I need an interpreter
Any official meeting when English is hard
“I need an interpreter.”
Words to ask for help
AuthorPixel
PublishedApril 28, 2026
UpdatedJune 3, 2026
Short lines you can read aloud. Pick the card that matches your situation — tabs switch the wording when your case differs. Open full screen if it is easier to show someone your phone.
Any conversation
Interpreter, lawyer, child advocate (three separate asks), and paperwork you should not rush to sign.
Do not sign yet
Someone hands you forms at the border, school, or sponsor home
“I will not sign this yet.”
I need a lawyer
Any conversation when you need legal help — not immigration-specific
“I need a lawyer.”
I need a child advocate
Court, ORR custody, or foster care — not when you need a lawyer
“I need a child advocate.”
Safety emergencies
Someone is harming or threatening you — call 911 or a hotline now.
I am not safe at home
Calling 911, a hotline, or telling a trusted adult
“I am not safe at home. I need help now.”
Unsafe because I am LGBTQ+
Crisis line or trusted adult when you are unsafe for being LGBTQ+
“I am LGBTQ+ and not safe. I need help now.”
Someone is forcing me to work
Made to work, pay off a debt, or do things against your will
“Someone is forcing me to work. I need help.”
Medical & mental-health emergencies
Hurt, very sick, overwhelmed, or thinking of hurting yourself — get help now.
Medical emergency
Hurt, very sick, or need an ambulance now
“I need an ambulance. I am hurt or very sick.”
I cannot cope right now
Panic, overwhelming stress, or you feel you might break down
“I need help. I cannot cope right now.”
I am thinking of hurting myself
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
“I am thinking of hurting myself. I need help.”
Place to stay tonight
No safe bed tonight, or the home you were sent to is not safe.
I have nowhere to sleep tonight
Kicked out, stranded, or a sponsor home fell through
“I have nowhere to sleep tonight.”
The home I was released to is not safe
After ORR releases you to a sponsor and you are not safe there
“The home I was sent to is not safe.”
Border & ORR shelter
CBP through federal shelter — school papers, alone under 18, lawyer, asylum screening.
At the border — summer school
Entering the US for a short or full-time school program
“I am here for summer school on a B-2 visa.”
At the border — alone under 18
Speaking to border officers without a parent
“I am under 18 and alone. I am afraid to return home.”
They say I am an adult
Border or detention staff treats you as 18+ but you are a minor
“I am under 18. Please verify my age.”
Afraid to return — in shelter
Asylum screening in ORR shelter — not the first line at CBP
“I am afraid to return home. I need protection.”
I need an immigration lawyer
In ORR shelter, asylum screening, immigration court, or legal aid
“I need a free immigration lawyer.”
Everyday needs
Food, phone and internet, library and computers, paying your way, and lost papers.
I need food
After school, on weekends, or when money for food runs out
“Where can I get free food?”
I cannot pay for this
A clinic bill, school fee, or office asks for money you do not have
“I cannot pay. What are my options?”
I lost my papers
ID, immigration papers, or court documents are missing
“I lost my documents. How do I replace them?”
I need a phone or internet plan I can afford
You need to call, text, or get online but cannot pay a monthly bill
“I need a cheap phone and internet plan.”
I need to use a computer
No laptop at home — schoolwork, email, job search, or online forms
“Where can I use a free computer?”
I need a library card
First visit to a public library — sign up, online login, or printing
“I need a library card. Can you help me sign up?”
Health & medical care
Seeing a doctor, mental health, and care without insurance.
I need a doctor
Clinic or hospital for non-emergency care
“I need to see a doctor. I have no insurance.”
I think I need a psychological evaluation
You want a diagnosis to understand what help you need
“I need a psychological evaluation.”
School
Enrolling, language help, special-education, and staying safe.
Enroll in school without papers
School front office or district enrollment — missing papers or no stable address
“I need to enroll. Please connect me with the McKinney-Vento homeless liaison.”
A school is refusing to enroll me
The next step if a school turns you away over papers or status
“This school is refusing to enroll me. I need help.”
I need English-learner classes
You are still learning English and need language support at school
“I am learning English. I need language support.”
I need a special-education evaluation
You are struggling to learn and may need extra support at school
“I am struggling in school. Can I be tested for an IEP?”
I need accommodations for stress or trauma
Stress or trauma is making school hard and you need adjustments
“Trauma makes school hard. I need accommodations.”
Not safe at school
Bullying or threats at school when home may be safe
“I am not safe at school. I need help.”
Immigration help & legal aid
Asylum, SIJS, immigration court, student visas, and turning 18 or 21.
Parent hurt or left me
Legal aid about abuse, neglect, or abandonment
“My parent hurt me or abandoned me. I need help.”
SIJS vs asylum — how I entered
Lawyer screening when you entered without a visa or overstayed
“I entered without a visa. Can I get SIJS or asylum?”
Pending immigration court case
You have a notice from immigration court or a hearing scheduled
“I have immigration court coming up. I need a lawyer.”
F-1 student — unsafe at home
Host family or home is unsafe — before you change enrollment or leave the US
“I am an F-1 student. I do not feel safe at home.”
I am turning 18 soon
Lawyer, foster care worker, or caseworker
“I turn 18 soon. I need a plan.”