Our services

asylum

Asylum application.

If you are in the United States, you may apply for asylum regardless of your country of nationality or current immigration status if you were persecuted or have a fear that you will be persecuted because of your race, nationality, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

PERMANENT RESIDENCE

Application to register permanent residence

Having a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation.

Resident Card

CONDITIONAL RESIDENCE

Removal of conditions on residence

A conditional permanent resident receives a Green Card valid for two years. A conditional permanent resident card cannot be renewed. Instead, you must file to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status by filing a petition within the 90-day period prior to the expiration date on your Green Card. If you do not file or the conditions on your residence are not removed, you may be placed in removal proceedings.

employment authorization

Application for employment authorization.

Certain aliens are eligible to legally work in the United States. To obtain employment authorization, you may be required to file an application for Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Whether you are eligible to work in the United States will depend on your status and/or your individual circumstances. Other aliens whose immigration status authorizes them to work in the United States without restrictions may also request an EAD that shows such authorization.

VICTIMS OF CRIMINAL ACTS: U NONIMMIGRANT STATUS

U- Visa.

U visas enable victims of certain crimes who assist authorities in the investigation and/or prosecution of their crimes to temporarily remain and work in the U.S., generally for 4 years. U nonimmigrant status may also be available to the spouse, parent, children, and, in some cases, the siblings of a victim. U nonimmigrants are eligible for employment authorization and may also be able to become permanent residents. To apply for U nonimmigrant status, you will require a certification by a supervisory or designated official from a law enforcement agency, or a federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial judge.

T Nonimmigrant Status

Victims of human trafficking: T nonimmigrant status

T nonimmigrant status is a temporary immigration benefit that enables certain victims of a severe form of human trafficking to remain in the United States for up to 4 years if they have assisted law enforcement in an investigation or prosecution of human trafficking. T nonimmigrant status is also available for certain qualifying family members of trafficking victims. T nonimmigrants are eligible for employment authorization and certain federal and state benefits and services. T nonimmigrants who qualify may also be able to adjust their status and become lawful permanent residents (obtain a Green Card).

Temporary Protected Status

Application for temporary protected status

If you are an eligible national of a designated country, you may be able to register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). When filing an initial TPS application or re-registering for TPS, you can also request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by submitting a completed Form I-765, Request for Employment Authorization.

NATURALIZATION OR CITIZENSHIP

Application for naturalization.

Naturalization is the process to become a U.S. citizen if you were born outside of the United States. If you meet certain requirements, you may become a U.S. citizen.

Eligibility

To apply for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen, you must:

  • To apply for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen, you must:
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time you file the application;
  • Have been a lawful permanent resident for the past three or five years (depending on which naturalization category you are applying under);
  • Have continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;
  • Be able to read, write, and speak basic English;
  • Demonstrate good moral character;
  • Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;
  • Demonstrate a loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and
  • Be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance.

Naturalization certificate

Application for replacement of naturalization certificate.

If your citizenship document was lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair, you may apply for a replacement or apply for a special certificate of naturalization as a U.S. citizen to be recognized by a foreign country.

You may apply for a replacement citizenship document if you:

  • Received a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention, or Repatriation Certificate which was lost, stolen, or destroyed;
  • Received a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration or Repatriation Certificate containing a typographical error made by USCIS;
  • Changed your name due to marriage or a court order after we issued the document and you want a document in your new name;
  • Obtained a court order or a state-issued document that changes your date of birth after we issued your Certificate of Citizenship and you want a certificate with your new date of birth;
  • Received a Certificate of Citizenship or a Certificate of Naturalization and your change of gender is legally recognized through a court order, a government-issued document, or a medical certification; or
  • Are a naturalized citizen seeking a special certificate of naturalization for the purpose of a foreign country recognizing you as a citizen of the United States.

N-600

Application for certificate of citizenship

Citizenship through parents

If you were born abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent, you may acquire or have acquired citizenship through your parent or parents. Generally, you may obtain citizenship through your U.S. citizen parents when you are born, or after your birth but before you turn 18. The individual circumstances that wil determine whether you can obtain or have obtained citizenship include:

You are a U.S. citizen if you have a:

  • Your date of birth;
  • The citizenship and marital status of your parents;
  • Your parents’ physical presence and residence in the United States before your child’s birth
  • Whether you were born in or out of wedlock;
  • Whether you were legitimated by the parent under the applicable laws; and
  • Whether you were legally adopted.

FOIA + OBIM + FBI

FOIA + OBIM + FBI background checks

Subject to specific limitations protecting the disclosure of certain records and information, you may request your own records or information from federal agencies for your own review. This is generally accomplished by submitting a written request with evidence of your identity, including in certain circumstances, a fingerprint card.

Exemptions:

The nine exemption categories that authorize government agencies to withhold information are:

  1. classified information for national defense or foreign policy
  2. internal personnel rules and practices
  3. information that is exempt under other laws
  4. trade secrets and confidential business information
  5. inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters that are protected by legal privileges
  6. personnel and medical files
  7. law enforcement records or information
  8. information concerning bank supervision
  9. geological and geophysical information

DACA

DACA + Employment authorization

You may be able to renew your Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals if you:


• Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;

• Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;

• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;

• Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;

• Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;

• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and

• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor,or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.