Unauthorized Migrants and Their Rights
Most of the immigrants who live in Chicago or Cook County are legally present in the United States either as U.S. citizens, lawfully admitted permanent residents, asylees, refugees, non-immigrants, or individuals holding a special status.

Some individuals may have entered the US legally, but for some reason are not currently in status, while others may be undocumented; having entered the country without inspection. Individuals who are not legally present in the United States are not authorized to work and risk permanent removal from the country. Employers are required under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to verify the identity and right to work of every worker, including U.S. citizens. Failure to comply with the provisions of this law can result in serious penalties for employers.

Individuals who do not currently have legal status are not eligible for many programs and benefits, however, if their children were born in the US those US citizen children may still be eligible for those benefits. This guide will discuss this issue in more detail in the sections on health care, education, and legal issues.

This office cannot address issues which may compel individuals to migrate to the United States, although we recognize that people may feel compelled to leave their homes out of desperation and lack of opportunities to provide for themselves and their families. Our goal is one of education: both of immigrants and other foreign born individuals (and their families) as to their rights and responsibilities, available resources, and opportunities to participate as responsible members of our neighborhoods and society, and to the community in which they reside to strengthen mutual understanding and harmony among the diverse cultures which comprise Cook County.

We affirm, however, that each person has certain inalienable human rights and should be accorded inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. This office strives to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial gender, religious, and other preference groups, represented in our region.