Pocket Knowledge

The Detained Torture Survivors Legal Support Network, coordinated by LIRS, has published Pocket Knowledge, a 40-page booklet filled with practical information for individuals released from immigration detention. It is also useful for others who have recently arrived in the United States, particularly asylum seekers. The booklet contains general tips and information about topics such as the right to work, getting a social security number, finding financial support and navigating life in U.S. culture. Other useful features include a directory of torture treatment programs across the country.

Download Pocket Knowledge in PDF format English (329KB) Arabic (Because of technical issues regarding the Arabic font, we have broken down the Arabic edition into 10 four-page sections. The files are still quite large at 1.2-2.0 MB) Pages 1-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | 13-16 | 17-20 | 21-24 | 25-28 | 29-32 | 33-36 | 37-40 French (494KB) Spanish (491KB)

Order Print Copies Pocket Knowledge is available in print in four languages: English, Arabic, French and Spanish. E-mail survivor@lirs.org to request copies.

Separate inserts contain information for five areas of the country with a high concentration of torture survivors. Download inserts in PDF format for the following states:

• Arizona
• Florida
• Louisiana
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

For more information on the Detained Torture Survivor Legal Support Network or Pocket Knowledge, contact LIRS at survivor@lirs.org or 410/230-2718.

Pocket Knowledge has been published pursuant to grant number 90ZT0019 from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The views expressed are those of the Detained Torture Survivors Legal Support Network, a project of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), and may not reflect the views of ACF/ORR.

Page last modified March 12, 2008.