Know Your Rights: TPS Information and Legal Support
Whether you’re a U.S. citizen, green card holder, student on a visa, undocumented, you have legal rights. See our helpful resources.
The Commission on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship (CIRC) works to support Cambridge’s immigrant community. The Commission includes 11 volunteer Commissioners who are themselves immigrants or have experience serving immigrant communities. CIRC provides resources, organizes trainings and informational programs, and partners with other City departments and community providers. To support this work, the Immigrant Services Liaison conducts outreach across Cambridge, and meets regularly with service providers, immigrant groups, and individuals to inform them about the broad range of City and nonprofit resources available. View the Cambridge Immigrant Rights and Citizenship Commission Ordinance.
CIRC staff help immigrant residents with accessing local services and resources for:
- Housing
- Benefits
- ESOL classes
- Citizenship classes
- Legal services
- Counseling
CIRC also offers the following services:
- CIRC can coordinate a “Know Your Rights” (KYR) Training for your organization. They are provided by Immigration Attorneys from organization such as the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), the Political Asylum and Immigration/ Representation (PAIR) Project, and De Novo Center for Justice and Healing. Schedule a Know Your Rights training by contacting our office.
- CIRC provides “Red Cards” that list your rights that you can give to immigration officers. Red cards are available in Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish and Somali. Find them at KYR Trainings, in the CIRC Office, and by mail upon request. Please note: This guidance is not legal advice or a legal opinion of the City of Cambridge. You should consult with legal counsel about specific questions and concerns and to determine how the information in this material affects you.
Commission Vacancy
Serving on a City of Cambridge board, commission, or committee can be a rewarding way to contribute to the community and take part in the City’s decision-making on important matters. We are currently seeking applicants for vacancies on the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship, with an application deadline of August 28. Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/Apply. A cover letter and resume, or applicable experience, may be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact Program Manager Ester Farah at efarah@cambridgema.gov.
Monthly Meetings
CIRC meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 6 p.m. Meetings are held virtually and are open to the public.
Click here to register for the next meeting.
Click here to review minutes from previous meetings.
TPS for Haiti and Syria Has Ended: Resources and Legal Support
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for Haitian and Syrian nationals ended on July 27, 2026, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision. Individuals affected should seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative, review their rights and family-preparedness plans, and connect with trusted local organizations. For referrals, contact the MIRA Immigration Helpline at (508) 293-1871 or visit MassLRF.org.
Volunteer Immigration Attorneys Needed for Free Legal Clinics
We are seeking experienced immigration attorneys to volunteer with our free monthly Virtual Immigration Legal Screening Clinic, offered in partnership with the De Novo Center for Justice and Healing. Held on the third Wednesday of each month, the clinic provides community members with brief legal guidance and referrals, with interpretation and attorney supervision available.