FAQs & Explainers

Owing to a growing number of polices will limit ICE holds, and updates in case law, fewer people will be subject to mandatory detention, particularly in California. This handout provides an overview of mandatory detention law including how these updates may benefit your client.

New Advocacy Guide for ICE's massive Criminal Alien Program (CAP), from the National Immigrant Project, Washington Defenders Association, and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

This packet is designed to help advocates prepare naturalization fee waiver applications. The packet includes information from USCIS and ILRC on how to complete and review a fee waiver application to accompany naturalization applications, the adjudication standards for fee waiver applications, and a sample completed fee waiver form. February 24, 2020 Update: USCIS Continues to Accept Previous...

What are U Visas? U Nonimmigrant Visas were created by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000. Victims of qualifying criminal activities who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse may apply for a U Visa if they are willing to assist law enforcement or other government officials in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes.

These three charts, updated on July 19, 2022, outline the different requirements for acquiring and deriving citizenship. Because the law governing acquisition and derivation has changed many times and is generally not retroactive, these charts detail what the eligibility requirements are depending on the time period in question. Each chart has extensive footnotes that provide explanations about...

Written by Doug DiSalvo East Bay Citizenship Network May 1999 This guide explains which documents are frequently required of naturalization applicants, in what circumstances they are required, and how to get them. It contains simple explanations of each type of document, and sample forms and letters applicants can use to get them. Obtaining documents that will probably be required, and taking...

A description of critical resources available for California criminal defenders defending noncitizens:

Updated October 2012! A guide to assist public defenders and other to determine the immigration consequences of selected Arizona offenses.

This guide is a compilation of resources for immigrant youth living in the United States. It includes general descriptions of immigration relief as well as general advice on applying for benefits, driver’s licenses, financial aid for colleges, bank accounts and credit cards, filing taxes, registering for the national service and military service, and more.

ILRC’s Anti-Fraud comic books are being made available to non-profit agencies and organizations throughout the United States. These agencies are gathering places for families and communities and are therefore well-placed to make these comic books available to the people who will most benefit from them. What are ILRC’s Anti-Fraud Comics? IIRC has produced 2 versions of a comic book designed to...