living in the united states - ilrc€¦ · 11 things every youth with a green card should know a...

Living in the United States A Guide for Immigrant Youth

IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015

Table of Contents Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3

DoYouKnowYourImmigrationStatus?.........................................................................................4

10ThingsEveryUndocumentedYouthShouldKnow...............................................................7

11ThingsEveryYouthwithaGreenCardShouldKnow.........................................................8

U.S.Citizenship.........................................................................................................................................10

HowtoGetaGreenCard(IfYouAreUndocumented)...........................................................12

DACA(DeferredActionforChildhoodArrivals)........................................................................14

DAPA(DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanentResidents)...........................................................................................................................16

InvolvementwithGangs......................................................................................................................18

WatchOutforImmigrationScams!.................................................................................................19

DeportationandOtherImmigrationProblems..........................................................................20

KnowYourRights...................................................................................................................................21

AdoptionandYourImmigrationStatus........................................................................................23

HelpingFamilyMembersGetImmigrationStatusorCometotheUnitedStates................................................................................................................................25

ImmigrantsandtheU.S.Military......................................................................................................26

Voting...........................................................................................................................................................28

SocialSecurityNumbers......................................................................................................................30

WorkingintheUnitedStates.............................................................................................................31

PayingTaxes..............................................................................................................................................33

ReceivingPublicBenefits.....................................................................................................................35

GettinganID..............................................................................................................................................37

GettingaDriver’sLicense....................................................................................................................38

GoingtoCollege.......................................................................................................................................39

BankingandCreditCards....................................................................................................................41

IMMIGRANTLEGALRESOURCECENTER2015 PAGE3

Introduction Immigrationissuesaretricky.Therearemanywaysinwhichyourimmigrationstatus—whetheryou’reagreencardholderorundocumented—canimpactyourabilitytogetajob,gotocollege,orevenremainintheUnitedStates.That’swhywecreatedthisresourceespeciallyforimmigrantyouth.Wehopeyoufindituseful.

AbouttheImmigrantLegalResourceCenter(ILRC)

TheImmigrantLegalResourceCenter(ILRC)isanonprofitorganizationinSanFranciscothatprovidestrainings,materialsandadvocacytoadvanceimmigrantrights.TheILRCworkswithimmigrantsandcitizenstomakecriticallegalassistanceandsocialservicesaccessibletoall,regardlessofincome,andtobuildasocietythatvaluesdiversityandrespectsthedignityandrightsofallpeople.Findusonthewebatwww.ilrc.org.Abigthankyoutothefollowingpeopleformakingthisbookpossible:AngieJunck,AlisonKamhi,RachelPrandini,andSallyKinoshitaattheImmigrantLegalResourceCenter,BarbaraPinto,HayleyUpshaw,JayMartinSteinman,SotivearSim,JennyCohen,TanyaBroder,ChristineWongYap,andespeciallytotheyouthatLegalServicesforChildrenandtheSanFranciscoIndependentLivingSkillsProgram.

ThisupdatedresourcewasmadepossiblethroughfundingfromtheWalterS.JohnsonFoundationIllustrationsbyChristineWongYap

2015


Do You Know Your Immigration Status? Mostpeoplefallintooneofthreecategories:U.S.citizens,greencardholders,orundocumented.Therearealsoothercategories,likerefugees,TPS,andUVisaholders.ManyyouthmayalsobeeligiblefordeferredactionstatusthroughDACAorDAPA.Seethenextpageforinformationonthose.Peoplewithgreencardsareoftencalled“LPRs”(legalpermanentresidents).Forinformationongettingagreencard,seethesection“Howtogetagreencard.”ForinformationonbeingaU.S.citizen,seethesection“U.S.Citizenship.” U.S.Citizen GreenCard

Holder(PermanentResident)

DACA/DAPA Undocumented

Document U.S.passportorbirthcertificate

Greencard(thecolorisnotactuallygreen)

Workpermit,SocialSecurityCard

NoU.S.papers

CanYouBeDeported?

No Yes,ifyoubreakcertainlawsordootherthingsthatwouldallowajudgetodeportyou

Yes,ifthegovernmentdecidestonolongerallowyoutoremainintheU.S.

Yes,atanytime

CanYouLegallyWork?

Yes Yes Yes No

CanYouVote?

Yes No No No

DoYouHavetheRighttoEducation?

Yes Yes Yes(butyoucan’tgetin‐statecollegetuitioninmanystates.YoucaninCAunderAB540.)

Yes(butyoucan’tgetin‐statecollegetuitioninmanystates.YoucaninCAunderAB540.)


CanYouGetFederalFinancialAidforCollege?

Yes Yes No(butinCA,youcanobtainstateaidundertheCADreamAct)

No(butinCA,youcanobtainstateaidundertheCADreamAct)

CanYouGetaDriver’sLicense?

Yes Yes YesforDACA.ProbablyyesforDAPA.

Dependsonthestate(inCA,youcanunderAB60).

CanYouGetaSocialSecurityNumber?

Yes Yes Yes No

CanYouHelpFamilyMembersImmigrate/GetPapers?

Yes Yes,butwithrestrictions(youcanhelpfewerpeople,andthewaitsarelongerthancitizens)

No No

CanYouTraveloutsidetheU.S.?

Yes—norestrictions

Yes,butnotforlongperiods

Yes,butonlywithaspecialpermityouhavetoobtaininadvance

Ifyouleave,youcan’tlegallyreturn

OtherImmigrationCategoriesSpecialImmigrantJuvenileStatus(SIJS):Allowsyoutostayinthecountry,work,andgetagreencard.Youmustbeseparatedfromoneorbothofyourparentsduetoproblemsathome.Ifyouhavebeenabandoned,abusedorneglectedbyoneorbothofyourparentsandareundocumented,youshouldtrytoapplyforthis.DeferredActionforChildhoodArrivals(DACA)andDeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanentResidents(DAPA):AlthoughdeferredactiondoesnotgiveyoutherighttostayintheU.S.permanently,likehavingagreencard,DACAorDAPAwilltemporarilyprotectyoufrombeingdeportedandallowyoutoworkintheU.S.Seethesectionsentitled“Deferred


ActionforChildhoodArrivals”and“DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanentResidents”formoreinformation.Refugee/Asylee:Inyourhomecountry,youwerethreatenedorfacefuturethreatsduetoyouroryourfamily’sreligion,politicalviews,race,etc.YoucanliveandworkintheU.Sandgetagreencard.TemporaryProtectedStatus:Youdonothavepapers,butbecauseofproblemsinyourhomecountry(acivilwar,earthquake,etc.)theU.S.governmentallowsyoutostayuntilthedangerhaspassed.UorTVisa:YouhavebeenthevictimofacrimeintheU.S.ortrafficking.YoucanliveandworkintheU.S.andgetagreencard(eventually).


10 Things Every Undocumented Youth Should Know IfyoudonothavelegalimmigrationstatusintheUnitedStates,youareatrisk.Keepthesepointsinmind:1. Ifapproachedbyimmigrationauthorities,donotsignanypapersanddo

nottalktothemunlessyoucheckwithalawyerfirst.2. Stayoutoftroublewiththelaw.Inmost,ifnotallplaces,policeandotherlaw

enforcementwillshareyourfingerprintswithimmigrationauthorities.Insomeplaces,policemayevenhandyournameorotherpersonalinformationovertoimmigrationauthorities.Ifyoucommitacrime,itwillmakeithardertogetlegalstatusinthefuture.

3. Ifyouarechargedwithacrime,makesureyourlawyer(whetherprivate

orapublicdefender)knowsyourimmigrationstatus.YourlawyerisrequiredundertheConstitutiontoinformyouofthewayyourcriminalcasewillaffectyourimmigrationcase.Lettingthemknowyourimmigrationstatuswillallowthemtobesthelpyou.

4. Don’tcrosstheborder.Onceyouleavethecountry,youcan’tlegallyre‐enter

theU.S.5. Ifyouareworkingillegally,youshouldstillpaytaxes.Thiswillimproveyour

chancesofgettinglegalpapersinthefuture.6. Ifyou’remale,registerforthe“SelectiveService”whenyouturn18.The

immigrationauthoritieswillNOTseeyourinformation.Likepayingtaxes,thiswillmakeiteasiertogetlegalpapersinthefuture.

7. Ifatallpossible,trytobecomealegalresident.Seethesectionentitled“How

togetagreencard.”8. Havingachildwillnothelpyoubecomelegal.Achildcanonlyhelphisorher

parentgetagreencardifthechildisover21yearsold.(AlthoughhavingachildmayhelpsomeonequalifyforDAPA,DAPAisnotagreencard,anditisonlyforpeoplewhohadU.S.citizenchildrenonorbeforeNovember20,2014.Seesectionentitled“DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanentResidents”).

9. Donotlie(toapersonoronaform)andsayyouareaU.S.citizenwhenyou

arenot.Afalseclaimtocitizenshipistakenseriouslybythegovernmentandcouldhurtyourchancesofevergettingagreencardorgetyoudeported.

10.Donotlieaboutyourage.Peopleunder18areentitledtocertainprotections

inimmigrationlaw,andifyouareunder18,youshouldsayso.


11 Things Every Youth with a Green Card Should Know Agreencardgivesyoumanyrights,butyoustillhavetobecareful.Notethesepoints:1. Stayoutoftroublewiththelaw.Someoffenses,evenminorones,canleadto

youbeingdeported.2. Ifyouarechargedwithacrime,makesureyourlawyer(whetherprivate

orapublicdefender)knowsyourimmigrationstatus.YourlawyerisrequiredundertheConstitutiontoinformyouhowyourcriminalcasewillaffectyourimmigrationsituation.Lettingthemknowyourimmigrationstatuswillallowthemtobesthelpyou.

3. Ifyouchangeyouraddress,telltheimmigrationauthoritiesimmediately.

Youneedtodothiswithin10daysofthemove.Gotowww.uscis.gov,clickon“Tools”andthenclickon“ChangeyourAddressonFile.”

4. Youneedtogetanew

greencardevery10years.Yourstatusdoesn’texpire,youwilljustneedtoreplacethecard.Lookatyourgreencardtofinditsexpirationdate.

5. Ifapproachedby

immigrationauthorities,donotsignanypapersanddonottalktothemunlessyoucheckwithalawyerfirst.

6. Totraveloutsidethe

UnitedStates,youneedapassportfromyourhomecountry.IfyoulaterbecomeaU.S.citizen,youcanuseaU.S.passport.

7. Don’tleavethecountryforlongperiods.Ifyouaregoneforsixmonthsor

longer,youmighthavecomplicationscomingbacktotheU.S.,andifit’smorethanayearyoumightnotbeabletore‐entertheUnitedStates.Ifyouhavea


goodreasontobegoneforalongtime,youcanaskforpermission,butyouneedtodothisbeforethetrip,ifpossible.

8. Ifyou’remale,registerforthe“SelectiveService”whenyouturn18.This

willmakeitpossibleforyoutoreceivecertainbenefits,andapplyforU.S.citizenship.

9. Ifyouareworking,paytaxesifyouowethem.Thiswillkeepyououtoflegal

troubleandallowyoutobecomeaU.S.citizenlater.Formoreinformation,seethesectionentitled“Taxes.”

10.ApplyforU.S.citizenshipwhenyouareeligibleorencourageaparentwhoyou

livewithtoapplyforcitizenshipbeforeyouturn18sothatyoucanautomaticallybecomeacitizenwithouthavingtoapplylater.Formoreinformationonwhyandhow,seethesectionentitled“U.SCitizenship.”

11.Donotlie(toapersonoronaform)andsayyouareaU.S.citizenwhenyou

arenot.Afalseclaimtocitizenshipistakenseriouslybythegovernmentandcouldhurtyourchancesofevergettingagreencardorgetyoudeported.


U.S. Citizenship It’saverygoodideatoapplyforU.S.Citizenship.OnceyoubecomeaU.S.Citizen,you:

Can’tbedeported.(Ifyouhaveagreencard,youcanstillbedeportedifyouhaveproblemswiththelaw.)

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!

OneofthemostcommonwaystobecomeacitizenforpeoplewhowerenotbornintheU.S.istonaturalize.ToapplytobecomeaU.S.Citizenthroughnaturalization,youneedto:

Beatleast18yearsold. Haveagreencardfor5years(lessifyoumarryaU.S.citizenorjointhe

military). HavelivedintheUnitedStatesforthepast5years(3yearsifyouare

marriedtoaU.S.citizen). Payallyourtaxesandchildsupport,ifyouowethem.


Stayoutoftroublewiththelaw.(Minorcrimesmaynotbeaproblem;talktoalawyer.)

Registerforselectiveservicewhenyouare18.(Malesonly.)Ifyouareover18,doitnow!Itwillsaveyouproblemslater.Formoreinformation,seethepageentitled“ImmigrantsandtheU.S.Military.”

SendanapplicationandfeetotheU.S.Citizenship&ImmigrationServices,attendaninterview,passanEnglishandcivicstest,andtakeanoathofallegiancetotheUnitedStates.

WARNING:Whenyouapplyforcitizenship,youareinvitingthegovernmenttoreviewallofyourrecords.Thiscouldleadthemtofindsomethingthatmakesyoudeportable,suchashavingcommittedacrime,liedtothegovernment,etc.Talktoalawyerfirsttomakesureeverythingisokay.


How to Get a Green Card (If You Are Undocumented) Don’twait!Talktoanimmigrationlawyertofigureoutwhatyouroptionsare.Thelawsarecomplicated,andit’simportanttofindalawyerwhohasexperienceinthisarea.Ifyouareinfostercare,injuvenilehallorunderjuvenileprobation,orarebeforeanotherstatejuvenileorfamilycourt:Askyoursocialworker,probationofficer,and/orlawyeraboutgettingSpecialImmigrantJuvenileStatus(SIJS).Thisprotectsyoufromdeportation,allowsyoutowork,andmakesitpossibletogetagreencard.Toseeifyouareeligible,askyoursocialworker,probationofficer,and/oralawyer.Ifyouhavealawyerwhodoesn’tknowimmigrationlaw,askyourlawyertogethelpfromalawyerwhodoes.ToBeEligibleforSIJS:

Youmustbeunder21yearsoldandunmarried.(Youcanhavekidsofyourown.)

Youalsoneedtohaveoropenacaseinstatecourtwherethejudgefindsthat:o Youaren’tabletobereunitedwithoneorbothofyourparentsbecauseof

problemsathome(abuse,neglect,orabandonment).o It’snotinyourbestinteresttogobacktoyourhomecountry.

Note:o Ifyouareadopted,orlivewithotherfamilymembers,itmaystillbe

possibletogetSIJS.o IfyougetSIJS,youcannothelpyourparentsgetimmigrationstatusor

cometotheUnitedStateslater.NotethatyoucanhurtyourchancesofgettingagreencardthroughSIJSifyoucommitcrimesorlieaboutyourimmigrationstatus.IfafamilymemberisaU.S.citizenorhasagreencard:Therelativemightbeabletohelpyougetyourpapers.Iftherelativehasagreencard,therelativemustbeyourhusband,wife,orparent.Ifyouareinavalidsame‐sexmarriagewithaU.S.citizenorlawfulpermanentresident,yourspousemayalsobeabletohelpyougetagreencard.Iftherelative


isaU.S.citizen,heorshecanbeyourhusband,wife,parent,oralsoyourbrotherorsister(aslongasthepersonisover21).Achildcanonlyhelpaparentimmigrateifthechildisover21.Notethataunts,uncles,cousins,andotherfamilymemberscan’thelpyouimmigrateunlesstheyhaveformallyadoptedyou.Ifyoucomefromanabusivehousehold:YoumayhaveoptionsundertheViolenceAgainstWomenAct(VAWA).Thislawhelpsyouifyourparent,husband,orwifeisaU.S.citizenoragreencardholder,butthatpersonwon’thelpyougetyourimmigrationpapers.Ifeligible,youcanobtainpaperswithoutgoingthroughyourabusiveparentorspouse.Evenifyourparentwasabusedandyouwerenot,youmaystillbeabletogetyourimmigrationpapers.Youhavetohavelivedwiththeabusiveparentorspouseatsomepoint,andiftheabusivepersonisyourparent,youhavetobeunder25yearsold.Theabusedoesnothavetobephysical(itcanbeverbaloremotional).Ifyouhavebeenthevictimofacrime:YoumaybeeligibleforaTvisaorUvisa,andthenafterafewyearsforagreencard.TheTvisaisforpeoplewhohavebeentrafficked—whichusuallymeansbeingforcedtowork,suchaslabororsexwork.Ifyouareunderage18,youcanqualifyforaTvisabasedonsextraffickingevenifyouweren’tforcedtodothesexwork.TheUvisaisforpeoplethathavebeenavictimofaseriouscrimeintheU.S.,suchasdomesticviolence,abuse,physicalattack,rape,kidnapping,etc.Youhavetohelpthepoliceinvestigatethecrime.Throughanemployer:Anemployercanalsopetitionforanemployeetoreceiveaworker’svisaandagreencard.Talktoanattorneybeforeapproachingyouremployer.


DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) WhatIsDACAandWhatAretheBenefits?DACAisaprogramthatprotectseligibleundocumentedyouthfrombeingdeported.DACAprotectstheyouthfortwoyears,butitcanberenewed.IfyouareeligibleforDACA,youcanapplytolegallyworkintheUnitedStatesandapplyforavalidsocialsecuritynumber.AyouthwhohasobtainedDACAcanalsotraveloutsideoftheUnitedStates,butonlywithaspecialpermit(called“AdvanceParole”)andonlyforcertainreasons.LeavingtheUnitedStateswithoutfirstreceivingAdvanceParolewillautomaticallyterminateDACA.BesuretocheckwithanattorneybeforeleavingtheUnitedStates.WhoIsEligibleforDACA?AnundocumentedyouththatiscurrentlylivingintheUnitedStatesmaybeeligibleforDACA.TheyouthcanrequestDACAevenifimmigrationiscurrentlytryingtodeporthimorheror,insomecases,evenifheorshewasalreadyordereddeportedorremoved.Iftheyouthisdetainedbyimmigrationauthorities,heorshecanasktobereleasedbasedonDACAeligibility,andthenapplyforDACA.

OnNovember20,2014,PresidentObamaannouncedchangestosomeoftheDACArequirementsthatwillallowmoreundocumentedyouthtoqualifyfortheprogram.


AyouthcanrequestDACAnowifheorshe:

Isatleast15yearsoldatthetimeoffilinghisorherrequest(unlessheorshehasacaseinimmigrationcourt,afinalorderofdeportation,oravoluntarydepartureorder);

Wasundertheageof31asofJune15,2012(bornafterJune15,1981); CametotheUnitedStatesbeforehisorher16thbirthday; HascontinuouslyresidedintheUnitedStatessinceJune15,2007,uptothe

presenttime; WasphysicallypresentintheUnitedStatesonJune15,2012,andatthetime

ofmakinghisorherrequestforDACA; WasundocumentedonJune15,2012; Iscurrentlyinschool,hasgraduatedorobtainedacertificateofcompletion

fromhighschool,hasobtainedageneraleducationdevelopment(GED)certificate,orisanhonorablydischargedveteranoftheCoastGuardorArmedForcesoftheUnitedStates;and

Hasnotbeenconvicted(asanadult)ofafelony,significantmisdemeanor,threeormoreothermisdemeanors,anddoesnototherwiseposeathreattonationalsecurityorpublicsafety.

ThereweretwomainchangesannouncedtoDACAonNovember20,2014.Thefirsteliminatesthe“agecap”thatrequiredundocumentedyouthtohavebeenbornafterJune15,1981.Thismeansthatundocumentedyouthcannotbe“tooold”torequestDACA,aslongastheymeetalltheotherrequirements.ThesecondchangeallowspeopletoapplyforDACAwhohavebeenheresinceJanuary1,2010(insteadofJune15,2007).Thesechangesarecurrentlyblockedbecauseofanongoingcourtcase.


DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents) WhatIsDAPAandWhatAretheBenefits?DAPA,alsocalled“DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanentResidents”isanewprogramannouncedbyPresidentObamaonNovember20,2014.DAPAprotectscertainundocumentedpeoplefromdeportationforthreeyearswhoareparentsofU.S.citizensorlawfulpermanentresidents.IfyouareeligibleforDAPA,youcanapplytolegallyworkintheUnitedStatesandapplyforavalidsocialsecuritynumber.WhoIsEligibleforDAPA?UndocumentedimmigrantswhoareparentsofU.S.citizensorlawfulpermanentresidents(greencardholders)andhavebeenlivingintheUnitedStatessinceJanuary1,2010,maybeeligibleforDAPA.AnundocumentedimmigrantcanrequestprotectionfromdeportationbasedonhisorhereligibilityforDAPAevenifimmigrationiscurrentlytryingtodeporthimorheror,insomecases,evenifheorshewasalreadyordereddeportedorremoved.Ifthepersonisdetainedbyimmigrationauthorities,heorshecanasktobereleasedbasedonDAPAeligibility,andthenapplyforDAPA.


ApersoncanrequestDAPAifheorshe:

1. IstheparentofaU.S.citizenorlawfulpermanentresident(greencardholder),asofNovember20,2014;

a. Thesonordaughtercanbeanyage,marriedorunmarried,butmusthavebeenbornonorbeforeNovember20,2014.

2. HaslivedcontinuouslyintheUnitedStatessinceJanuary1,2010;3. WasundocumentedonNovember20,2014;4. WasphysicallypresentintheUnitedStatesonNovember20,2014,andon

thedateheorsherequestsDAPA;and5. Isnotconsideredapriorityforimmigrationenforcement,whichmeans:not

convicted(asanadult)ofanaggravatedfelony,afelony,asignificantmisdemeanor,orthreeormoreothermisdemeanors;doesnothavecertainconvictionsorassociationstogangs;doesnototherwiseposeathreattonationalsecurityorpublicsafety;isnotasignificantvisaabuser;isnotarecentunlawfulbordercrosser;anddoesnothaveadeportationorderissuedonorafterJanuary1,2014.

YoucannotapplyforDAPAyet.Theprogramiscurrentlyblockedbyanongoingcourtcase.Tostayinformedaboutthisprogramandtheapplicationprocess,visit:www.uscis.gov/immigrationaction.Youcanalsosignuptoreceiveupdatesbyemailat:https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCIS/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDHSCIS_74.

Warning!OnceyouhavebeengrantedDACAorDAPA,immigrationauthoritiescantakeitawayifyoucommitorarefoundguiltyofcertaincrimes.Forexample,anadultconvictionforaDUI(drivingundertheinfluence)orafelonywillnotallowyoutoreceiveDACAorDAPA,andmayalsocauseyoutoloseDACAorDAPA.Insomecases,youmaybetakenintocustodybyimmigrationauthoritiesifyouareconvictedafteryoureceiveDACAorDAPA.


Involvement with Gangs

Warning!Makesuretotalktoanattorneybeforeyouapplyforanyimmigrationbenefitifyouthinksomeonesuchasaschoolofficialorpolicemighthaveputyouonaganglistordatabaseforbeinginvolvedwithagangorforassociatingwithgangmembers.Someyouthareputonaganglistbymistakeorevenforhangingoutwithpossiblegangmembers.Youcanbetargetedbyimmigrationofficialsforsimplyassociatingwithfriendsorfamilymembersthatareinagang.Makesuretotalktoanattorneyifyouhaveeverbeeninvolvedinorhadtiestoagang,becausefilingforimmigrationpapersmayberisky.

Whenyoutalktoanattorneymakesuretomentionifyou:

Wereeveraccusedofbeinginagangorquestionedaboutbeingpartofagangbypolice,schoolstaff,immigration,oranyoneelse

Wereputonaganglist(e.g.byschool,thecounty,policedepartment,etc.)orarenamedinaganginjunction

Liveinaneighborhoodthathasalotofgangactivityorhaveclosefriends/familymembersthatarepartofagang

Toldimmigrationofficialsorpolicethatyouarepartofagang Wereorareinvolvedinanywaywithagang Wereeverarrested,jailed,orappearedinfrontofajudgeincourt Hadorhaveanygang‐relatedtattoos Everpostedanythingonsocialmedia(e.g.Facebook,Twitter,Instagram,etc.)

relatedtogangsInadditiontohurtingyourimmigrationcase,gangscanbeverydangerous,violent,andcarrygreatconsequencesforyouththatareinvolved.Gangmembersriskinjuryfromrivalgangs,injurytofamilymembers,andevendeath.Beinginvolvedinagangcanalsoleadtocriminalconsequences.Therearelawsthatprovideforstrictpenaltiesforgang‐relatedoffenses.Someincludelargerfinesandevenlongersentences—15yearsormoreforgang‐relatedguncrimes,drugsales,andviolence.Ifyouorafriendisinvolvedinagang,gettingoutisnotimpossible.Therearethingsyoucandoandorganizationsthatcanhelpyougetoutofagang.CalltheHopeline(800‐442‐HOPE):it’sopen24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek,andthehotlinehaspeoplethatcanspeakwithyouaboutyoursituationandhelpyoufindlocalresourcestohelpyouleaveagang.


Watch Out for Immigration Scams! Noteveryonewhooffersimmigrationservicesishonest,andyoushouldonlygotoalegalservicesproviderthatyoucantrust.Choosingsomeonetohelpyouandyourfamilywithimmigrationpapersisaveryimportantdecision,andlikeallimportantdecisionsyouhavetobecarefultochoosewisely.Don’tbefooledbyfalsepromises.YoucouldloseyourmoneyandpotentiallybedeportedfromtheUnitedStates.Therearemanydifferenttricksthatdishonestimmigrationconsultants,notarios,andsomelawyersusetomakepeoplebelievetheywillgetgreencards.Forexample,theymaytellyou:

Ioffer“norisk”immigration. IcangetU.S.visasforyouandyourfamilyinafewweeks. Icangetyouaworkpermitrightaway. Iknowpeopleatimmigrationandcangetyourpapersdonequickly.

Thesearelies!Don’ttrustyourimmigrationsituationtoanyonewhotellsyouanyofthesethings!AnotarioisnotanattorneyintheUnitedStates,andisnotpermittedtogiveimmigrationadvice!Only2kindsofpeopleareauthorizedbytheU.S.governmenttogiveyouimmigrationadvice.

Attorneyslicensedbyastatebar,and Certainpeoplewhoworkfornonprofitorganizationsandhavebeen

authorizedtorepresentpeoplebeforetheimmigrationauthorities(oftencalled“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.Makesureyouunderstandwhatmustbedone,andwhy,beforeyougoahead.

Getasecondopinionifyou’renotsure!


Deportation and Other Immigration Problems WhentheU.S.governmentkickssomeoneoutoftheUnitedStatesandforcesthemtogobacktotheirhomecountry,thisiscalleddeportationorremoval.WhoCanBeDeported?AnyonewhoisnotaU.S.citizencanbedeported!Thismeansevenpeoplewithgreencardswhohavebeenheresincetheywerebabiescanbedeported.Itdoesnotmatterifyouhavelivedhereyourwholelifeoryoucannotspeakthelanguageofyourhomecountryoryoudonotknowanyoneinyourhomecountry—ifyouarenotaU.S.citizen,youcanbedeported.WhyDoPeopleGetDeported?Therearelotsofdifferentreasonswhypeoplemaybedeported,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,makesureyourpublicdefenderorprivatelawyerknowsthatyouarenotaU.S.citizen!!Yourlawyerisrequiredtotellyoutheeffectyourconvictionwillhaveonyourimmigrationstatus.Thelawyermaybeabletohelpyouavoiddeportation,evenifyouendupgoingtojail.Also,somecrimesmaymakeitdifficultforyoutobecomeaU.S.citizeninthefuture.ItisimportantforyourlawyertoknowthatyouarenotyetaU.S.citizensoyoucanavoidhurtingyourchancesofbecomingonelater.


Know Your Rights WhoAreImmigrationAuthorities?DepartmentofHomelandSecurityhasthreedifferentparts:ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement(ICE),U.S.Citizenship&ImmigrationServices(USCIS)andCustomsandBorderProtection(CBP).IfyouarealreadywithintheU.S.,youaremostlikelytocomeintocontactwithICE.Ifyouarenearorattheborderoranairport,youaremostlikelytocomeintocontactwithCBP.USCISistheagencythatdecidesimmigrationapplications,likeanapplicationforavisa,soyouwillnotcomeintocontactwiththemunlessyouapplyforanimmigrationbenefit.IfImmigrationAuthoritiesArrestYou:RemainSilentandDoNotSignAnything!

Donotansweranyquestions. Donotsayanythingaboutwhereyouwerebornorhowyouenteredthe

UnitedStates.DonotsaythatyouareaU.S.citizenifyouarenot! Donotshowanydocuments,unlessyouhaveproofoflawfulimmigration

status.Aboveall,donotshowanyfalsedocuments! Donotsignanythingwithoutfirsttalkingtoalawyer.Youmayactuallybe

signingadeportationorder,whichcouldresultinbeingdeportedimmediatelywithoutachancetofightyourcase.Evenifofficialssayyouarejustsigninga“voluntarydeparture,”beware,thisisusuallyadeportationorder!

Telltheimmigrationofficialthatyouwantyourhearinginthecityclosesttowhereyoulivewherethereisanimmigrationcourt(sothattheydonottransferyourcasetosomewherefaraway).

IfImmigrationAuthoritiesCometoYourHome:DoNotOpenTheDoor!Youhaverights:

Immigrationofficialscanonlycomeintoyourhomewithoneoftwothings,either1)yourpermission,or2)asearchwarrant.Neveropenthedoororgivethempermissiontoenteryourhome.Asktoseeasearchwarrant.Awarrantisaspecialordersignedbyajudge.Iftheofficialsclaimthattheyhaveone,doNOTopenthedoortoseeit.Askthemtoslipitunderthedoor.Iftheofficialsdonotshowyouone,youdoNOThavetoopenthedoor(nomatterwhattheysay).Ifyouareshownawarrant,makesuretheinformationaboutyournameandaddressiscorrectbeforelettingthemin.

Donotallowtheofficialstoenteryourhome.Ifyouallowthemin,youlosesomeofyourrights.


Donotsignanythingthattheygiveyou. Youhavetherighttoremainsilent.Donotsayanything,especiallyabout

whereyouwerebornoryourimmigrationstatus. Iftheimmigrationauthoritiesarrestyouatyourhome,followtheadvice

aboveaboutarrests.IfImmigrationAuthoritiescometoyourworkplace:DoNotPanic!

Donotrun!Itisbettertoremaincalm.Youcancalmlyleaveanareawhereimmigrationauthoritieshavecome.

Ifyouarearrested,followtheadviceaboveaboutarrests.Preparingyourself/familyforimmigrationproceedings.Beforeyoufindyourselfinoneofthesituationsabove,dothefollowing:

Findthenameofatrustworthyimmigrationattorneywhohelpspeopleinimmigrationcourt.Alwayscarryaroundhisorhercontactinformation.Makesuretheattorneyreviewsanyimmigrationdocumentsyouhaveandasktheattorneyforawrittencontractbeforemakinganypayments.

Ifyoualreadyappliedforanimmigrationbenefitorareindeportationproceedings,youwillhavewhat’scalledan“Anumber”thatwillbeonallofyourimmigration‐relatedpaperwork.Knowyour“Anumber”andleaveitinasafeplaceinyourhomewhereyourfamilycanfindandaccessit.

IfyouhavekidsofyourownintheUnitedStates,prepareadocumentthatauthorizesanadulttotakecareofyourminorchildrenincaseyouarepickedupbyimmigrationauthorities.


Adoption and Your Immigration Status Ifyouareadopted,youmightbeabletochangeyourimmigrationstatusforthebetter.Thelawsarecomplicated,sotalktoalawyer—buthere’ssomebasicinformation.IfYouAreUndocumentedIfyouareadoptedbyU.S.citizenorgreencardholderparents,theycanpetitionforyoutobecomeapermanentresident(inotherwords,getagreencard).IfoneorbothofyouradoptiveparentsisaU.S.citizen,theprocessismuchfaster.Ifyouareadoptedbygreencardholders,itcantakeyears.Youmustmeetalloftheserequirements:

Youareadoptedbeforeyour16thbirthday.(Ifthesamefamilyadoptsyourbrotherorsisterearlier,youcanbeuptoage18atthetimeoftheadoption.)

Youlivewithyouradoptedparent(s)for2years(beforeoraftertheadoption).

Youradoptedparent(s)havelegalcustodyofyoufor2years(beforeoraftertheadoption).

Theprocesswilltakelongerifyouareover21,married,oryoucomefromacountrythathassignedacertaininternationaltreatycalledtheHagueConvention(becausethetreatyrequirescertainadditionalsteps).IfYouAlreadyHaveaGreenCardandAreAdoptedIfoneorbothofyouradoptiveparentsbecomesaU.S.citizen,andyouareunder18whenadopted,youmayautomaticallybecomeaU.S.citizentoo.Ifyouareover18whenyouareadopted,youcanstillapplyforU.S.citizenshipforyourself.Youmustmeetthe“normal”requirements—havingagreencardfor5years,stayingoutoftroublewiththelawfor5years,etc.Seethesectionentitled“U.S.Citizenship”formoreinformation.


CanYouHelpYourBirthParentsGetaGreenCardorU.S.Citizenship?Onceyouareadopted,youcannothelpyourbirthparentsforimmigrationpurposes.However,ifyoulegallyseparatefromyouradoptiveparentsandreunitewithyourbirthparents,youmightbeabletohelpthem.Inthatcase,here’showitworks:

Ifyouradoptiveparentshelpedyougetanimmigrationbenefit(forexample,theyhelpedyougetagreencard),thenyoucannothelpyourbirthparents.

Ifyounevergotanyimmigrationbenefitthroughyouradoptiveparents,thenyoumightbeabletohelpyourbirthparents.Remember,forthistohappen,youmustbelegallyseparatedfromyouradoptiveparents.


Helping Family Members Get Immigration Status or Come to the United States YoucanhelpfamilymemberscometotheU.S.—orgetimmigrationstatus,iftheyarealreadyhere.Todothis,youneedtohaveagreencardorbeaU.S.citizen.IfyouhaveDACAorDAPA,youcannothelpyourfamilycomehere.

U.S.citizensandgreencardholderscanapplyfortheirspouses(includingsame‐sexspouses)andunmarriedchildren.

U.S.citizensover21canalsoapplyfortheirmarriedchildren,parents,andbrothersandsisters.

U.S.citizenscanbringtheirspousesoryoungkids(unmarriedandunderage21)fairlyquickly.Alltheothercategoriesmayrequireyearsofwaiting.Thenumberofyearsdependsontheperson’scountryoforiginandhowthepersonisrelatedtoyou.Alsosomethingslikeasylum,Uvisa,Tvisa,ortheVAWAself‐petitionallowyoutohelpcertainfamilymemberscomehereorgetpapersaswell.IfyouhaveSpecialImmigrantJuvenileStatus(SIJS),youcan’thelpyourbirthparentsgetpapers.FormoreinformationonSIJS,seethesectionentitled“Howtogetagreencard.”Notethatyourfamilymemberswillhavetoshowthattheydon’thaveanycriminalorimmigrationproblemsthatmakethemineligibletogetpapers.HavingaChildWillNotHelpYouGetPapersKidscanonlyhelptheirparentscometotheUnitedStatesorgetagreencardifthechildisover21yearsold.ButifyoucametotheUnitedStatesbeforeJanuary1,2010andhadaU.S.citizenchildonorbeforeNovember20,2014,youmaybeabletogetatemporaryworkpermit.Seethesectionentitled“DeferredActionforParentsofAmericansandLawfulPermanentResidents.”

WARNING:Theprocessofhelpingfamilymembersgetimmigrationstatusiscomplicated,andyoucouldpossiblyhurtthepersonyouaretryingtohelp,especiallyiftheyhaveacriminalhistoryorpastimmigrationviolations.Makesuretotalktoalawyerfirst.


Immigrants and the U.S. Military WhatIsSelectiveService?TheSelectiveServiceSystemisanationaldatabasethatisusedtokeepinformationaboutmenwhocouldberecruitedtothemilitary.TheU.S.governmenthasnotrequiredmentoserveinthemilitarysince1973,butmenstillhavetoregisterwiththeSelectiveService.I’mNotaU.S.Citizen—DoIStillHavetoRegisterfortheSelectiveService?Ifyouareamalebetweentheagesof18and26andyouliveintheUnitedStates,thenyoumustregisterwithSelectiveService—evenifyouareherewithoutpapers.Inotherwords,U.S.citizens,greencardholdersandundocumentedmen(includingDACArecipients)allmustregister.It’sthelaw.WomenandgirlsdoNOThavetoregisterfortheSelectiveService.Also,menlivingtemporarilyintheUnitedStatesonavalidvisa(suchasastudentvisa,workvisa,Uvisa,Tvisa,orothertemporaryvisa)areNOTrequiredtoregister.HowDoIRegisterfortheSelectiveService?YoucanregisterbyfillingoutaformatanyU.S.PostOfficeorontheSelectiveServiceSystemwebsiteatwww.sss.gov.Youdonotneedasocialsecuritynumbertoregister.TheSelectiveServicedoesnotcollectanyinformationtofindoutwhatyourimmigrationstatusis.WhatCouldHappenifIDon’tRegisterfortheSelectiveService?FailingtoregisterfortheSelectiveServicecouldpreventyoufromgettingfederalfinancialaidforcollege,afederaljob,orfederaljobtraining.ItcouldalsoaffectyourchancesofgettingagreencardorbecomingaU.S.citizen.Failingtoregistercanalso(inrarecases)leadtoprisontimeorabigmoneyfine.


CanIJointheMilitaryifIAmNotaU.S.Citizen?ImmigrantswithgreencardscanjointheU.S.militaryiftheyhavelivedintheUnitedStates.However,jobsinthemilitaryaremorelimitedforgreencardholdersthanforU.S.citizensbecauseimmigrantscannotbecomecommissionedofficersorgetjobsthatrequireasecurityclearance.ImmigrantswhohavebeengrantedDACA,temporaryprotectedstatus,orasylummayalsobeabletojointhemilitaryiftheyhavecertainlanguageorjobskillsthatthemilitaryneeds.Undocumentedimmigrantscannotjointhemilitary.


Voting WhoCanVote?Tovote,youmustbe18yearsoldandaU.S.citizen.ThisistrueeverywhereintheUnitedStates.DonottrytovoteifyouarenotaU.S.citizen.Doingsocouldpreventyoufromgettingpaperslateron.Someotherdetailsvaryfromstatetostate.Inmoststates,includingCalifornia,youcan’tvoteifyouareinprisonoronparole.InCalifornia,tovoteinanelection,youneedtoregisteratleast15daysbeforehand.Onceyouregister,youarecoveredforallfutureelections.However,ifyoumovetoanewaddress,youneedtore‐register.

IfYouAreEligible,YouShouldRegistertoVoteVotingisnotrequiredbylaw.However,itisoneofthebasicrightsandresponsibilitiesofU.S.citizenship.Ifyoudon’tmakeyourvoiceheardbyvoting,whoelseisgoingtodoitforyou?ItIsEasytoRegisterVoterregistrationformsareavailableinschools,libraries,postoffices,etc.Togetoneinthemail,call1‐800‐345‐VOTEorgotowww.registertovote.ca.gov.YouCanSupportAnyPoliticalParty,orNoneatAllWhenyouregistertovote,youcancheckaboxsayingyouareaDemocrat,Republican,oramemberofanotherparty.Ifyoudon’tsupportanypartyinparticular,youcanalsocheckaboxsayingyou“declinetostateapoliticalparty.”IfyouregisterasaDemocrat,youcanstillvoteforRepublicans,andviceversa.


IfYouAreNotaU.S.Citizen,BeCarefultoNotRegistertoVoteAccidentallyAsmentionedabove,itiseasytoregistertovote.Forexample,sometimesyougetavoterregistrationformwhenyouaregettingyourdriver’slicense.ThisisniceforU.S.citizens,butsometimesitleadsnoncitizenstoregistertovotewithoutrealizingwhattheyaredoing.IfyouarenotaU.S.citizen,registeringtovoteisaseriousoffenseandcanleadtoyourdeportation.

WARNING:IfyouarenotaU.S.citizen,ornot18yearsold,donotregisteranddonotvote.Sometimespeopledothisaccidentallyandtheycangetprosecutedandevendeported.


Social Security Numbers WhatIsaSocialSecurityNumber(SSN)?YourSSNisanimportantpieceofyouridentity.Toworklegally,youneedanSSN.ManyotherinstitutionsalsouseyourSSNasanIDnumber.MostpeoplebornintheUnitedStatesgetanSSNshortlyaftertheyareborn.Ifyouareolderwhenyouapply,youhavetoshowdocumentsprovingthatyouqualify.

WhoCanGetanSSN?U.S.citizensandimmigrantswhohavebeengrantedpermissiontoworkcanhavealegalSSN.Ifyouarenotauthorizedtowork,youcanapplyonlyifyouneedanSSNtogetagovernmentbenefit(suchasfoodstamps,etc.)Youmustbeeligibleforthebenefit.Adriver’slicensedoesn’tcountasabenefit!YouDon’tNeedanSSNFor

Bankaccounts Educationaltests Schoollunchorlow‐costhousing School

Privatehealthinsurance Filingtaxes InCA,adriver’slicense

Certaintypesoffinancialaidapplications(seesectionentitled“Goingto

College”formoreinformation)AlthoughtheseprogramsmayaskforanSSN,ifyoudon’thaveanSSN,justtellthemandtheycangiveyouanotherIDnumber.IfYouCan’tGetanSSN,YouShouldGetanIndividualTaxpayerIdentificationNumber(ITIN)HavinganITINwillallowyoutopayyourtaxes,openabankaccount,etc.Ifyouareundocumented,applyingforanITINwillnotgetyouintroublewiththeimmigrationauthorities.TogetanITIN,call1‐800‐829‐3676andaskforformW‐7.

Warning:Itisacrimetousesomeoneelse’sSSN—don’tdoit!


Working in the United States WhatDoINeedtoWorkLegallyintheUnitedStates?ToworklegallyintheUnitedStates,youmust:

beoldenoughtowork, havesomekindofidentificationdocument,and haveproofthatyouareeligibletoworkintheUnitedStates.

HowOldDoIHavetoBetoWork?Ifyouare18,youcangetanykindofjob.Ifyouare16or17,youcanonlygetjobsthatarenotconsideredtobehazardous.Ifyouare14or15,youcanonlygetjobsthatarenotconsideredtobehazardousandforverylimitedhoursduringtheschoolyear.Somejobsyoucangetatanyage.Theyinclude:deliveringnewspapers,babysittinginsomeone’shome,performingintelevision,movieortheatricalproductions,andmowinganeighbor’slawn.WhatDocumentsWillINeedtoShowtoWorkLegally?Onceyou’rehiredforajob,youwillusuallyneedtofilloutaformcalledanI‐9.Aspartofthisform,youwillneedtoprovidedocumentationtoshowthatyoucanlegallyworkintheUnitedStatesanddocumentationtoshowyouridentity.DonotsaythatyouareaU.S.citizenifyouarenot!ExamplesofdocumentsthatprovebothyouridentityandabilitytoworkintheUnitedStatesinclude:

AU.S.passport Aforeignpassportwitha

stampthatshowsyou’realawfulpermanentresident

Agreencard Aworkpermitissuedby

U.S.Citizenship&ImmigrationServices(USCIS)


Examplesofdocumentsthatproveyouridentityinclude:

ACaliforniadriver’slicenseorIDcard SchoolIDcardwithphotograph

ExamplesofdocumentsthatproveyourabilitytoworkintheUnitedStates:

U.S.socialsecuritycard(unlessitsays“notvalidforemployment”or“validonlywithworkauthorization”)

OriginalorcertifiedU.S.birthcertificate AworkpermitissuedbyUSCIS


Paying Taxes Taxesarethemoneypeoplemustpaytothegovernmentforthingslikepublicschools,parks,roads,andotherservices.Taxescanbetakenoutofyourpaycheckatthefederal,state,andlocallevels.DoIHavetoPayTaxes?Generally,ifyouareworking,youwillhavetopaytaxes,andeveryyearyouwillhavetofilepaperworkwiththegovernmentcalledanincometaxreturn.Onlypeoplewhomakeacertainamountofmoneymustpayincometaxes.Forexample,in2013,youmayhaveonlyhadtopaytaxesifyouearnedmorethan$10,000thatyear.Youhavetopaytaxeswhetherornotyouhaveimmigrationstatus.Undocumentedimmigrantsarerequiredtopaytaxesthesameasanyoneelse.PayingtaxeswillNOTgetyouintroublewiththeimmigrationauthorities,andinfactcouldmakeitmucheasierforyoutogetimmigrationstatuslaterifyoudon’thaveitalready.Ifyoudonotfileataxreturnorpayyourtaxes,therecouldbesevereconsequences:

Thegovernmentcouldchargeyoumoremoney. Youcouldgotojail. Itcouldnegativelyimpactyourimmigrationstatus,andaffectyourchances

ofgettingagreencardorofbecomingaU.S.citizen.

HowDoIPayTaxesifIDon’tHavePapers?Ifyouareworking,butdonotqualifyforasocialsecuritynumber,youshouldrequestanIndividualTaxpayerIdentificationNumber(ITIN).ITIN

Youdon’tneedimmigrationpaperstogetone. Thegovernmenttaxoffice(alsoknownastheInternalRevenueServiceor

the“IRS”)willnotgiveyourinformationtoimmigration. Youcanuseittopayyourtaxes.


ItdoesnotgiveyoupermissiontoworkintheUnitedStateslegallyorprovideeligibilityforSocialSecuritybenefitsorothertax‐relatedbenefits.

YoucannothavebothasocialsecuritynumberandanITIN.WhatifI’veBeenWorking,butHaven’tPaidTaxes?Ifyouhaveasocialsecuritynumber,butyouhaven’tpaidyourtaxes,youshouldfileataxreturnrightaway.Youwillfindoutifyouowemoney,oryouwillreceivearefundifyoualreadypaidtoomuchmoney.Ifyoudon’thavepapers,youshouldapplyforanITIN.Then,youwillbeabletofileataxreturnforallthepreviousyears.Checkwithanaccountantortaxattorneyifyouneedassistance.


Receiving Public Benefits Thegovernmenthasmanydifferentpublicbenefitsprograms.Somearerunbythestateorlocalgovernmentandsomearerunbythefederalgovernment.Somebenefitsareforpeoplewithdisabilitiesorwhohavebeeninjuredatwork,andsomeareforpeoplewithlowincomes.Thissectionfocusesonbenefitsforlow‐incomepeople.Ifyouthinkyoumaybeeligibleforabenefit,besuretocheck.Immigrantyouthinthefostercaresystemcanasktheirsocialworkers.Othersmaywanttocheckwiththeirlocallegalservicesagency.OthergoodresourcesonimmigranteligibilityforpublicbenefitsarethematerialsontheNationalImmigrationLawCenter(NILC)websiteatwww.nilc.org.TheinformationbelowisspecifictoCalifornia.Ifyouliveinanotherstate,someoftheinformationwillbethesameandsomewillbedifferent.EvenifyouliveinCalifornia,keepinmindthatthisisjustaroughoutlineoftheprogramsandtherules.WhatKindofBenefitProgramsAreThereinCalifornia?Therearenumerouspublicbenefitsprogramsforlow‐incomepeoplewhoqualify.Themorecommononesinclude:SSIforpeoplewhoareseniors,blindorwhohaveadisability;CashAssistanceProgramforImmigrants(CAPI)inCaliforniaforcertainimmigrantseniorsandpersonswithdisabilitieswhocan’tgetSSI;CalFresh/CFAP(formerlyFoodStamps,andalsoknownasSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP))tobuygroceries;WICforpregnantandpostpartummothersandkidsunder5yearsoldtobuynutritiousfoods;CalWORKs/TANFcashaidtofamilieswithkids;andMedi‐Cal/Medicaidforhealthcare.WhoCanGetBenefitsinCalifornia?ThebenefitsthatCaliforniaresidentscanreceivedependontheirimmigrationstatusaswellasothereligibilityrules.Ofcourse,nomatterwhat,youstillneedtomeetotherguidelines—likehavingalowincome.IfyouareaU.S.citizen:Youarepotentiallyeligibleforallofthebenefitsprograms.


Ifyouareavictimoftrafficking(beingforcedtowork,beingateenprostitute,etc.):Youandyourkidsarepotentiallyeligibleforallofthebenefitsprograms.Everyoneelse:Itdependsonseveralthings.SomeprogramsareavailabletoCaliforniaresidents,regardlessoftheirimmigrationstatus;someareavailabletoabroadgroupofimmigrantswhoarelawfullyresidingintheU.S.;andsomeprogramsareavailableonlytocitizensand“qualified”immigrantswhomeetcertainrules.

Youarea“qualifiedimmigrant”if:

Youhaveagreencard Youarearefugeeorasylee Youweregrantedwithholdingofremoval/deportation YouarefromCubaorHaitiandmeetcertainotherrules YouwereparoledintotheU.S.(andyourparolewasexpectedtolastatleast

ayear) You,yourparent,orchildwereabusedbyafamilymember,andhaveapplied

forpermissiontostayintheUnitedStates Youareasurvivoroftrafficking

Evenifyouarea“qualified”immigrant,eligibilityforsomeprogramsdependsonwhenyouenteredtheUnitedStates,whenyouobtainedyourstatus,andwhetheryouhaveasponsor.Lastly,evenifyouarenot“qualified,”youmaybeeligibleforotherbenefitsnotlistedhere.FormoreinformationontheimmigranteligibilityrulesinCalifornia,seethefollowingNILCwebpage:www.nilc.org/benefitsca.html


Getting an ID It’simportanttohavesomesortofidentification.YouneedanIDinmanysituations,includingwhenopeningabankaccountorifstoppedbythepolice.Ifyoudon’thaveanIDonyou,thepolicecanbringyoudowntothepolicestationtocheckyouridentity—evenifyouhaven’tdoneanythingwrong.ThemostcommonformofIDisadriver’slicense.Youcanalsouseagreencard,orotherdocumentsissuedbytheU.S.government.Ifyoudon’thaveanyofthose,considerthesetwooptions:StateIDYoucangetastateIDcardfromtheDepartmentofMotorVehicles(alsoknownasthe“DMV”)—thesamepeoplewhoissuedriver’slicenses.TheDMVgenerallyneedstoseethesamedocumentsthatarerequiredforadriver’slicense.Thereisnoagelimit,andyoudon’thavetotakeanydriving‐relatedteststogetastateID.CalltheDMVofficeclosesttoyoutomakeanappointment.Youcan’tgetastateIDovertheinternetorthroughthemail.MatriculaConsularforUndocumentedPeopleandLegalResidentsMexicoandanumberofothercountriesprovide“matriculasconsular”totheircitizenswhoarelivingintheUnitedStates.ThissectionwilltalkaboutMexicoasanexample.Thedetailsaresimilarforothercountriesthathavethematricula.TogetaMexicanmatricula,youdonotneedtoshowthatyouhaveimmigrationpapers;youonlyneedtoshowthatyouwereborninMexicoandnowlivehere.ToproveyouareMexican,youcanbringdocumentslikeabirthorbaptismalcertificate,oraMexicanpassport(itcanbeexpired).Toproveyoulivehere,youcanbringthingslikeastudentIDorapaycheckfromalocalcompany.Calltheconsulatefromyourhomecountryclosesttowhereyoulivetocheckonthedetailsofwhatyouneed.Youcouldalsospeaktoyourconsulateaboutthepossibilityofapplyingforapassportfromyourcountryoforigin.Noteverybank,policedepartment,orotherinstitutionrecognizesamatriculaasavalidID.However,manydo.Insomestates(includingCalifornia),youcanuseamatriculatogetadriver’slicense.


Getting a Driver’s License Everystatehasdifferentdrivinglaws.ThefollowinginformationisforCalifornia.WhoNeedstoApplyforaLicense?Ifyouhavealicensefromanotherstateorcountry,youcanlegallydriveinCalifornia.ButpeoplelivinginCaliforniaaresupposedtogetaCalifornialicense.

IfYouAreUndocumented,CanYouGetaCaliforniaDriver’sLicense?AsofJanuary2,2015,peopleinCaliforniacangetadriver’slicenseeveniftheyareundocumented.Thelicenseforundocumentedpeopleiscalledan“AB60license”afterthenameofthislaw.HowtoApplyforaLicensePleaseseetheDMVwebsiteatwww.dmv.ca.govforinformationinEnglishandSpanishabouthowundocumentedpeoplecanapplyforadriver’slicense.Ingeneral,youwillhavetodothefollowingtoapply:

1. Provideofficialidentificationdocuments—notcopies—thatshowwhoyouare.Thismightincludeapassport,birthcertificate,and/orconsularID.Seethesectionentitled“GettinganID.”

2. ShowthatyouliveinCalifornia.Documentscouldincludeleases,bankstatements,medicalrecords,schoolrecords,utilitybills,etc.

3. Passavisiontest,awrittentestontrafficsafety,andadrivingtest.Ifyouhaveanyoutstandingtrafficticketsyoushouldpaythembeforeapplyingforalicense.Ifyouhaveusedfalseinformation,suchasafakenameorfakesocialsecuritynumber,inthepasttogetadriver’slicense,youcouldbereferredforcriminalprosecutioniftheDMVthinksthatyouusedthatfalseinformationforcertainbadreasons,likeavoidingpayingchildsupportorstealingsomeone’sidentity.Ifyouusedfalseinformationinthepastsolelytogetadriver’slicense,youshouldbeokay.

WARNING:Youshouldtalktoanattorneybeforeapplyingforadriver’slicenseifyouareundocumentedand:

haveacriminalrecord(asanadult),or haveolddeportationorders.


Going to College IWanttoGotoCollege,butI’mUndocumented—WillIHavetoPayMoreinTuition?Itdependsonthestate.CaliforniapassedlegislationcalledAB540thatletsundocumentedstudentspaythesamein‐statetuitionasotherCaliforniastudentsatallofitspubliccollegesanduniversities.(Inmanyotherstates,undocumentedstudentsmustpayout‐of‐stateorforeignstudenttuitionwhichismuchhigher.)Ifyouareundocumented,youmaybeeligibleforin‐statetuitioninCaliforniaifyou:

AttendedahighschoolinCaliforniaforthreeormoreyears GraduatedfromhighschooloracquiredaGED Fileanaffidavitwithyourcollegeoruniversitystatingthatyouhaveorwill

fileanapplicationtofixyourimmigrationstatusassoonasyouareeligible.MostCaliforniastatecollegesanduniversitieshavestandardaffidavitsthatyoujustneedtosign.Theinformationyouprovideisconfidentialandwillnotbesharedwiththeimmigrationauthorities.

Arenotonacurrentnonimmigrantvisa.Thismeansyoudonotalreadyhavesomethinglikeatouristvisaorastudentvisa.

OtherStatesThatLetUndocumentedStudentsPayin‐StateTuitionUtah,NewYork,Oklahoma,Washington,Kansas,Illinois,NewMexico,Nebraska,Texas,Colorado,Minnesota,Oregon,Massachusetts(onlyforDACArecipients),Connecticut,Maryland,andRhodeIsland.TheUniversityofMichiganandtheUniversityofHawaiialsoallowundocumentedstudentstopayin‐statetuitionattheirspecificuniversities.IfI’mUndocumented,AmIEligibleforCollegeFinancialAid?Undocumentedstudents,includingDACArecipients,arenoteligibleforfederalfinancialaid(FAFSA).However,youmaybeeligibleforstateaid.Californiahasthe“CADreamAct”(AB130&131),whichallowsundocumentedstudentstoreceivefinancialaidfromthestategovernmentandprivatescholarships.TobeeligibleforthistypeofaidinCalifornia,youmustmeetthesamerequirementslistedaboveforin‐statetuition.TheCADreamActisseparatefromthefederalDREAMActanddoesn’tgiveanytypeofimmigrationstatustostudents.


WhoIsEligibletoReceiveFederalFinancialAid?Toreceivefederalfinancialaid,youmustbeoneofthefollowing:

AU.S.citizenorU.S.national Agreencardholder Arefugee,asylee,orparolee AnabusedspouseorchildofaU.S.citizenorgreencardholderwitha

pendingorapprovedimmigrationapplication ApersonwithaTvisa(traffickingsurvivors)

Inaddition,youmust:

Haveavalidsocialsecuritynumber BeregisteredwithSelectiveService,ifrequired(seesectionentitled

“ImmigrantsandtheU.S.Military”formoreinformation) HaveahighschooldiplomaoraGEDcertificate Beenrolledoracceptedforenrollmentasaregularstudentworkingtoward

adegreeorcertificate Beabletoshowfinancialneed NOThavebeenconvictedforcertaindrugcrimesorsubjecttoinvoluntary

civilcommitmentforasexualoffense


Banking and Credit Cards CanIOpenaBankAccountifIDon’tHaveaSocialSecurityNumber?Yes,somebanksandcreditunionswillacceptanIndividualTaxpayerIdentificationNumber(ITIN)insteadofasocialsecuritynumber.Ifyoudon’thaveasocialsecuritynumberoranITIN,thebankmayallowyouinsteadtojustfilloutaform.Forallbanks,toopenabankaccountyouwillalsoneedtwoformsofidentification.Checkwiththebankfirst,though,tomakesurethattheywillacceptyourITINoranotherformifyoudon’thaveasocialsecuritynumber.TheFormsofIDThattheBankWillAcceptAre:Atleastonehastobeoneofthefollowing:

Driver’sLicense Passport StateID MilitaryID MatriculaConsular GreenCard

Thesecondonecanbeoneofthese:

WorkID SchoolID Creditcard Debitcardfromanotherbank

Warning:Donotuseafalsesocialsecuritynumber!Ifyoudo,thebankwillfindout,anditwillcloseyouraccount,returnyourmoney,andnotletyouopenanotheraccount.

CanIApplyforaCreditCardwithoutaSocialSecurityNumber?Itdependsonthecreditcardcompany.SomewillacceptanITIN,andmostoffera“prepaid”creditcardinwhichyoudepositthemoneyfirstanduseitasyourcreditlimit.Thesecardsaremainlyforestablishingcreditforpeoplewhodon’thaveanycredithistoryorhavebadcredit.Becarefulwithcreditcards!Itisveryeasytoaccumulatedebt,andcanbeveryhardtogetoutofit.Creditcardsusuallyhaveveryhighinterestratesandhighfeesforlatepaymentsandforgoingoveryourlimit.Thismeansyoumayendupowingmuchmoremoneytothecreditcardcompanythanyoueverchargedonthecreditcard!Itisveryimportanttounderstandhowcreditcardswork,andtopaythemoff


everymonth.Bewareofunfamiliarcreditcardcompaniesandthosethatoffer“greatdeals”—thesedealsareusuallytemporaryandinvolveacatch.