mental Health Page. Below are mental health resources specifically for undocumented youth and their families:

De Novo Center for Justice and Healingis for folks who are uninsured or having difficulty accessing affordable counseling through their insurance. Fees range from $2 to $60 per visit. No one is turned away due to inability to pay. Certain refugee and immigrant victims of crime such as domestic violence, political trauma and torture, are able to receive counseling and social services free of charge.

If you are in need of legal or counseling services, call Intake and Referral Line at (617) 661-1010 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Virtual wellness gathering for undocumented young people hosted by Liliana Campos of Immigrants Rising on Sundays and Wednesdays from 8:00-9:00 EST (5:00-6:00PST). Register here.

Individuals who are not eligible for SNAP can apply for their eligible household members, such as U.S. citizen children. Note that SNAP benefits are factored into public charge determinations. You should speak with your immigration attorney before applying. If you do not have an immigration attorney, you can contact any of these organizations for help.

Sadly, undocumented folks will not receive money from the government's COVID-19 stimulus package. To see other funds you can apply for and check your eligibility, visit Enroot's Financial Resources Page.

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