Documents Immigrants Should Keep Handy
Immigration offices across the nation have been flooded with questions after the Trump administration released an aggressive plan to stop illegal immigration. Here are some tips.
Two memorandums signed by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly laid out a series of policies intended to increase immigration enforcement, speed deportations, and discourage new asylum seekers. Among the provisions is the creation of a new office within Department of Homeland Security to work with the victims of crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants.
The practical impact of the orders is not yet clear and some of the new policies will likely face legal challenges. The new memos substantially expand the list of offenses that are likely to lead to deportation. The administration will prioritize deportation of undocumented immigrants accused—not necessarily convicted—of all “chargeable criminal offenses,” potentially including immigration-related violations. And the memorandums make clear that all of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States are subject to deportation at any time.
To enact the tough new policies, the DHS will hire 5,000
new border patrol and 10,000 new immigration and customs
enforcement (ICE) agents. The agency will also look
to expand the number of local law enforcement agencies
working with the federal government to enforce immigration
law. Most immigrant agencies are advising immigrants
not to answer questions from ICE without an attorney, not
to sign anything or give up any documents, and to keep the
following documents with you in case you are questioned:
• Naturalized U.S. citizens - US passport, or passport
card, or a photocopy of your naturalization certificate.
• Permanent residents - Federal law requires that anyone
who is not a US Citizen is required to carry evidence of
their lawful status: carry your green card.
• Lawfully present nonimmigrants (H1B, L1, F1, U visas,
etc.) - Carry your Employment Authorization Document,
I-94 card, passport with entry stamp, or other proof of
status. For work visas, also carry current paystubs.
• DACA applicants - Carry your Employment Authorization
Document and DACA approval notice. If you have filed
and are waiting, carry your receipt notice.
• Undocumented immigrants in the US - Carry evidence
of any pending case in the US and your proof of
residence in the US from when you first entered to
present (e.g., if you entered in 2012, carry your tax
returns from 2012 to present).
Make sure that if you do carry originals, you also have copies at home or in a safe place.
APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR April 2017
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
15Oct10 |
15Oct10 |
|
2A |
08Jun15 |
08Jun15 |
|
2B |
15Sep10 |
15Sep10 |
|
3rd |
15May05 |
15May05 |
|
4th |
15Aug03 |
08May04 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
Current |
Current |
|
2nd |
22Jun08 |
Current |
|
3rd |
24Mar05 |
15Feb17 |
|
Other |
24Mar05 |
15Feb17 |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - April 2017
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
01Jan11 |
01Jan11 |
|
2A |
22Nov15 |
22Nov15 |
|
2B |
08Feb11 |
08Feb11 |
|
3rd |
22Aug05 |
22Aug05 |
|
4th |
01May04 |
01Jul04 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
Current |
Current |
|
2nd |
22Apr09 |
Current |
|
3rd |
01Jul05 |
Current |
|
Other |
01Jul05 |
Current |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
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