What would you do if an employer wants to verify your Social Security number?

That was one of the questions tackled by some human rights groups in a workshop aimed at educating immigrants to handle possible round-ups and abuses in the workplace.

In addition, other advocacy groups prepared a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“The Department of Homeland Security has no way of knowing as to what companies Social Security Administration is sending verification letters to; they cannot do that by law. That is, if the company receives a letter and the identity cannot be verified, that does not mean that immigration authorities will be coming,” said Monica Guizar, labor lawyer with the National Immigration Law Center, who is preparing a lawsuit before the DHS applies its new rules in 30 days.

Asking for a copy of the letter the employer received, staying silent, and not giving information about immigration status, are among the new pieces of information incorporated into the English classes at the New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) in Jackson Heights.

“We are trying to have everyone know their rights, feel safe and learn to navigate the system,” said Valeria Treves, NICE deputy director.

The members of Asociacion Tepeyac de New York, an advocacy group, are creating a special guide to distribute among the people who solicit the organization’s services.

“People are afraid to be at home if they have accounts pending, or orders of deportation. Many have fines for street vending without a license, for small infractions, and for not appearing in court. We try to solve those problems before they become serious,” explained Joel Magallán, executive director of Tepeyac, who, every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, offers free counseling.