Making Money
On this page you will find resources on how to earn income, regardless of immigration status. These resources are intended for people in the US without work authorization or at risk of losing work authorization. Please consider making a donation to support the work we do, or join our newsletter to hear about new opportunities and events.
The Non-Citizen’s Guide to Entrepreneurship
This guide is geared to non-citizens with work authorization, those without it, and those who want to prepare for the possibility of losing work authorization. The guide shows that, for those at risk of losing work authorization, there are steps that can be taken now to be in the best position to manage the changing political tides around the rights of immigrants and to feel in control of our lives.
This guide was written under the guidance of Angy Rivera from the New York State Youth Leadership Council by New York University (NYU) School of Law Immigrants’ Rights Clinic (IRC) students Amy Joseph and Juan Martinez-Hill. The students were supervised by Nancy Morawetz, supervising professor of IRC in collaboration with Gowri Krishna, supervising professor of the New York Law School Nonprofit and Small Business Clinic, and Jillian Schroeder-Fenlon, supervising attorney with the NYU Business Law Transactions Clinic.
This guide has:
- Information about Tax and Employment Forms;
- Tips for identification, bank accounts, taxes and other money related issues.
- Resources to earn money lawfully regardless of immigration status as an employee, independent contractor, freelance worker, intern, or working in a worker’s co-op.
- All things about becoming a non-citizen entrepreneur
Webinar: What is an ITIN? With TheDream.Us
ITINs (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) are a tool for undocumented individuals who do not have a Social Security Number. In this webinar learn more about ITINs, how to determine if you already have an ITIN, and steps to apply for an ITIN. Resources: ITIN FAQs, how to determine if you have an ITIN, ITIN application guide, and additional resources.
Presentation: Options for UndocuWorking
with NYU Law and NYSYLC
Download the slides
Here are the slides of the same webinar for you to read at your own pace, download & print and annotate.
FAQ: Options for UndocuWorking
A compiled document of some of the most frequently asked questions about UndocuWorking that came up from this presentation.
Descargue la presentación
Aquí encontrara la misma presentación en español para leer en su propio tiempo o para descargar e imprimir.
Preguntas Frecuentes sobre UndocuWorking
Un documento sobre algunas de las preguntas más frecuentes sobre UndocuWorking que surgieron de esta presentación.
A Deep Dive Into Independent Contracting
One way non-citizens are able to make an income is as independent contractors. For some, contracting can be a flexible and creative way to monetize skills / hobbies. This presentation in collaboration with NYU Law is on the ins and outs of independent contracting. Reread on your own time, download, print, and share!
Presentation about Independent Contracting
The following slides are a deeper dive about independent contracting as a way to make money.
Who are independent contractors?
This quick reference sheet covers the basics of who is an independent contractor.
Sometimes it is hard to have conversations with employers or potential clients about independent contracting. The following skits provide some guides on how these conversations can flow. They are meant to be copied into what fits your needs the most.
Skit 1: Provides a outline for how to negotiate a job offer into a independent contracting opportunity
Skit 2: Provides an outline for how to negotiate an existing employment into a independent contracting opportunity
Skit 1: Negotiate a
Job Offer into IC
This skit was presented at an UndocuWorking event about independent contracting.
Skit 2: Negotiate Existing Employment into IC
This skit was presented at an event about independent contracting.
Worker Co-ops
A worker co-operative is a business where the workers collectively own and operate the business. Members invest their labor into the business and collectively decide how the business will run. Learn more about worker co-ops below!
What is a worker co-operative?
In this quick reference page you will find more information on what a worker co-op is and how it can be a way to make money.
Toolkits
ITIN Frequently Asked Questions
In this website from TheDream.Us, you will find:
1. ITIN Frequently Asked Questions
2. How to Determine if You Already Have an ITIN
3. An ITIN Application Guide
LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMIGRANTS
Each of the 50 states has unique requirements for individuals seeking to obtain a professional or occupational license. The following guide is designed to assist you in determining the specific requirements expected in each state.
Entrepreneurship Lesson Plan
As an educator and advocate for undocumented students, it’s important to be able to inform your campus about the income-generation opportunities via entrepreneurship that are available to anyone regardless of immigration status. This lesson plan will walk you through the steps you should take to introduce entrepreneurship to your students through an interactive workshop. Remember, you don’t have to be an expert on entrepreneurship to successfully lead this presentation!
In this step-by-step guide you will find:
- Instructions on how to use this lesson plan
- Slide deck presentation template to use during the workshop
- Ice Breaker to lead with your students
- Stories of undocumented entrepreneurs
Income Generation Options for Undocumented Students Toolkit
This toolkit is intended as a resource for educators who wish to support undocumented students and for undocumented students and alumni who are trying to figure out their career options.
This toolkit is not intended to be read in one sitting, but rather used as a resource directory that is frequently referenced.
Deferred Action for Workers
in Support of Labor Agency Investigations
Did you know..
Workers are sometimes afraid to report violations of law by exploitative employers or to cooperate in employment and labor standards investigations because they fear removal or other immigration-related retaliation due to reports by an abusive employer. This new DHS memo seeks to address that by providing deferred action to workers who report.
Resources click here:
1. Memo information in spanish
2. Process to obtain this type of deferred action in spanish
Resources
Compilation of resources on business education, regulatory assistance, legal assistance, financing assistance, and more.
Creativity is Boundless: An Inclusive Guide for Supporting Immigrant, Migrant, and Undocumented Artists with Fellowships, Grants, and Residencies
How to Become an Independent Contractor: A Step-By-Step Guide
Immigrants Rising List of Resources For Entrepreneurship and Freelancing
Renaissance Technical Institute FREE vocational education and training (ages 17+)
Training, funding, and services:
Food Career Programs by Hot Bread Kitchen
New York City Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative
SPANISH: Aprende Como Generar Ingresos y Ser Un Emprendedor con Immigrants Rising
SPANISH: Taller Virtual Sobre Ingresos y Taxes con Qualitas of Life
WATCH: Undocu-Owned Business Owners Share their Stories
We invited young undocumented business owners to share their stories. Find out what inspired them, how they grew their business, how they dealt with self-doubt, and what tips they have for others.
Buy Undocu-Owned
This catalogue highlights some New York undocumented-owned businesses (those that were comfortable being shared!).