Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration

Also see our Refugee FAQ

Please note that all information provided on this site is basic and general. This information is not legal advice and should not be used in the place of competent legal advice from an attorney or BIA-accredited representative employed by a BIA-recognized agency. Immigration laws and regulations change frequently, so we cannot guarantee or promise that this information is always up to date and correct.

CWS national staff cannot answer questions regarding individual cases. To obtain case specific immigration advice, please contact an immigration attorney or a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accredited representative. Many CWS affiliates provide immigration legal services. For a list of BIA-recognized agencies and accredited representatives, please consult the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) website at www.usdoj.gov/eoir/statspub/raroster.htm. To locate a free or low-cost legal service provider who represents immigrants in removal proceedings, please consult the EOIR website at www.usdoj.gov/eoir/probono/states.htm. The American Immigration Lawyers Association also provides an attorney referral service. In addition, www.lawhelp.org/ has links to non-profit immigration legal service providers in many states.

General Questions

• What happened to the INS? Who handles immigration services now?
• Where can someone find immigration forms?
• If an application was filed with the USCIS or INS, how does someone find out what is happening with it?
• If an immigrant is undocumented or has no legal status in the U.S. and ICE discovers that person’s whereabouts, can she be deported immediately?
• What is the difference between an immigrant and nonimmigrant visa?

Asylum

• What is the difference between an asylee and a refugee?
• How can I apply for asylum status?
• What happens if someone applies for asylum and the USCIS does not approve the asylum application?
• If an asylum application is sent to immigration court, what happens then?
• What public benefits are available to asylees and refugees?
• Can a refugee or asylee bring family members to the U.S.?

Family-Based Petitions

• For which relatives can a U.S. citizen petition to come to the U.S.?
• For which relatives can a lawful permanent resident petition to come to the U.S.?
• What are the two different kinds of family petitions?
• For immigration purposes under immigration law, what is the difference between an immediate relative petition and a preference category petition?
• What is an affidavit of support?
• Are affidavits of support required for all adjustment of status applications?
• What is a VAWA self-petition?

Affidavit of support

• What is an affidavit of support?
• Are affidavits of support required for all adjustment of status applications?

VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)

• What is a VAWA self-petition?
• How does someone file a VAWA self-petition?

Naturalization or Citizenship

• How does someone become a citizen of the United States?
• What requirements must be met to apply for naturalization?

Lawful Permanent Residence (“Green Card”)

• What is a green card?
• How can someone obtain a green card?
• What is “adjustment of status”?
• What is consular processing?
• What is the difference between “change of status” and “adjustment of status”?
• If someone loses a green card, how can it be replaced?
• What is the Diversity Visa Lottery?
• Which countries are included in the lottery?
• Who can apply for the Diversity Visa Lottery?
• How and when can someone enter the Diversity Visa Lottery?

Registry

• What is registry?

Religious Workers

• How can a religious worker come to the U.S.?

Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”)

• What is TPS?
• How does one get TPS?

Travel

• What documents does a refugee or asylee need to travel outside the U.S.?
• How can a person in the U.S. help someone to obtain a visitor’s visa?

Back to top