Living in the United States
A Guide for Immigrant Youth
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
DoYouKnowYourImmigrationStatus?.........................................................................................4
10ThingsEveryUndocumentedYouthShouldKnow...............................................................7
11ThingsEveryYouthwithaGreenCardShouldKnow.........................................................8
U.S.Citizenship.........................................................................................................................................10
HowtoGetaGreenCard(IfYouAreUndocumented)...........................................................12
DACA(DeferredActionforChildhoodArrivals)........................................................................14
DAPA(DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawful
PermanentResidents)...........................................................................................................................16
InvolvementwithGangs......................................................................................................................18
WatchOutforImmigrationScams!.................................................................................................19
DeportationandOtherImmigrationProblems..........................................................................20
KnowYourRights...................................................................................................................................21
AdoptionandYourImmigrationStatus........................................................................................23
HelpingFamilyMembersGetImmigrationStatusorCome
totheUnitedStates................................................................................................................................25
ImmigrantsandtheU.S.Military......................................................................................................26
Voting...........................................................................................................................................................28
SocialSecurityNumbers......................................................................................................................30
WorkingintheUnitedStates.............................................................................................................31
PayingTaxes..............................................................................................................................................33
ReceivingPublicBenefits.....................................................................................................................35
GettinganID..............................................................................................................................................37
GettingaDriver’sLicense....................................................................................................................38
GoingtoCollege.......................................................................................................................................39
BankingandCreditCards....................................................................................................................41
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IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Introduction
Immigrationissuesaretricky.Therearemanywaysinwhichyourimmigration
status—whetheryou’reagreencardholderorundocumented—canimpactyour
abilitytogetajob,gotocollege,orevenremainintheUnitedStates.That’swhywe
createdthisresourceespeciallyforimmigrantyouth.Wehopeyoufindituseful.
AbouttheImmigrantLegalResourceCenter(ILRC)
TheImmigrantLegalResourceCenter(ILRC)isanonprofitorganizationinSan
Franciscothatprovidestrainings,materialsandadvocacytoadvanceimmigrant
rights.TheILRCworkswithimmigrantsandcitizenstomakecriticallegalassistance
andsocialservicesaccessibletoall,regardlessofincome,andtobuildasocietythat
valuesdiversityandrespectsthedignityandrightsofallpeople.Findusontheweb
atwww.ilrc.org.
Abigthankyoutothefollowingpeopleformakingthisbookpossible:AngieJunck,
AlisonKamhi,RachelPrandini,andSallyKinoshitaattheImmigrantLegalResource
Center,BarbaraPinto,HayleyUpshaw,JayMartinSteinman,SotivearSim,Jenny
Cohen,TanyaBroder,ChristineWongYap,andespeciallytotheyouthatLegal
ServicesforChildrenandtheSanFranciscoIndependentLivingSkillsProgram.
Thisupdatedresourcewasmadepossiblethroughfundingfrom
theWalterS.JohnsonFoundation
IllustrationsbyChristineWongYap
2015
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE3
Do You Know Your Immigration Status?
Mostpeoplefallintooneofthreecategories:U.S.citizens,greencardholders,or
undocumented.Therearealsoothercategories,likerefugees,TPS,andUVisa
holders.ManyyouthmayalsobeeligiblefordeferredactionstatusthroughDACAor
DAPA.Seethenextpageforinformationonthose.
Peoplewithgreencardsareoftencalled“LPRs”(legalpermanentresidents).
Forinformationongettingagreencard,seethesection“Howtogetagreencard.”
ForinformationonbeingaU.S.citizen,seethesection“U.S.Citizenship.”
U.S.Citizen
GreenCard
Holder
(Permanent
Resident)
DACA/DAPA
Undocumented
Document
U.S.
passport
orbirth
certificate
Greencard
(thecoloris
notactually
green)
Workpermit,
Social
SecurityCard
NoU.S.papers
CanYouBe
Deported?
No
Yes,ifyou
break
certainlaws
ordoother
thingsthat
wouldallow
ajudgeto
deportyou
Yes,ifthe
government
decidestono
longerallow
youto
remaininthe
U.S.
Yes,atanytime
CanYou
Legally
Work?
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
CanYou
Vote?
Yes
No
No
No
DoYou
Havethe
Rightto
Education?
Yes
Yes
Yes(butyou
can’tgetin‐
statecollege
tuitionin
manystates.
YoucaninCA
under
AB540.)
Yes(butyou
can’tgetin‐
statecollege
tuitioninmany
states.Youcan
inCAunder
AB540.)
PAGE4
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
CanYou
GetFederal
Financial
Aidfor
College?
Yes
Yes
No(butinCA,
youcan
obtainstate
aidunderthe
CADream
Act)
No(butinCA,
youcanobtain
stateaidunder
theCADream
Act)
CanYou
Geta
Driver’s
License?
Yes
Yes
Dependson
thestate(in
CA,youcan
underAB60).
Dependsonthe
state(inCA,
youcanunder
AB60).
CanYou
GetaSocial
Security
Number?
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
CanYou
Help
Family
Members
Immigrate/
Get
Papers?
Yes
Yes,but
with
restrictions
(youcan
helpfewer
people,and
thewaits
arelonger
than
citizens)
No
No
CanYou
Travel
outsidethe
U.S.?
Yes—no
restrictions
Yes,butnot
forlong
periods
Yes,butonly
withaspecial
permityou
haveto
obtainin
advance
Ifyouleave,
youcan’t
legallyreturn
OtherImmigrationCategories
SpecialImmigrantJuvenileStatus(SIJS):Allowsyoutostayinthecountry,work,
andgetagreencard.Youmustbeseparatedfromoneorbothofyourparentsdueto
problemsathome.Ifyouhavebeenabandoned,abusedorneglectedbyoneorboth
ofyourparentsandareundocumented,youshouldtrytoapplyforthis.
DeferredActionforChildhoodArrivals(DACA)andDeferredActionfor
ParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanentResidents(DAPA):Although
deferredactiondoesnotgiveyoutherighttostayintheU.S.permanently,like
havingagreencard,DACAorDAPAwilltemporarilyprotectyoufrombeing
deportedandallowyoutoworkintheU.S.Seethesectionsentitled“Deferred
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE5
ActionforChildhoodArrivals”and“DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansand
LawfulPermanentResidents”formoreinformation.
Refugee/Asylee:Inyourhomecountry,youwerethreatenedorfacefuturethreats
duetoyouroryourfamily’sreligion,politicalviews,race,etc.Youcanliveandwork
intheU.Sandgetagreencard.
TemporaryProtectedStatus:Youdonothavepapers,butbecauseofproblemsin
yourhomecountry(acivilwar,earthquake,etc.)theU.S.governmentallowsyouto
stayuntilthedangerhaspassed.
UorTVisa:YouhavebeenthevictimofacrimeintheU.S.ortrafficking.Youcan
liveandworkintheU.S.andgetagreencard(eventually).
PAGE6
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
10 Things Every Undocumented Youth Should Know
IfyoudonothavelegalimmigrationstatusintheUnitedStates,youareatrisk.Keep
thesepointsinmind:
1. Ifapproachedbyimmigrationauthorities,donotsignanypapersanddo
nottalktothemunlessyoucheckwithalawyerfirst.
2. Stayoutoftroublewiththelaw.Inmost,ifnotallplaces,policeandotherlaw
enforcementwillshareyourfingerprintswithimmigrationauthorities.Insome
places,policemayevenhandyournameorotherpersonalinformationoverto
immigrationauthorities.Ifyoucommitacrime,itwillmakeithardertogetlegal
statusinthefuture.
3. Ifyouarechargedwithacrime,makesureyourlawyer(whetherprivate
orapublicdefender)knowsyourimmigrationstatus.Yourlawyeris
requiredundertheConstitutiontoinformyouofthewayyourcriminalcasewill
affectyourimmigrationcase.Lettingthemknowyourimmigrationstatuswill
allowthemtobesthelpyou.
4. Don’tcrosstheborder.Onceyouleavethecountry,youcan’tlegallyre‐enter
theU.S.
5. Ifyouareworkingillegally,youshouldstillpaytaxes.Thiswillimproveyour
chancesofgettinglegalpapersinthefuture.
6. Ifyou’remale,registerforthe“SelectiveService”whenyouturn18.The
immigrationauthoritieswillNOTseeyourinformation.Likepayingtaxes,this
willmakeiteasiertogetlegalpapersinthefuture.
7. Ifatallpossible,trytobecomealegalresident.Seethesectionentitled“How
togetagreencard.”
8. Havingachildwillnothelpyoubecomelegal.Achildcanonlyhelphisorher
parentgetagreencardifthechildisover21yearsold.(Althoughhavingachild
mayhelpsomeonequalifyforDAPA,DAPAisnotagreencard,anditisonlyfor
peoplewhohadU.S.citizenchildrenonorbeforeNovember20,2014.See
sectionentitled“DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawful
PermanentResidents”).
9. Donotlie(toapersonoronaform)andsayyouareaU.S.citizenwhenyou
arenot.Afalseclaimtocitizenshipistakenseriouslybythegovernmentand
couldhurtyourchancesofevergettingagreencardorgetyoudeported.
10.Donotlieaboutyourage.Peopleunder18areentitledtocertainprotections
inimmigrationlaw,andifyouareunder18,youshouldsayso.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE7
11 Things Every Youth with a Green Card Should Know
Agreencardgivesyoumanyrights,butyoustillhavetobecareful.Notethese
points:
1. Stayoutoftroublewiththelaw.Someoffenses,evenminorones,canleadto
youbeingdeported.
2. Ifyouarechargedwithacrime,makesureyourlawyer(whetherprivate
orapublicdefender)knowsyourimmigrationstatus.Yourlawyeris
requiredundertheConstitutiontoinformyouhowyourcriminalcasewillaffect
yourimmigrationsituation.Lettingthemknowyourimmigrationstatuswill
allowthemtobesthelpyou.
3. Ifyouchangeyouraddress,telltheimmigrationauthoritiesimmediately.
Youneedtodothiswithin10daysofthemove.Gotowww.uscis.gov,clickon
“Tools”andthenclickon“ChangeyourAddressonFile.”
4. Youneedtogetanew
greencardevery10
years.Yourstatus
doesn’texpire,youwill
justneedtoreplacethe
card.Lookatyourgreen
cardtofindits
expirationdate.
5. Ifapproachedby
immigration
authorities,donot
signanypapersand
donottalktothem
unlessyoucheckwitha
lawyerfirst.
6. Totraveloutsidethe
UnitedStates,you
needapassportfrom
yourhomecountry.IfyoulaterbecomeaU.S.citizen,youcanuseaU.S.
passport.
7. Don’tleavethecountryforlongperiods.Ifyouaregoneforsixmonthsor
longer,youmighthavecomplicationscomingbacktotheU.S.,andifit’smore
thanayearyoumightnotbeabletore‐entertheUnitedStates.Ifyouhavea
PAGE8
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
goodreasontobegoneforalongtime,youcanaskforpermission,butyouneed
todothisbeforethetrip,ifpossible.
8. Ifyou’remale,registerforthe“SelectiveService”whenyouturn18.This
willmakeitpossibleforyoutoreceivecertainbenefits,andapplyforU.S.
citizenship.
9. Ifyouareworking,paytaxesifyouowethem.Thiswillkeepyououtoflegal
troubleandallowyoutobecomeaU.S.citizenlater.Formoreinformation,see
thesectionentitled“Taxes.”
10.ApplyforU.S.citizenshipwhenyouareeligibleorencourageaparentwhoyou
livewithtoapplyforcitizenshipbeforeyouturn18sothatyoucan
automaticallybecomeacitizenwithouthavingtoapplylater.Formore
informationonwhyandhow,seethesectionentitled“U.SCitizenship.”
11.Donotlie(toapersonoronaform)andsayyouareaU.S.citizenwhenyou
arenot.Afalseclaimtocitizenshipistakenseriouslybythegovernmentand
couldhurtyourchancesofevergettingagreencardorgetyoudeported.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE9
U.S. Citizenship
It’saverygoodideatoapplyforU.S.Citizenship.OnceyoubecomeaU.S.Citizen,
you:




Can’tbedeported.(Ifyouhaveagreencard,youcanstillbedeportedifyou
haveproblemswiththelaw.)
CanmoreeasilyandquicklyhelpfamilymemberscometotheUnitedStates.
Cangetgovernmentjobs,andcanmoreeasilyreceivegovernmentbenefits.
Canvote!
AreyoualreadyaU.S.Citizen?Somepeoplearecitizensbutdon’trealizeit.



IfyouwerebornintheUnitedStates,youareautomaticallyaU.S.citizen.
Ifyouwereborninanothercountry,butoneofyourparentswasaU.S.
citizen,youmaybeaU.S.citizen.
IfyourparentbecameaU.S.citizen,andatthetimeyouwereunder18and
hadagreencard,youareprobablyaU.S.citizen.
Ifyouarenotsure,talktoalawyer.Thelawsforthisarecomplicated.
Note:HavingaGreenCardDoesNotMakeYouaU.S.Citizen!
Oneofthemostcommonwaystobecomeacitizenforpeoplewhowerenotbornin
theU.S.istonaturalize.ToapplytobecomeaU.S.Citizenthroughnaturalization,
youneedto:




PAGE10
Beatleast18yearsold.
Haveagreencardfor5years(lessifyoumarryaU.S.citizenorjointhe
military).
HavelivedintheUnitedStatesforthepast5years(3yearsifyouare
marriedtoaU.S.citizen).
Payallyourtaxesandchildsupport,ifyouowethem.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015



Stayoutoftroublewiththelaw.(Minorcrimesmaynotbeaproblem;talkto
alawyer.)
Registerforselectiveservicewhenyouare18.(Malesonly.)Ifyouareover
18,doitnow!Itwillsaveyouproblemslater.Formoreinformation,seethe
pageentitled“ImmigrantsandtheU.S.Military.”
SendanapplicationandfeetotheU.S.Citizenship&ImmigrationServices,
attendaninterview,passanEnglishandcivicstest,andtakeanoathof
allegiancetotheUnitedStates.
WARNING:Whenyouapplyforcitizenship,youareinvitingthegovernmentto
reviewallofyourrecords.Thiscouldleadthemtofindsomethingthatmakesyou
deportable,suchashavingcommittedacrime,liedtothegovernment,etc.Talktoa
lawyerfirsttomakesureeverythingisokay.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE11
How to Get a Green Card (If You Are Undocumented)
Don’twait!Talktoanimmigrationlawyertofigureoutwhatyouroptionsare.The
lawsarecomplicated,andit’simportanttofindalawyerwhohasexperienceinthis
area.
Ifyouareinfostercare,injuvenilehallorunderjuvenileprobation,orare
beforeanotherstatejuvenileorfamilycourt:Askyoursocialworker,probation
officer,and/orlawyeraboutgettingSpecialImmigrantJuvenileStatus(SIJS).This
protectsyoufromdeportation,allowsyoutowork,andmakesitpossibletogeta
greencard.Toseeifyouareeligible,askyoursocialworker,probationofficer,
and/oralawyer.Ifyouhavealawyerwhodoesn’tknowimmigrationlaw,askyour
lawyertogethelpfromalawyerwhodoes.
ToBeEligibleforSIJS:



Youmustbeunder21yearsoldandunmarried.(Youcanhavekidsofyour
own.)
Youalsoneedtohaveoropenacaseinstatecourtwherethejudgefinds
that:
o Youaren’tabletobereunitedwithoneorbothofyourparentsbecauseof
problemsathome(abuse,neglect,orabandonment).
o It’snotinyourbestinteresttogobacktoyourhomecountry.
Note:
o Ifyouareadopted,orlivewithotherfamilymembers,itmaystillbe
possibletogetSIJS.
o IfyougetSIJS,youcannothelpyourparentsgetimmigrationstatusor
cometotheUnitedStateslater.
NotethatyoucanhurtyourchancesofgettingagreencardthroughSIJSifyou
commitcrimesorlieaboutyourimmigrationstatus.
Ifafamilymemberisa
U.S.citizenorhasagreen
card:Therelativemightbe
abletohelpyougetyour
papers.Iftherelativehasa
greencard,therelative
mustbeyourhusband,
wife,orparent.Ifyouare
inavalidsame‐sex
marriagewithaU.S.citizen
orlawfulpermanent
resident,yourspousemay
alsobeabletohelpyouget
agreencard.Iftherelative
PAGE12
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
isaU.S.citizen,heorshecanbeyourhusband,wife,parent,oralsoyourbrotheror
sister(aslongasthepersonisover21).Achildcanonlyhelpaparentimmigrateif
thechildisover21.Notethataunts,uncles,cousins,andotherfamilymemberscan’t
helpyouimmigrateunlesstheyhaveformallyadoptedyou.
Ifyoucomefromanabusivehousehold:Youmayhaveoptionsunderthe
ViolenceAgainstWomenAct(VAWA).Thislawhelpsyouifyourparent,husband,or
wifeisaU.S.citizenoragreencardholder,butthatpersonwon’thelpyougetyour
immigrationpapers.Ifeligible,youcanobtainpaperswithoutgoingthroughyour
abusiveparentorspouse.Evenifyourparentwasabusedandyouwerenot,you
maystillbeabletogetyourimmigrationpapers.Youhavetohavelivedwiththe
abusiveparentorspouseatsomepoint,andiftheabusivepersonisyourparent,
youhavetobeunder25yearsold.Theabusedoesnothavetobephysical(itcanbe
verbaloremotional).
Ifyouhavebeenthevictimofacrime:YoumaybeeligibleforaTvisaorUvisa,
andthenafterafewyearsforagreencard.TheTvisaisforpeoplewhohavebeen
trafficked—whichusuallymeansbeingforcedtowork,suchaslabororsexwork.If
youareunderage18,youcanqualifyforaTvisabasedonsextraffickingevenifyou
weren’tforcedtodothesexwork.TheUvisaisforpeoplethathavebeenavictimof
aseriouscrimeintheU.S.,suchasdomesticviolence,abuse,physicalattack,rape,
kidnapping,etc.Youhavetohelpthepoliceinvestigatethecrime.
Throughanemployer:Anemployercanalsopetitionforanemployeetoreceivea
worker’svisaandagreencard.Talktoanattorneybeforeapproachingyour
employer.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE13
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
WhatIsDACAandWhatAretheBenefits?
DACAisaprogramthatprotectseligibleundocumentedyouthfrombeingdeported.
DACAprotectstheyouthfortwoyears,butitcanberenewed.Ifyouareeligiblefor
DACA,youcanapplytolegallyworkintheUnitedStatesandapplyforavalidsocial
securitynumber.
AyouthwhohasobtainedDACAcanalsotraveloutsideoftheUnitedStates,butonly
withaspecialpermit(called“AdvanceParole”)andonlyforcertainreasons.Leaving
theUnitedStateswithoutfirstreceivingAdvanceParolewillautomatically
terminateDACA.BesuretocheckwithanattorneybeforeleavingtheUnitedStates.
WhoIsEligibleforDACA?
AnundocumentedyouththatiscurrentlylivingintheUnitedStatesmaybeeligible
forDACA.TheyouthcanrequestDACAevenifimmigrationiscurrentlytryingto
deporthimorheror,insomecases,evenifheorshewasalreadyordereddeported
orremoved.Iftheyouthisdetainedbyimmigrationauthorities,heorshecanaskto
bereleasedbasedonDACAeligibility,andthenapplyforDACA.
OnNovember20,2014,PresidentObamaannouncedchangestosomeoftheDACA
requirementsthatwillallowmoreundocumentedyouthtoqualifyfortheprogram.
PAGE14
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
AyouthcanrequestDACAnowifheorshe:








Isatleast15yearsoldatthetimeoffilinghisorherrequest(unlessheorshe
hasacaseinimmigrationcourt,afinalorderofdeportation,oravoluntary
departureorder);
Wasundertheageof31asofJune15,2012(bornafterJune15,1981);
CametotheUnitedStatesbeforehisorher16thbirthday;
HascontinuouslyresidedintheUnitedStatessinceJune15,2007,uptothe
presenttime;
WasphysicallypresentintheUnitedStatesonJune15,2012,andatthetime
ofmakinghisorherrequestforDACA;
WasundocumentedonJune15,2012;
Iscurrentlyinschool,hasgraduatedorobtainedacertificateofcompletion
fromhighschool,hasobtainedageneraleducationdevelopment(GED)
certificate,orisanhonorablydischargedveteranoftheCoastGuardor
ArmedForcesoftheUnitedStates;and
Hasnotbeenconvicted(asanadult)ofafelony,significantmisdemeanor,
threeormoreothermisdemeanors,anddoesnototherwiseposeathreatto
nationalsecurityorpublicsafety.
ThereweretwomainchangesannouncedtoDACAonNovember20,2014.Thefirst
eliminatesthe“agecap”thatrequiredundocumentedyouthtohavebeenbornafter
June15,1981.Thismeansthatundocumentedyouthcannotbe“tooold”torequest
DACA,aslongastheymeetalltheotherrequirements.Thesecondchangeallows
peopletoapplyforDACAwhohavebeenheresinceJanuary1,2010(insteadofJune
15,2007).Thesechangesarecurrentlyblockedbecauseofanongoingcourtcase.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE15
DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful
Permanent Residents)
WhatIsDAPAandWhatAretheBenefits?
DAPA,alsocalled“DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanent
Residents”isanewprogramannouncedbyPresidentObamaonNovember20,
2014.DAPAprotectscertainundocumentedpeoplefromdeportationforthreeyears
whoareparentsofU.S.citizensorlawfulpermanentresidents.Ifyouareeligiblefor
DAPA,youcanapplytolegallyworkintheUnitedStatesandapplyforavalidsocial
securitynumber.
WhoIsEligibleforDAPA?
UndocumentedimmigrantswhoareparentsofU.S.citizensorlawfulpermanent
residents(greencardholders)andhavebeenlivingintheUnitedStatessince
January1,2010,maybeeligibleforDAPA.Anundocumentedimmigrantcanrequest
protectionfromdeportationbasedonhisorhereligibilityforDAPAevenif
immigrationiscurrentlytryingtodeporthimorheror,insomecases,evenifheor
shewasalreadyordereddeportedorremoved.Ifthepersonisdetainedby
immigrationauthorities,heorshecanasktobereleasedbasedonDAPAeligibility,
andthenapplyforDAPA.
PAGE16
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
ApersoncanrequestDAPAifheorshe:
1. IstheparentofaU.S.citizenorlawfulpermanentresident(greencard
holder),asofNovember20,2014;
a. Thesonordaughtercanbeanyage,marriedorunmarried,butmust
havebeenbornonorbeforeNovember20,2014.
2. HaslivedcontinuouslyintheUnitedStatessinceJanuary1,2010;
3. WasundocumentedonNovember20,2014;
4. WasphysicallypresentintheUnitedStatesonNovember20,2014,andon
thedateheorsherequestsDAPA;and
5. Isnotconsideredapriorityforimmigrationenforcement,whichmeans:not
convicted(asanadult)ofanaggravatedfelony,afelony,asignificant
misdemeanor,orthreeormoreothermisdemeanors;doesnothavecertain
convictionsorassociationstogangs;doesnototherwiseposeathreatto
nationalsecurityorpublicsafety;isnotasignificantvisaabuser;isnota
recentunlawfulbordercrosser;anddoesnothaveadeportationorder
issuedonorafterJanuary1,2014.
YoucannotapplyforDAPAyet.Theprogramiscurrentlyblockedbyan
ongoingcourtcase.
Tostayinformedaboutthisprogramandtheapplicationprocess,visit:
www.uscis.gov/immigrationaction.Youcanalsosignuptoreceiveupdatesbyemail
at:https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCIS/subscriber/new?topic_id=
USDHSCIS_74.
Warning!OnceyouhavebeengrantedDACAorDAPA,immigrationauthoritiescan
takeitawayifyoucommitorarefoundguiltyofcertaincrimes.Forexample,an
adultconvictionforaDUI(drivingundertheinfluence)orafelonywillnotallow
youtoreceiveDACAorDAPA,andmayalsocauseyoutoloseDACAorDAPA.In
somecases,youmaybetakenintocustodybyimmigrationauthoritiesifyouare
convictedafteryoureceiveDACAorDAPA.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE17
Involvement with Gangs
Warning!Makesuretotalktoanattorneybeforeyouapplyforanyimmigration
benefitifyouthinksomeonesuchasaschoolofficialorpolicemighthaveputyouon
aganglistordatabaseforbeinginvolvedwithagangorforassociatingwithgang
members.Someyouthareputonaganglistbymistakeorevenforhangingoutwith
possiblegangmembers.Youcanbetargetedbyimmigrationofficialsforsimply
associatingwithfriendsorfamilymembersthatareinagang.Makesuretotalkto
anattorneyifyouhaveeverbeeninvolvedinorhadtiestoagang,becausefilingfor
immigrationpapersmayberisky.
Whenyoutalktoanattorneymakesuretomentionifyou:








Wereeveraccusedofbeinginagangorquestionedaboutbeingpartofa
gangbypolice,schoolstaff,immigration,oranyoneelse
Wereputonaganglist(e.g.byschool,thecounty,policedepartment,etc.)or
arenamedinaganginjunction
Liveinaneighborhoodthathasalotofgangactivityorhaveclose
friends/familymembersthatarepartofagang
Toldimmigrationofficialsorpolicethatyouarepartofagang
Wereorareinvolvedinanywaywithagang
Wereeverarrested,jailed,orappearedinfrontofajudgeincourt
Hadorhaveanygang‐relatedtattoos
Everpostedanythingonsocialmedia(e.g.Facebook,Twitter,Instagram,etc.)
relatedtogangs
Inadditiontohurtingyourimmigrationcase,gangscanbeverydangerous,violent,
andcarrygreatconsequencesforyouththatareinvolved.Gangmembersriskinjury
fromrivalgangs,injurytofamilymembers,andevendeath.Beinginvolvedinagang
canalsoleadtocriminalconsequences.Therearelawsthatprovideforstrict
penaltiesforgang‐relatedoffenses.Someincludelargerfinesandevenlonger
sentences—15yearsormoreforgang‐relatedguncrimes,drugsales,andviolence.
Ifyouorafriendisinvolvedinagang,gettingoutisnotimpossible.Therearethings
youcandoandorganizationsthatcanhelpyougetoutofagang.CalltheHopeline
(800‐442‐HOPE):it’sopen24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek,andthehotlinehas
peoplethatcanspeakwithyouaboutyoursituationandhelpyoufindlocal
resourcestohelpyouleaveagang.
PAGE18
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Watch Out for Immigration Scams!
Noteveryonewhooffersimmigrationservicesishonest,andyoushouldonlygotoa
legalservicesproviderthatyoucantrust.Choosingsomeonetohelpyouandyour
familywithimmigrationpapersisaveryimportantdecision,andlikeallimportant
decisionsyouhavetobecarefultochoosewisely.Don’tbefooledbyfalsepromises.
YoucouldloseyourmoneyandpotentiallybedeportedfromtheUnitedStates.
Therearemanydifferenttricksthatdishonestimmigrationconsultants,notarios,
andsomelawyersusetomakepeoplebelievetheywillgetgreencards.For
example,theymaytellyou:




Ioffer“norisk”immigration.
IcangetU.S.visasforyouandyourfamilyinafewweeks.
Icangetyouaworkpermitrightaway.
Iknowpeopleatimmigrationandcangetyourpapersdonequickly.
Thesearelies!Don’ttrustyourimmigrationsituationtoanyonewhotellsyou
anyofthesethings!
AnotarioisnotanattorneyintheUnitedStates,andisnotpermittedtogive
immigrationadvice!Only2kindsofpeopleareauthorizedbytheU.S.
governmenttogiveyouimmigrationadvice.


Attorneyslicensedbyastatebar,and
Certainpeoplewhoworkfornonprofitorganizationsandhavebeen
authorizedtorepresentpeoplebeforetheimmigrationauthorities(often
called“BIAAccreditedRepresentatives”).
ThingsYouCanDotoProtectYourselffromImmigrationScams










Neversignanyblankapplicationpapers.
Neversignanypaper,contract,orimmigrationformthatyoudonot
completelyunderstand.(Getsomeoneyoutrusttotranslateitforyou.)
Alwaysdemandawrittencontractforanyimmigrationserviceswhenyou
arenotworkingwitharecognizedagency.
Makesurethatyouknowhowmuchyourcasewillcostfromthevery
beginning.
Watchoutforanyonewhowantsyoutopayimmediately.
Alwaysgetcopiesofthepaperspreparedforyou.
Neverletanyonekeepyouroriginaldocuments(example:birthcertificates).
Getareceiptforanymoneyyoupay.(Makesureithastheamountpaid,the
datepaid,yourname,andthenameofthepersonorbusinessthatyoupaid.)
Neverworkwithsomeonewhowillnotansweryourquestions,explain
thingstoyou,orreturnyourcalls.Makesureyouunderstandwhatmustbe
done,andwhy,beforeyougoahead.
Getasecondopinionifyou’renotsure!
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE19
Deportation and Other Immigration Problems
WhentheU.S.governmentkickssomeoneoutoftheUnitedStatesandforcesthem
togobacktotheirhomecountry,thisiscalleddeportationorremoval.
WhoCanBeDeported?
AnyonewhoisnotaU.S.citizencanbedeported!
Thismeansevenpeoplewithgreencardswhohave
beenheresincetheywerebabiescanbedeported.It
doesnotmatterifyouhavelivedhereyourwhole
lifeoryoucannotspeakthelanguageofyourhome
countryoryoudonotknowanyoneinyourhome
country—ifyouarenotaU.S.citizen,youcanbe
deported.
WhyDoPeopleGetDeported?
Therearelotsofdifferentreasonswhypeoplemay
bedeported,onlysomeofwhicharelistedbelow.
Watchoutforthese!
 BeingintheUnitedStateswithout
permission(nothavingpapers)
 Sayingyou’reaU.S.citizenwhenyou’renot
(tovote,toentertheUnitedStates,togetajob,orforotherreasons)
 Marryingsomeonejusttohelpthemgetagreencardorsoyoucangeta
greencard
 Usingfakedocuments
 Drugconvictions(includinguseandpossessionofmarijuana)
 Stealingthings
 Violentcrimessuchasrape,murder,assault,battery
 Domesticviolenceorviolatingaprotectionorder
 Gunconvictions
 Sexoffensesincludingstatutoryrape(havingsexwithsomeoneunder18)
Ifyouareeverarrestedforacrimeandrequiredtogotocourt,makesureyour
publicdefenderorprivatelawyerknowsthatyouarenotaU.S.citizen!!Yourlawyer
isrequiredtotellyoutheeffectyourconvictionwillhaveonyourimmigration
status.Thelawyermaybeabletohelpyouavoiddeportation,evenifyouendup
goingtojail.
Also,somecrimesmaymakeitdifficultforyoutobecomeaU.S.citizeninthefuture.
ItisimportantforyourlawyertoknowthatyouarenotyetaU.S.citizensoyoucan
avoidhurtingyourchancesofbecomingonelater.
PAGE20
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Know Your Rights
WhoAreImmigrationAuthorities?
DepartmentofHomelandSecurityhasthreedifferentparts:Immigrationand
CustomsEnforcement(ICE),U.S.Citizenship&ImmigrationServices(USCIS)and
CustomsandBorderProtection(CBP).IfyouarealreadywithintheU.S.,youare
mostlikelytocomeintocontactwithICE.Ifyouarenearorattheborderoran
airport,youaremostlikelytocomeintocontactwithCBP.USCISistheagencythat
decidesimmigrationapplications,likeanapplicationforavisa,soyouwillnotcome
intocontactwiththemunlessyouapplyforanimmigrationbenefit.
IfImmigrationAuthoritiesArrestYou:
RemainSilentandDoNotSignAnything!





Donotansweranyquestions.
Donotsayanythingaboutwhereyouwerebornorhowyouenteredthe
UnitedStates.DonotsaythatyouareaU.S.citizenifyouarenot!
Donotshowanydocuments,unlessyouhaveproofoflawfulimmigration
status.Aboveall,donotshowanyfalsedocuments!
Donotsignanythingwithoutfirsttalkingtoalawyer.Youmayactuallybe
signingadeportationorder,whichcouldresultinbeingdeported
immediatelywithoutachancetofightyourcase.Evenifofficialssayyouare
justsigninga“voluntarydeparture,”beware,thisisusuallyadeportation
order!
Telltheimmigrationofficialthatyouwantyourhearinginthecityclosestto
whereyoulivewherethereisanimmigrationcourt(sothattheydonot
transferyourcasetosomewherefaraway).
IfImmigrationAuthoritiesCometoYourHome:
DoNotOpenTheDoor!
Youhaverights:


Immigrationofficialscanonlycomeintoyourhomewithoneoftwothings,
either1)yourpermission,or2)asearchwarrant.Neveropenthedooror
givethempermissiontoenteryourhome.Asktoseeasearchwarrant.A
warrantisaspecialordersignedbyajudge.Iftheofficialsclaimthatthey
haveone,doNOTopenthedoortoseeit.Askthemtoslipitunderthedoor.
Iftheofficialsdonotshowyouone,youdoNOThavetoopenthedoor(no
matterwhattheysay).Ifyouareshownawarrant,makesurethe
informationaboutyournameandaddressiscorrectbeforelettingthemin.
Donotallowtheofficialstoenteryourhome.Ifyouallowthemin,youlose
someofyourrights.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE21



Donotsignanythingthattheygiveyou.
Youhavetherighttoremainsilent.Donotsayanything,especiallyabout
whereyouwerebornoryourimmigrationstatus.
Iftheimmigrationauthoritiesarrestyouatyourhome,followtheadvice
aboveaboutarrests.
IfImmigrationAuthoritiescometoyourworkplace:
DoNotPanic!

Donotrun!Itisbettertoremaincalm.Youcancalmlyleaveanareawhere
immigrationauthoritieshavecome.
Ifyouarearrested,followtheadviceaboveaboutarrests.

Preparingyourself/familyforimmigrationproceedings.Beforeyoufind
yourselfinoneofthesituationsabove,dothefollowing:



PAGE22
Findthenameofatrustworthyimmigrationattorneywhohelpspeoplein
immigrationcourt.Alwayscarryaroundhisorhercontactinformation.Make
suretheattorneyreviewsanyimmigrationdocumentsyouhaveandaskthe
attorneyforawrittencontractbeforemakinganypayments.
Ifyoualreadyappliedforanimmigrationbenefitorareindeportation
proceedings,youwillhavewhat’scalledan“Anumber”thatwillbeonallof
yourimmigration‐relatedpaperwork.Knowyour“Anumber”andleaveitin
asafeplaceinyourhomewhereyourfamilycanfindandaccessit.
IfyouhavekidsofyourownintheUnitedStates,prepareadocumentthat
authorizesanadulttotakecareofyourminorchildrenincaseyouarepicked
upbyimmigrationauthorities.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Adoption and Your Immigration Status
Ifyouareadopted,youmightbeabletochangeyourimmigrationstatusforthe
better.Thelawsarecomplicated,sotalktoalawyer—buthere’ssomebasic
information.
IfYouAreUndocumented
IfyouareadoptedbyU.S.citizenorgreencardholderparents,theycanpetitionfor
youtobecomeapermanentresident(inotherwords,getagreencard).Ifoneor
bothofyouradoptiveparentsisaU.S.citizen,theprocessismuchfaster.Ifyouare
adoptedbygreencardholders,itcantakeyears.
Youmustmeetalloftheserequirements:



Youareadoptedbeforeyour16thbirthday.(Ifthesamefamilyadoptsyour
brotherorsisterearlier,youcanbeuptoage18atthetimeoftheadoption.)
Youlivewithyouradoptedparent(s)for2years(beforeorafterthe
adoption).
Youradoptedparent(s)havelegalcustodyofyoufor2years(beforeorafter
theadoption).
Theprocesswilltakelongerifyouareover21,married,oryoucomefromacountry
thathassignedacertaininternationaltreatycalledtheHagueConvention(because
thetreatyrequirescertainadditionalsteps).
IfYouAlreadyHaveaGreenCardandAreAdopted
Ifoneorbothofyouradoptive
parentsbecomesaU.S.citizen,
andyouareunder18when
adopted,youmay
automaticallybecomeaU.S.
citizentoo.
Ifyouareover18whenyou
areadopted,youcanstillapply
forU.S.citizenshipfor
yourself.Youmustmeetthe
“normal”requirements—
havingagreencardfor5
years,stayingoutoftrouble
withthelawfor5years,etc.
Seethesectionentitled“U.S.
Citizenship”formore
information.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE23
CanYouHelpYourBirthParentsGetaGreenCardorU.S.Citizenship?
Onceyouareadopted,youcannothelpyourbirthparentsforimmigrationpurposes.
However,ifyoulegallyseparatefromyouradoptiveparentsandreunitewithyour
birthparents,youmightbeabletohelpthem.Inthatcase,here’showitworks:
Ifyouradoptiveparentshelpedyougetanimmigrationbenefit(forexample,
theyhelpedyougetagreencard),thenyoucannothelpyourbirthparents.
Ifyounevergotanyimmigrationbenefitthroughyouradoptiveparents,then
youmightbeabletohelpyourbirthparents.Remember,forthistohappen,
youmustbelegallyseparatedfromyouradoptiveparents.
PAGE24
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Helping Family Members Get Immigration Status or Come to the
United States
YoucanhelpfamilymemberscometotheU.S.—orgetimmigrationstatus,ifthey
arealreadyhere.
Todothis,youneedtohaveagreencardorbeaU.S.citizen.IfyouhaveDACAor
DAPA,youcannothelpyourfamilycomehere.


U.S.citizensandgreencardholderscanapplyfortheirspouses(including
same‐sexspouses)andunmarriedchildren.
U.S.citizensover21canalsoapplyfortheirmarriedchildren,parents,and
brothersandsisters.
U.S.citizenscanbringtheirspousesoryoungkids(unmarriedandunderage21)
fairlyquickly.Alltheothercategoriesmayrequireyearsofwaiting.Thenumberof
yearsdependsontheperson’scountryoforiginandhowthepersonisrelatedto
you.
Alsosomethingslikeasylum,Uvisa,T
visa,ortheVAWAself‐petitionallow
youtohelpcertainfamilymembers
comehereorgetpapersaswell.
IfyouhaveSpecialImmigrantJuvenile
Status(SIJS),youcan’thelpyourbirth
parentsgetpapers.Formore
informationonSIJS,seethesection
entitled“Howtogetagreencard.”
Notethatyourfamilymemberswill
havetoshowthattheydon’thaveanycriminalorimmigrationproblemsthatmake
themineligibletogetpapers.
HavingaChildWillNotHelpYouGetPapers
KidscanonlyhelptheirparentscometotheUnitedStatesorgetagreencardifthe
childisover21yearsold.ButifyoucametotheUnitedStatesbeforeJanuary1,
2010andhadaU.S.citizenchildonorbeforeNovember20,2014,youmaybeable
togetatemporaryworkpermit.Seethesectionentitled“DeferredActionfor
ParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanentResidents.”
WARNING:Theprocessofhelpingfamilymembersgetimmigrationstatusis
complicated,andyoucouldpossiblyhurtthepersonyouaretryingtohelp,
especiallyiftheyhaveacriminalhistoryorpastimmigrationviolations.Makesure
totalktoalawyerfirst.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE25
Immigrants and the U.S. Military
WhatIsSelectiveService?
TheSelectiveServiceSystemisanationaldatabasethatisusedtokeepinformation
aboutmenwhocouldberecruitedtothemilitary.TheU.S.governmenthasnot
requiredmentoserveinthemilitarysince1973,butmenstillhavetoregisterwith
theSelectiveService.
I’mNotaU.S.Citizen—DoIStillHavetoRegisterfortheSelectiveService?
Ifyouareamalebetweentheagesof18and26andyouliveintheUnitedStates,
thenyoumustregisterwithSelectiveService—evenifyouareherewithoutpapers.
Inotherwords,U.S.citizens,greencardholdersandundocumentedmen(including
DACArecipients)allmustregister.It’sthelaw.WomenandgirlsdoNOThaveto
registerfortheSelectiveService.Also,menlivingtemporarilyintheUnitedStates
onavalidvisa(suchasastudentvisa,workvisa,Uvisa,Tvisa,orothertemporary
visa)areNOTrequiredtoregister.
HowDoIRegisterforthe
SelectiveService?
Youcanregisterbyfillingouta
formatanyU.S.PostOfficeoron
theSelectiveServiceSystem
websiteatwww.sss.gov.Youdo
notneedasocialsecurity
numbertoregister.TheSelective
Servicedoesnotcollectany
informationtofindoutwhat
yourimmigrationstatusis.
WhatCouldHappenifIDon’t
RegisterfortheSelective
Service?
Failingtoregisterforthe
SelectiveServicecouldprevent
youfromgettingfederalfinancial
aidforcollege,afederaljob,or
federaljobtraining.Itcouldalsoaffectyourchancesofgettingagreencardor
becomingaU.S.citizen.Failingtoregistercanalso(inrarecases)leadtoprisontime
orabigmoneyfine.
PAGE26
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
CanIJointheMilitaryifIAmNotaU.S.Citizen?
ImmigrantswithgreencardscanjointheU.S.militaryiftheyhavelivedinthe
UnitedStates.However,jobsinthemilitaryaremorelimitedforgreencardholders
thanforU.S.citizensbecauseimmigrantscannotbecomecommissionedofficersor
getjobsthatrequireasecurityclearance.ImmigrantswhohavebeengrantedDACA,
temporaryprotectedstatus,orasylummayalsobeabletojointhemilitaryifthey
havecertainlanguageorjobskillsthatthemilitaryneeds.Undocumented
immigrantscannotjointhemilitary.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE27
Voting
WhoCanVote?
Tovote,youmustbe18yearsoldandaU.S.citizen.Thisistrueeverywhereinthe
UnitedStates.DonottrytovoteifyouarenotaU.S.citizen.Doingsocouldprevent
youfromgettingpaperslateron.
Someotherdetailsvaryfromstatetostate.Inmoststates,includingCalifornia,you
can’tvoteifyouareinprisonoronparole.
InCalifornia,tovoteinanelection,youneedtoregisteratleast15daysbeforehand.
Onceyouregister,youarecoveredforallfutureelections.However,ifyoumovetoa
newaddress,youneedtore‐register.
IfYouAreEligible,YouShouldRegistertoVote
Votingisnotrequiredbylaw.However,itisoneofthebasicrightsand
responsibilitiesofU.S.citizenship.Ifyoudon’tmakeyourvoiceheardbyvoting,
whoelseisgoingtodoitforyou?
ItIsEasytoRegister
Voterregistrationformsareavailableinschools,libraries,postoffices,etc.Toget
oneinthemail,call1‐800‐345‐VOTEorgotowww.registertovote.ca.gov.
YouCanSupportAny
PoliticalParty,orNoneat
All
Whenyouregistertovote,
youcancheckaboxsaying
youareaDemocrat,
Republican,oramemberof
anotherparty.Ifyoudon’t
supportanypartyin
particular,youcanalso
checkaboxsayingyou
“declinetostateapolitical
party.”
Ifyouregisterasa
Democrat,youcanstillvote
forRepublicans,andvice
versa.
PAGE28
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
IfYouAreNotaU.S.Citizen,BeCarefultoNotRegistertoVoteAccidentally
Asmentionedabove,itiseasytoregistertovote.Forexample,sometimesyougeta
voterregistrationformwhenyouaregettingyourdriver’slicense.Thisisnicefor
U.S.citizens,butsometimesitleadsnoncitizenstoregistertovotewithoutrealizing
whattheyaredoing.IfyouarenotaU.S.citizen,registeringtovoteisaseriousoffense
andcanleadtoyourdeportation.
WARNING:IfyouarenotaU.S.citizen,ornot18yearsold,donotregisteranddo
notvote.Sometimespeopledothisaccidentallyandtheycangetprosecutedand
evendeported.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE29
Social Security Numbers
WhatIsaSocialSecurityNumber(SSN)?
YourSSNisanimportantpieceofyouridentity.Toworklegally,youneedanSSN.
ManyotherinstitutionsalsouseyourSSNasanIDnumber.
MostpeoplebornintheUnitedStatesgetanSSNshortlyaftertheyareborn.Ifyou
areolderwhenyouapply,youhavetoshowdocumentsprovingthatyouqualify.
WhoCanGetanSSN?
U.S.citizensandimmigrantswhohavebeengrantedpermissiontoworkcanhavea
legalSSN.Ifyouarenotauthorizedtowork,youcanapplyonlyifyouneedanSSN
togetagovernmentbenefit(suchasfoodstamps,etc.)Youmustbeeligibleforthe
benefit.Adriver’slicensedoesn’tcountasabenefit!
YouDon’tNeedanSSNFor





Bankaccounts
 Privatehealthinsurance
Educationaltests
 Filingtaxes
Schoollunchorlow‐costhousing
 InCA,adriver’slicense
School
Certaintypesoffinancialaidapplications(seesectionentitled“Goingto
College”formoreinformation)
AlthoughtheseprogramsmayaskforanSSN,ifyoudon’thaveanSSN,justtellthem
andtheycangiveyouanotherIDnumber.
IfYouCan’tGetanSSN,YouShouldGetanIndividualTaxpayerIdentification
Number(ITIN)
HavinganITINwillallowyoutopayyourtaxes,openabankaccount,etc.Ifyouare
undocumented,applyingforanITINwillnotgetyouintroublewiththeimmigration
authorities.TogetanITIN,call1‐800‐829‐3676andaskforformW‐7.
Warning:Itisacrimetousesomeoneelse’sSSN—don’tdoit!
PAGE30
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Working in the United States
WhatDoINeedtoWorkLegallyintheUnitedStates?
ToworklegallyintheUnitedStates,youmust:



beoldenoughtowork,
havesomekindofidentificationdocument,and
haveproofthatyouareeligibletoworkintheUnitedStates.
HowOldDoIHavetoBetoWork?
Ifyouare18,youcangetanykindofjob.Ifyouare16or17,youcanonlygetjobs
thatarenotconsideredtobehazardous.Ifyouare14or15,youcanonlygetjobs
thatarenotconsideredtobehazardousandforverylimitedhoursduringtheschool
year.Somejobsyoucangetatanyage.Theyinclude:deliveringnewspapers,
babysittinginsomeone’shome,performingintelevision,movieortheatrical
productions,andmowinganeighbor’slawn.
WhatDocumentsWillINeedtoShowtoWorkLegally?
Onceyou’rehiredforajob,youwillusuallyneedtofilloutaformcalledanI‐9.As
partofthisform,youwillneedtoprovidedocumentationtoshowthatyoucan
legallyworkintheUnitedStatesanddocumentationtoshowyouridentity.Donot
saythatyouareaU.S.citizenifyouarenot!
Examplesofdocumentsthat
provebothyouridentityand
abilitytoworkintheUnited
Statesinclude:




AU.S.passport
Aforeignpassportwitha
stampthatshowsyou’rea
lawfulpermanent
resident
Agreencard
Aworkpermitissuedby
U.S.Citizenship&
ImmigrationServices
(USCIS)
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE31
Examplesofdocumentsthatproveyouridentityinclude:


ACaliforniadriver’slicenseorIDcard
SchoolIDcardwithphotograph
ExamplesofdocumentsthatproveyourabilitytoworkintheUnitedStates:



PAGE32
U.S.socialsecuritycard(unlessitsays“notvalidforemployment”or“valid
onlywithworkauthorization”)
OriginalorcertifiedU.S.birthcertificate
AworkpermitissuedbyUSCIS
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Paying Taxes
Taxesarethemoneypeoplemustpaytothegovernmentforthingslikepublic
schools,parks,roads,andotherservices.Taxescanbetakenoutofyourpaycheckat
thefederal,state,andlocallevels.
DoIHavetoPayTaxes?
Generally,ifyouareworking,youwillhavetopaytaxes,andeveryyearyouwill
havetofilepaperworkwiththegovernmentcalledanincometaxreturn.Only
peoplewhomakeacertainamountofmoneymustpayincometaxes.Forexample,
in2013,youmayhaveonlyhadtopaytaxesifyouearnedmorethan$10,000that
year.Youhavetopaytaxeswhetherornotyouhaveimmigrationstatus.
Undocumentedimmigrantsarerequiredtopaytaxesthesameasanyoneelse.
PayingtaxeswillNOTgetyouintroublewiththeimmigrationauthorities,andin
factcouldmakeitmucheasierforyoutogetimmigrationstatuslaterifyoudon’t
haveitalready.
Ifyoudonotfileataxreturnorpayyourtaxes,therecouldbesevereconsequences:



Thegovernmentcouldchargeyoumoremoney.
Youcouldgotojail.
Itcouldnegativelyimpactyourimmigrationstatus,andaffectyourchances
ofgettingagreencardorofbecomingaU.S.citizen.
HowDoIPayTaxesifIDon’tHavePapers?
Ifyouareworking,butdonotqualifyforasocialsecuritynumber,youshould
requestanIndividualTaxpayerIdentificationNumber(ITIN).
ITIN



Youdon’tneedimmigrationpaperstogetone.
Thegovernmenttaxoffice(alsoknownastheInternalRevenueServiceor
the“IRS”)willnotgiveyourinformationtoimmigration.
Youcanuseittopayyourtaxes.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE33

ItdoesnotgiveyoupermissiontoworkintheUnitedStateslegallyor
provideeligibilityforSocialSecuritybenefitsorothertax‐relatedbenefits.
YoucannothavebothasocialsecuritynumberandanITIN.

WhatifI’veBeenWorking,butHaven’tPaidTaxes?
Ifyouhaveasocialsecuritynumber,butyouhaven’tpaidyourtaxes,youshouldfile
ataxreturnrightaway.Youwillfindoutifyouowemoney,oryouwillreceivea
refundifyoualreadypaidtoomuchmoney.
Ifyoudon’thavepapers,youshouldapplyforanITIN.Then,youwillbeabletofilea
taxreturnforallthepreviousyears.Checkwithanaccountantortaxattorneyifyou
needassistance.
PAGE34
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Receiving Public Benefits
Thegovernmenthasmanydifferentpublicbenefitsprograms.Somearerunbythe
stateorlocalgovernmentandsomearerunbythefederalgovernment.Some
benefitsareforpeoplewithdisabilitiesorwhohavebeeninjuredatwork,andsome
areforpeoplewithlowincomes.Thissectionfocusesonbenefitsforlow‐income
people.
Ifyouthinkyoumaybeeligibleforabenefit,besuretocheck.Immigrantyouthin
thefostercaresystemcanasktheirsocialworkers.Othersmaywanttocheckwith
theirlocallegalservicesagency.Othergoodresourcesonimmigranteligibilityfor
publicbenefitsarethematerialsonthe
NationalImmigrationLawCenter
(NILC)websiteatwww.nilc.org.
Theinformationbelowisspecificto
California.Ifyouliveinanotherstate,
someoftheinformationwillbethe
sameandsomewillbedifferent.Evenif
youliveinCalifornia,keepinmindthat
thisisjustaroughoutlineofthe
programsandtherules.
WhatKindofBenefitProgramsAre
ThereinCalifornia?
Therearenumerouspublicbenefits
programsforlow‐incomepeoplewhoqualify.Themorecommononesinclude:SSI
forpeoplewhoareseniors,blindorwhohaveadisability;CashAssistance
ProgramforImmigrants(CAPI)inCaliforniaforcertainimmigrantseniorsand
personswithdisabilitieswhocan’tgetSSI;CalFresh/CFAP(formerlyFood
Stamps,andalsoknownasSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram
(SNAP))tobuygroceries;WICforpregnantandpostpartummothersandkids
under5yearsoldtobuynutritiousfoods;CalWORKs/TANFcashaidtofamilies
withkids;andMedi‐Cal/Medicaidforhealthcare.
WhoCanGetBenefitsinCalifornia?
ThebenefitsthatCaliforniaresidentscanreceivedependontheirimmigration
statusaswellasothereligibilityrules.Ofcourse,nomatterwhat,youstillneedto
meetotherguidelines—likehavingalowincome.
IfyouareaU.S.citizen:Youarepotentiallyeligibleforallofthebenefitsprograms.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE35
Ifyouareavictimoftrafficking(beingforcedtowork,beingateenprostitute,
etc.):Youandyourkidsarepotentiallyeligibleforallofthebenefitsprograms.
Everyoneelse:Itdependsonseveralthings.Someprogramsareavailableto
Californiaresidents,regardlessoftheirimmigrationstatus;someareavailabletoa
broadgroupofimmigrantswhoarelawfullyresidingintheU.S.;andsomeprograms
areavailableonlytocitizensand“qualified”immigrantswhomeetcertainrules.
Youarea“qualifiedimmigrant”if:







Youhaveagreencard
Youarearefugeeorasylee
Youweregrantedwithholdingofremoval/deportation
YouarefromCubaorHaitiandmeetcertainotherrules
YouwereparoledintotheU.S.(andyourparolewasexpectedtolastatleast
ayear)
You,yourparent,orchildwereabusedbyafamilymember,andhaveapplied
forpermissiontostayintheUnitedStates
Youareasurvivoroftrafficking
Evenifyouarea“qualified”immigrant,eligibilityforsomeprogramsdependson
whenyouenteredtheUnitedStates,whenyouobtainedyourstatus,andwhether
youhaveasponsor.
Lastly,evenifyouarenot“qualified,”youmaybeeligibleforotherbenefitsnot
listedhere.FormoreinformationontheimmigranteligibilityrulesinCalifornia,see
thefollowingNILCwebpage:www.nilc.org/benefitsca.html
PAGE36
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Getting an ID
It’simportanttohavesomesortofidentification.YouneedanIDinmanysituations,
includingwhenopeningabankaccountorifstoppedbythepolice.Ifyoudon’thave
anIDonyou,thepolicecanbringyoudowntothepolicestationtocheckyour
identity—evenifyouhaven’tdoneanythingwrong.
ThemostcommonformofIDisadriver’slicense.Youcanalsouseagreencard,or
otherdocumentsissuedbytheU.S.government.Ifyoudon’thaveanyofthose,
considerthesetwooptions:
StateID
YoucangetastateIDcardfrom
theDepartmentofMotorVehicles
(alsoknownasthe“DMV”)—the
samepeoplewhoissuedriver’s
licenses.TheDMVgenerallyneeds
toseethesamedocumentsthat
arerequiredforadriver’slicense.
Thereisnoagelimit,andyou
don’thavetotakeanydriving‐
relatedteststogetastateID.
CalltheDMVofficeclosesttoyou
tomakeanappointment.Youcan’tgetastateIDovertheinternetorthroughthe
mail.
MatriculaConsularforUndocumentedPeopleandLegalResidents
Mexicoandanumberofothercountriesprovide“matriculasconsular”totheir
citizenswhoarelivingintheUnitedStates.ThissectionwilltalkaboutMexicoasan
example.Thedetailsaresimilarforothercountriesthathavethematricula.
TogetaMexicanmatricula,youdonotneedtoshowthatyouhaveimmigration
papers;youonlyneedtoshowthatyouwereborninMexicoandnowlivehere.To
proveyouareMexican,youcanbringdocumentslikeabirthorbaptismal
certificate,oraMexicanpassport(itcanbeexpired).Toproveyoulivehere,youcan
bringthingslikeastudentIDorapaycheckfromalocalcompany.
Calltheconsulatefromyourhomecountryclosesttowhereyoulivetocheckonthe
detailsofwhatyouneed.Youcouldalsospeaktoyourconsulateaboutthe
possibilityofapplyingforapassportfromyourcountryoforigin.
Noteverybank,policedepartment,orotherinstitutionrecognizesamatriculaasa
validID.However,manydo.Insomestates(includingCalifornia),youcanusea
matriculatogetadriver’slicense.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE37
Getting a Driver’s License
Everystatehasdifferentdrivinglaws.ThefollowinginformationisforCalifornia.
WhoNeedstoApplyforaLicense?
Ifyouhavealicensefromanotherstateorcountry,youcanlegallydrivein
California.ButpeoplelivinginCaliforniaaresupposedtogetaCalifornialicense.
IfYouAreUndocumented,Can
YouGetaCaliforniaDriver’s
License?
AsofJanuary2,2015,peoplein
Californiacangetadriver’s
licenseeveniftheyare
undocumented.Thelicensefor
undocumentedpeopleiscalled
an“AB60license”afterthenameofthislaw.
HowtoApplyforaLicense
PleaseseetheDMVwebsiteatwww.dmv.ca.govforinformationinEnglishand
Spanishabouthowundocumentedpeoplecanapplyforadriver’slicense.In
general,youwillhavetodothefollowingtoapply:
1. Provideofficialidentificationdocuments—notcopies—thatshowwhoyou
are.Thismightincludeapassport,birthcertificate,and/orconsularID.See
thesectionentitled“GettinganID.”
2. ShowthatyouliveinCalifornia.Documentscouldincludeleases,bank
statements,medicalrecords,schoolrecords,utilitybills,etc.
3. Passavisiontest,awrittentestontrafficsafety,andadrivingtest.
Ifyouhaveanyoutstandingtrafficticketsyoushouldpaythembeforeapplyingfora
license.Ifyouhaveusedfalseinformation,suchasafakenameorfakesocial
securitynumber,inthepasttogetadriver’slicense,youcouldbereferredfor
criminalprosecutioniftheDMVthinksthatyouusedthatfalseinformationfor
certainbadreasons,likeavoidingpayingchildsupportorstealingsomeone’s
identity.Ifyouusedfalseinformationinthepastsolelytogetadriver’slicense,you
shouldbeokay.
WARNING:Youshouldtalktoanattorneybeforeapplyingforadriver’slicenseif
youareundocumentedand:
 haveacriminalrecord(asanadult),or
 haveolddeportationorders.
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IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Going to College
IWanttoGotoCollege,butI’mUndocumented—WillIHavetoPayMorein
Tuition?
Itdependsonthestate.CaliforniapassedlegislationcalledAB540thatlets
undocumentedstudentspaythesamein‐statetuitionasotherCaliforniastudentsat
allofitspubliccollegesanduniversities.(Inmanyotherstates,undocumented
studentsmustpayout‐of‐stateorforeignstudenttuitionwhichismuchhigher.)
Ifyouareundocumented,youmaybeeligibleforin‐statetuitioninCaliforniaifyou:




AttendedahighschoolinCaliforniaforthreeormoreyears
GraduatedfromhighschooloracquiredaGED
Fileanaffidavitwithyourcollegeoruniversitystatingthatyouhaveorwill
fileanapplicationtofixyourimmigrationstatusassoonasyouareeligible.
MostCaliforniastatecollegesanduniversitieshavestandardaffidavitsthat
youjustneedtosign.Theinformationyouprovideisconfidentialandwill
notbesharedwiththeimmigrationauthorities.
Arenotonacurrentnonimmigrantvisa.Thismeansyoudonotalreadyhave
somethinglikeatouristvisaorastudentvisa.
OtherStatesThatLetUndocumentedStudentsPayin‐StateTuition
Utah,NewYork,Oklahoma,Washington,Kansas,Illinois,NewMexico,Nebraska,
Texas,Colorado,Minnesota,Oregon,Massachusetts(onlyforDACArecipients),
Connecticut,Maryland,andRhodeIsland.TheUniversityofMichiganandthe
UniversityofHawaiialsoallow
undocumentedstudentstopay
in‐statetuitionattheirspecific
universities.
IfI’mUndocumented,AmI
EligibleforCollegeFinancial
Aid?
Undocumentedstudents,
includingDACArecipients,are
noteligibleforfederalfinancial
aid(FAFSA).However,youmay
beeligibleforstateaid.Californiahasthe“CADreamAct”(AB130&131),which
allowsundocumentedstudentstoreceivefinancialaidfromthestategovernment
andprivatescholarships.TobeeligibleforthistypeofaidinCalifornia,youmust
meetthesamerequirementslistedaboveforin‐statetuition.TheCADreamActis
separatefromthefederalDREAMActanddoesn’tgiveanytypeofimmigration
statustostudents.
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE39
WhoIsEligibletoReceiveFederalFinancialAid?
Toreceivefederalfinancialaid,youmustbeoneofthefollowing:





AU.S.citizenorU.S.national
Agreencardholder
Arefugee,asylee,orparolee
AnabusedspouseorchildofaU.S.citizenorgreencardholderwitha
pendingorapprovedimmigrationapplication
ApersonwithaTvisa(traffickingsurvivors)
Inaddition,youmust:






PAGE40
Haveavalidsocialsecuritynumber
BeregisteredwithSelectiveService,ifrequired(seesectionentitled
“ImmigrantsandtheU.S.Military”formoreinformation)
HaveahighschooldiplomaoraGEDcertificate
Beenrolledoracceptedforenrollmentasaregularstudentworkingtoward
adegreeorcertificate
Beabletoshowfinancialneed
NOThavebeenconvictedforcertaindrugcrimesorsubjecttoinvoluntary
civilcommitmentforasexualoffense
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
Banking and Credit Cards
CanIOpenaBankAccountifIDon’tHaveaSocialSecurityNumber?
Yes,somebanksandcreditunionswillacceptanIndividualTaxpayerIdentification
Number(ITIN)insteadofasocialsecuritynumber.Ifyoudon’thaveasocial
securitynumberoranITIN,thebankmayallowyouinsteadtojustfilloutaform.
Forallbanks,toopenabankaccountyouwillalsoneedtwoformsofidentification.
Checkwiththebankfirst,though,tomakesurethattheywillacceptyourITINor
anotherformifyoudon’thaveasocialsecuritynumber.
TheFormsofIDThattheBankWillAcceptAre:
Atleastonehastobeoneofthefollowing:






Driver’sLicense
Passport
StateID
MilitaryID
MatriculaConsular
GreenCard
Thesecondonecanbeoneofthese:




WorkID
SchoolID
Creditcard
Debitcardfromanotherbank
Warning:Donotuseafalsesocialsecuritynumber!Ifyoudo,thebankwillfindout,
anditwillcloseyouraccount,returnyourmoney,andnotletyouopenanother
account.
CanIApplyforaCreditCardwithoutaSocialSecurityNumber?
Itdependsonthecreditcardcompany.SomewillacceptanITIN,andmostoffera
“prepaid”creditcardinwhichyoudepositthemoneyfirstanduseitasyourcredit
limit.Thesecardsaremainlyforestablishingcreditforpeoplewhodon’thaveany
credithistoryorhavebadcredit.
Becarefulwithcreditcards!Itisveryeasytoaccumulatedebt,andcanbeveryhard
togetoutofit.Creditcardsusuallyhaveveryhighinterestratesandhighfeesfor
latepaymentsandforgoingoveryourlimit.Thismeansyoumayendupowing
muchmoremoneytothecreditcardcompanythanyoueverchargedonthecredit
card!Itisveryimportanttounderstandhowcreditcardswork,andtopaythemoff
IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015
PAGE41
everymonth.Bewareofunfamiliarcreditcardcompaniesandthosethatoffer“great
deals”—thesedealsareusuallytemporaryandinvolveacatch.
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IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015