Immigrant Legal Defense Funds in Texas
An immigrant legal defense fund pays legal service providers to represent community members facing deportation in immigration court. This resource provides a general overview of immigrant legal defense funds (ILDFs) at the municipal level in Texas, including why they are needed, the goals and components of a strong ILDF, and examples of these funds from across the state.
How US Citizens Can Petition Their Parents for Permanent Residence
Undocumented individuals who have U.S. citizen children often ask when and if their child can help them obtain their Lawful Permanent Resident status. A citizen child who is over 21 years old can begin the process for a parent to get their Permanent Residence card, often referred to as a green card. However, the process can be complicated and any parent seeking a green card through their child needs to carefully consider certain things before they move forward. This guide provides a brief explanation of this process, what is needed for a son or daughter to help their parent(s) obtain status
FAQ: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) [March 2023]
This downloadable community explainer provides an overview of the current state of DACA, where the program stands given the uncertainty of pending federal litigation, and what beneficiaries should be considering as we wait for a court decision on the program’s future.
California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC): Frequently Asked Questions
California immigrants who file taxes may now receive cash from the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). As the negative effects of COVID-19 continue impacting immigrant families, many are in need of support. Filing taxes may mean cash benefits for qualifying families. This guide provides a brief summary of what CalEITC is and who can benefit from it.
Preparing for Re-Entry After Traveling on Advance Parole
This resource provides an overview of the process of traveling on advance parole and returning to the United States through a port of entry. For those granted permission to travel on advance parole, the return process can be intimidating and confusing. We’ve outlined ways to prepare for travel under Advance Parole and tips to make the process as smooth as possible.
How to Submit a Comment on Federal Regulations
This guide provides a walkthrough of how individuals can submit a public comment whenever the federal government publishes a proposed rule that creates or changes existing policy. Many published rules, such as proposed changes to public charge or increases in USCIS filing fees, have an impact on immigration processes so it is vital for the public to share their feedback if they find they would be impacted if the proposed rules become law.
Understanding ICE's Victim-Centered Approach
In August 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a new “victim-centered approach” for immigration enforcement. This FAQ outlines what this means, what the directive is expected to do, and who qualifies for this new enforcement approach.
In the Weeds: A Deep Dive on Cannabis & Immigration
Cannabis legalization has long been a growing theme across the United States, having a place in virtually every recent election cycle and in policy debates related to the federal government’s role in restricting its access, sale, use, and distribution. With many states moving to legalize cannabis for recreational use and with the Biden administration recently deciding to pardon individuals for certain federal convictions related to its possession, it may seem as though we are coming to the end of the cannabis prohibition era. Unfortunately, not only is that moment yet to arrive, but the
Changes to Green Card Renewals for Naturalization Applicants
On December 9, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they will automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards—also known as green cards—for those who apply for naturalization on or after December 12, 2022. This FAQ covers what the changes mean, how the implementation works, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions: CA IDs For All
In September 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1766 – CA IDs For All – which expands standard CA ID eligibility to all Californians, regardless of immigration status. In this downloadable guide, we walk through this new law’s implications, the opportunities for immigrants living in California, how this differs from AB 60 and the REAL ID, and more.
An Overview of Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is available to individuals from certain countries designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) who cannot return to their home countries due to natural disaster, armed conflict, or other conditions that make it unsafe. This overview guide shares key insights about TPS eligibility, benefits, and more.
Who is Eligible for VAWA?
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has created opportunities for individuals to get protection from deportation, among other benefits, if they have suffered abuse from a spouse or certain family members. This brief overview walks through the immigration eligibility and benefits involved with VAWA.
How to Advocate for Persons Arrested by ICE
This one-page guide provides an overview of Prosecutorial Discretion and how it can be applied when someone has come in contact with ICE.
What is the DACA Rule and How Does it Impact Me?
On August 30, 2022, the Biden Administration issued a new rule on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that will incorporate DACA into the Federal Regulations. Since its announcement, several questions have been raised around who can access DACA now and what it means for all those first-time applicants who are waiting to obtain DACA. This community resource outlines key points for you to keep in mind as you navigate access to DACA now and when the rule goes into effect on October 31, 2022.
Advance Parole for DACA Recipients
Currently, individuals who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) can request and travel with Advance Parole. DACA recipients can request Advance Parole for humanitarian, employment, and education reasons. To qualify, DACA recipients will need to demonstrate that their need to travel falls within one of these categories. This community resource provides an overview of travel with Advance Parole and gives some examples of what may qualify.
Deferred Action and Work Permits for Young People with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
On March 7, 2022, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new policy that applies to young people who have been granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) but are not yet able to become a green card holder because they are waiting for a visa to be available (“the visa backlog”). The new policy, which goes into effect May 6, 2022, provides for young people stuck in the visa backlog to be granted deferred action, which will allow them to apply for work authorization. This guide addresses some questions the community may have about this recent change.
TPS and Asylum: Can I Apply for Both?
Two immigration statuses that may overlap are Asylum and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) because they both help people who are afraid of returning to their home country. While these two are different in a few ways, it is useful to know what each option offers and that applying for both is allowed, so long as an applicant is eligible. This brief guide delves into the ways these two options might intersect and what to keep in mind as individuals consider each type of status.
About the REAL ID (Social Media Explainer)
This downloadable social media explainer provides insights about the REAL ID, what compliance means, and the eligibility requirements. Feel free to upload to your social media feeds to share with your community.Download here.
What is the U Visa?
A U visa is a type of immigration status for victims of certain crimes who have been helpful in the investigation or prosecution of that criminal activity. This one-page guide provides an overview on the U visa, what it provides, and who qualifies.
Immigrant Families and the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
California immigrants who file taxes may now receive cash from the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). During COVID-19, immigrant families need support, and filing taxes may mean cash benefits for qualifying families. This community resource is designed to help answer the most common questions immigrant communities may have on the CalEITC. For more information on the CalEITC, visit CalEITC4Me.org.
Texas Cite & Release Advocacy Toolkit
Black people and other communities of color, including immigrants, have faced decades of overpolicing, criminalization, and incarceration in Texas, often for alleged conduct that does not mandate an arrest or even carry jail time in the state. One way to effectively reduce arrests is to pass a local cite and release policy. This advocacy toolkit gives local organizers and advocates in Texas the tools they need to lead a successful cite and release campaign. We have included many helpful resources, samples, and insights for every step in a cite & release campaign – from initial education
Community Breakdown of AB 32 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Decision
AB 32 (People Not Profit) signed in 2019 and effective January 2020, outlaws criminal and civil private incarceration in California, with some exceptions. Some brief months after AB 32 was signed, private prison company GEO Group Inc. and the Trump administration sued California aiming to strike down this momentous law. Federal District Court Judge Sammartino largely upheld AB 32, afterwhich GEO and the Biden administration appealed to the Ninth Circuit.
Public Charge: Social Media Effort
In 2020 and 2021, the ILRC generated three distinct social media pushes on public charge and four “breaking news” graphics to educate the immigrant community on policy developments and related issues. In this resource, we share information on those pushes and links to the graphics on Instagram as inspiration for social media posts other organizations or advocates may wish to share or create, depending on their audience.