Be informed. Know your options.
Live prepared.
Legal Services, Education, & Community Empowerment
Legal Services & Family Preparedness
CIP helps immigrant individuals and families access trusted legal information, prepare for unexpected situations, and connect with reliable legal resources. Whether you are seeking support for yourself, a loved one, or someone you serve, our team is here to help.
All services are free of charge and are available in English & Spanish.
Call CIP for more information or to Request an Appointment:
630-708-0899
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CIP partners with immigration attorneys to provide free legal consultations for community members. These consultations help individuals better understand their immigration options, rights, and possible pathways forward. Attorneys can also answer questions about current immigration policies and available forms of relief.
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CIP helps individuals and families prepare for unexpected situations by creating emergency preparedness plans based on guidance provided by immigration attorneys. Planning ahead can help families feel more secure and informed during times of uncertainty.
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In partnership with attorneys, CIP offers free assistance with guardianship and power of attorney documents. These clinics help families identify trusted individuals who can care for children or manage personal affairs in the event of detention, illness, or family separation.
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CIP provides accompaniment support to help community members navigate important appointments and services with greater confidence. Whether attending legal, educational, healthcare, or other community-based appointments, our trained staff and volunteers help ensure individuals feel informed, supported, and connected to available resources.
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CIP offers free notary public services to help community members complete and certify important personal, educational, and administrative documents. Our team can witness signatures and notarize eligible documents in accordance with Illinois law.
Please note: Notary public services are not legal services and do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or assistance completing legal forms. A notary's role is limited to verifying identity and witnessing signatures on documents.
Community Education & Capacity Building
CIP partners with schools, community organizations, faith institutions, healthcare providers, businesses, and public agencies to deliver trusted immigration education and community trainings. Our workshops and presentations help communities access accurate information, strengthen support systems, and respond to evolving needs with confidence.
Training and presentations are available in English and Spanish and can be customized to meet the needs of your organization or audience.
Interested in scheduling a workshop or training? Contact CIP’s Director of Legal Services & Civic Engagement: Jael Mejia.
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CIP's Know Your Rights workshops provide community members with accurate, up-to-date information about their constitutional rights and available protections. These presentations help individuals and families better understand their rights and feel more informed, prepared, and empowered when navigating everyday situations and interactions with institutions.
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These presentations help individuals and families understand the importance of planning for unexpected situations and provide practical information about available tools and resources. Topics may include emergency preparedness, guardianship considerations, powers of attorney, and strategies for protecting children and loved ones during times of uncertainty.
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Immigrant communities are often targeted by scams, misinformation, and individuals falsely claiming to provide legal services. CIP's fraud prevention workshops help participants recognize common forms of immigration-related fraud, identify trustworthy resources, and learn how to protect themselves and their communities from exploitation.
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Designed for educators, service providers, healthcare professionals, employers, and community leaders, this presentation offers a practical overview of the U.S. immigration system and the challenges immigrant families may face. Participants gain a deeper understanding of immigration pathways, barriers to access, and strategies for creating more responsive and inclusive services.
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Immigration policies and procedures can change quickly, creating confusion for both community members and the organizations that serve them. CIP provides timely updates on policy developments, enforcement trends, and emerging issues affecting immigrant communities, helping audiences stay informed and prepared to respond effectively.
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CIP can tailor workshops and presentations to meet the unique needs of your audience, organization, or community. Training topics, format, language, and length can be customized for partners seeking to better support immigrant individuals and families.
Support This Work
CIP's Legal Services & Education Program relies on dedicated volunteers and community partners to support legal consultations, family preparedness efforts, community education workshops, and accompaniment services.
Interested in volunteering?
Visit our Volunteer Page to learn about current opportunities.