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Immigration Help Center
Are you new to the United States or do you know someone who is? 211 Maryland provides immigrant resources is a one-stop resource for immigrants and new Americans. We can connect you to the local immigrant resources you need.
Find food, housing, employment, health care and mental health by dialing 2-1-1. All calls are free and confidential.
Baltimore immigration support
If you live in Baltimore, you can:
- Call 2-1-1
- Visit the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs website for organizations that can help you with home ownership, education, employment and more.
- Download the Welcome to Baltimore Guide for New Americans, available in multiple languages.
Francis Scott Key Bridge Support
Community organizations are ready to help those impacted by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Maryland Nonprofits and Maryland Latinos Unidos created a comprehensive list of bilingual resources and services for immigrant communities critical to the response. These include:
- Emergency aid and relief services
- Counseling and emotional support
- Employment assistance and job placement
- Food and energy assistance
- Financial assistance
- Immigrant community services
Get Help Quickly In Maryland
More than 15% of Marylanders are immigrants, so it’s important to know where to turn for help quickly.
In the United States, you can dial a 3-digit number to reach immediate support to find local health and human services, request emergency service from fire or police, talk with your city about a concern or request for service or find out about road conditions.
These numbers are free to call. Instead of dialing a typical ten-digit number, just dial the 3 numbers, and you’ll be connected.
911
Call 9-1-1 in an emergency. This may be a life-threatening medical emergency, criminal activity or fire.
988
Call 9-8-8 if you have thoughts of suicide, depression or anxiety or problems with drugs or alcohol. You are not alone. There is hope. Talk to a trained professional with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
211
Call 2-1-1 to get connected to local resources for food, housing, legal health, utility assistance, health care, unemployment, and other essential needs.
Resources for new Americans and immigrants are available, including English as a Second Langauge classes and citizenship services.
Translation is available in 150+ languages.
311
311 is available in some Maryland cities and counties as a way to report a problem, concern, or request service from the municipality. This may be a concern about road conditions, trash, or other city services.
511
511 Maryland provides real-time traffic data from state agencies. Find out about road conditions, congestion, or other traveler-related information.
How 988 and 211 Can Help
Hear how 988 and 211 Maryland can support individuals who need help. In general:
- 988 provides crisis support for mental health and substance use and a searchable resource database with mental health and substance use providers.
- 211 provides ongoing mental health support through free and confidential programs, behavioral health resources, and help with essential needs like food, housing, employment, health care, child care and more.
The Maryland Insurance Administration had a Spanish webinar with 988 and 211. Watch it below.
Get Identification In Maryland
You’ll need identification for many tasks such as renting an apartment, opening a bank account, getting a job, applying for insurance and even driving a car.
Photo ID
A Maryland Identification Card is an official photo ID that includes your address and age. It can be used to get a job, cash a check, or open a bank account.
You obtain this card from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
You can also go to MVA for a driver’s license, which is a photo ID that allows you to drive.
For the required documents to get an official Maryland ID, go to the Online Document Guide. Select the choices that pertain to your situation and/or available documentation to determine eligibility.
Social Security Number
In addition to a photo ID, a Social Security number is often requested for identification purposes.
Immigrants can request a Social Security number when they apply for a Visa.
To apply for a Social Security Number, call 1-800-772-1213. Interpretation services are available. Hearing-impaired should call 1-800-325-0778.
You can also schedule an appointment for a local Social Security office in Maryland.
Need to find something from Social Security in Spanish? Use the Spanish version of the Social Security website.
Immigration Help: Citizenship And Naturalization
Welcome to the United States of America. This country is home to individuals from around the world. Citizenship provides rights and responsibilities.
Citizenship shows your commitment to the USA and its government.
When you’re a U.S. citizen, you can:
- Vote.
- Serve on a jury.
- Get a U.S. passport for travel.
- Bring family members to the U.S.
- Get citizenship for children under age 18.
- Apply for federal jobs.
- Become an elected official.
- Keep your residency.
- Become eligible for federal grants and scholarships.
- Obtain government benefits
Learn if you are eligible to apply to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization.
If you’re eligible for citizenship through naturalization, there is a 10-step naturalization process that you’ll follow. This includes forms, a test, interview and taking the oath of allegiance to the United States.
Find Education Help
Children under age 18 are required to attend school.
Public Schools
Public education is free from Kindergarten to grade twelve. These schools must accept all children, regardless of immigration status or documentation.
Head Start
Preschool programs may be available through Head Start.
English As A Second Language (ESL)
If you need to learn English, local communities provide English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults and children.
Search 211 resources and find local ESL classes and other educational opportunities or enroll children in school.
Job Training
There are specific programs for New Americans looking for job training and other employment opportunities.
Help With Health Insurance
Medical insurance covers a portion of the fees to see a doctor.
Health Insurance
Maryland Health Connection is the state’s official health insurance marketplace.
If you are in the U.S. under certain immigrant statuses or have applied for certain lawfully present statuses, you may be eligible for a health plan.
You can still apply even if all your family members do not have an immigration status that qualifies them for coverage.
You will not need a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply unless you are requesting financial help and file taxes.
Wondering if you qualify under your status? Find out about the different statuses eligible for health insurance.
Maryland Children’s Health Program And Medicaid
Non-citizens must have a “qualified” immigration status to qualify for Medicaid.
There is an exception for pregnant women and children under age 21, who must only be lawfully present.
There is also a 5-year bar for certain individuals entering on or after August 22, 1996. There are exceptions to this rule.
Learn whether Medicaid or Maryland’s Children’s Health Program is an option for you and your family.
Free And Low-Cost Medical And Dental Care
If you need to see a doctor or dentist, free and reduced-cost services may be available.
Medical Services
Each county has its own health department, which may be an additional resource for immunizations, family planning and health screenings.
A dental clinic may also be available at some locations or a separate location. These clinics provide low-cost support for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Local Health Department
Each county has its own health department, and that may be an additional resource for immunizations, family planning and health screenings.
A dental clinic may also be available at some locations or at a separate location. These clinics provide low-cost support for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Find a local health department.
Free Refugee Health Assessment
Refugees, asylees, parolees, Cuban/Haitian parolees, victims of trafficking, special immigrant visas and certain Amerasians are eligible for a free refugee health assessment.
This assessment can help you identify health problems, receive treatment and get the required immunizations for residency status, a Green Card or school.
Mental Health And Substance Use
For immediate mental health and substance use concerns, call 988. You’ll be connected to the Maryland Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support.
If you’re looking for ongoing behavioral health services or inpatient treatment centers, search the state's 988 behavioral health resource database powered by 211. You can filter search options based on ZIP code, language, payment options, and age.
Report Hate Crimes And Incidents
If you’re a victim of a hate incident or crime, connect with community resources and reports.
A new collaboration between 211 Maryland and the Office of Immigrant Affairs makes it easy to report discrimination, bullying and hate crimes and incidents.
- Dial 211.
- Text MDStopHate to 898211.*
- File a report online.
*211 Maryland offers text message alert programs which provide region-specific resource information or provide disaster alerts. Text STOP to the same number to unsubscribe. Full SMS terms at https://211md.org/sms/ will also apply.
Learn more about the differences between hate crimes and incidents and the new ways to stop hate!
