The state’s New Americans Hotline (1-800-566-7636) has expanded its hours to include Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The hotline will also continue to operate Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The New Americans Hotline is managed by Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York, under a grant with the New York State Office for New Americans.

Staffed by multilingual call operators as well as a full-time immigration attorney, the hotline provides information and referrals for free immigration-related services.

“New York State has long been a state committed to having newcomers feel welcomed and supported. The expansion of the New Americans Hotline includes longer weekday hours and added weekend hours, strengthening our commitment at a time when immigrant families are facing so much fear and uncertainty,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley in a release announcing the added hours.

He went on, “As a reminder to all New Yorkers seeking assistance — the ONA hotline is 100% free, anonymous, and available in over 200 languages.” 

The Office for New Americans, founded in 2012, and its statewide network of community-based providers offer assistance to any immigrant in New York state regardless of their immigration status.

ONA provides programming in areas such as immigration legal services, English-language learning, mental-health support, and workforce development. The best way to connect with all ONA’s programs, as well as resources provided by other state partners, is to call the New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636.

Representatives from the hotline can assist with making referrals to individuals in immigration detention who are seeking free legal services. The hotline can also provide information on available community workshops and training, including Know Your Rights and family preparedness. Callers to the hotline can also report cases of immigration fraud.

Since January 2025, the hotline has answered 21,159 calls and made 42,207 referrals.   

In addition to the hotline, ONA has also expanded the resources available on its website to include a dedicated Know Your Rights, Know Your Resources page: https://dos.ny.gov/know-your-rights.

“Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching — particularly the call to uphold the dignity of every human person and to welcome the stranger — this work reflects our enduring commitment to serve those seeking guidance, opportunity, and stability,” said J. Antonio Fernandez, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, in the release about the hotline.

“We applaud Governor Hochul for expanding the New Americans Hotline at a moment when immigrant New Yorkers are under attack from the Trump administration’s detention and deportation machine,” said Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, in the release.

He went on, “Too many families are being forced to navigate fear, misinformation, and a complicated legal system on their own …  We urge the state to continue investing in programs like the Office for New Americans that keep families together, protect workers, and strengthen our communities.”