The Central American Minors program allows qualifying children in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to enter the United States and live here lawfully if they have a parent or legal guardian in the United States with certain kinds of immigration status. This fact sheet provides information on basic eligibility and where to go for help.
This webinar included a legal analysis of the Texas decision; what it means for the future of DACA; the practical impacts of the decision on current DACA recipients, DACA-eligible students, and campuses; its implications for the ongoing negotiations in Congress regarding a roadmap to citizenship for Dreamers and other undocumented populations; the response of and next steps for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and the opportunities and urgency for advocacy by higher education leaders and communities.
Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is an important form of protection that has been the subject of many changes and updates over the last few years. A recent Supreme Court decision limiting where and how certain TPS holders can apply for permanent residence through a family member has created confusion in the community. This resource provides a quick overview of the rights and options of TPS recipients and outlines the paths to permanent residence that remain available to many TPS holders.
Advance parole allows approved DACA recipients to travel outside the United States with advance permission to re-enter the United States (or be “paroled” into the country upon their return). A DACA recipient must request and receive advance parole approval before traveling outside of the United States. They should not travel outside the United States without advance parole, or their deferred action will automatically be terminated. Join experts from the ILRC and ILD to learn more about the requirements for DACA advance parole as well as the process for applying for and possible immigration benefits of traveling with advance parole.
The recent legislative debates in Congress around legalization have left many community members with questions, and although none of these bills have become law, many are asking how they can prepare for an immigration case in the future. This resource provides three steps community members can take now to understand their legal options and what they can expect when seeking legal support.
Persons are barred from receiving or renewing DACA if they have been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, three or more misdemeanors, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. DACA applicants who have been arrested or convicted of a crime may still be eligible, but they should first obtain their criminal records and take them to an expert immigration practitioner to obtain legal advice about their eligibility and potential risks of applying. This resource provides persons applying for DACA with instructions about what criminal records they need for their application and how they can find them.
Rules about public benefit programs and immigrants are confusing. But benefits can help your family stay healthy and thrive. Everyone in the community must have access to health care and important support services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, many immigrants do not seek the services available to them for fear it will impact their immigration case. This webinar provided an overview of what public charge is, who it applies to, and the latest information on how the public charge test works. It will also give updates on which public benefits, tax credits, COVID-19 relief, and emergency response programs are available and won’t affect a green card or visa eligibility.
Despite new state laws legalizing cannabis for recreational use, archaic U.S. drug laws still classify marijuana as federally illegal. Because immigration is governed by federal law, this means that noncitizens may face serious problems down the line if they are not aware of how their experiences with cannabis could impact their immigration journey. This video and accompanying infographic detail the specific risks associated with the use or possession of cannabis and/or industry employment.
TPS recipients from six countries face potential termination of that protection from the Trump Administration, potentially impacting approximately 300,000 people. This resource provides an update on the current status of TPS for these countries and what rights and options beneficiaries have. It also outlines what they might expect as a result of legal challenges to the termination and under a new administration.
The webinar provided an analysis of the impact of the current DACA decision (more information down below), immigration policy changes we might expect in the Biden administration, and how students faculty and staff can access free legal services.
For many immigrants, learning what their status is does not come into full scope until they apply for driver’s licenses, financial aid, travel documents, or other benefits that are a part of adulthood’s accompanying responsibilities. Regardless of one’s age, however, it is important that everyone understand the differences between the distinct categories recognized by the federal government so as to be well informed and exercise caution throughout daily life.
With the federal government’s growing and constant threat to immigrants of all statuses, the following is a reminder worth noting: permanent residents, or “green card” holders, continue to have all the same rights. This fact sheet provides information on your rights as well as things to keep in mind if you want to travel outside the United States, have been convicted of a crime, or are eligible to naturalize to become a U.S. citizen.