F O R I M M I G R A N T S
Undocumented immigrants should begin preparing in case the U.S. Congress passes a
legalization of undocumented individuals. Below is a list of steps immigrants should take
to gather the documentation likely to be needed in order to gain legal status.
There are some things people without legal immigration status should not do. Immigrants
should not claim to be a citizen on any official government forms or to officials if they are
asked (read more in English or Spanish or Creole). They should beware of notarios and
legal service providers who may be scamming them with unauthorized legal
representation (read more in English or Spanish).
How Should An Undocumented Foreign National Prepare NOW for Legalization?
Although no one knows if or when Congress will pass a legalization bill, the Catholic
Church believes that in order to gain lawful status under any legislation that passes, an
undocumented immigrant will have to prove at least three things:
(1) Identity
(2) Good moral character
(3) Physical presence or residency in the United States
Therefore, the Catholic Church in the United States recommends that undocumented
immigrants start gathering valid documentation NOW to prove their identity, that they have
been living and working in the United States, and that they have not been involved in
certain criminal conduct while living in the
United States.
Gather all documentation and keep it in one secure location. It is a good idea to make
clear copies of all
documents.
Beware of Notarios and Immigration Consultants who offer help filing applications
with the government. Many of these consultants have taken advantage of undocumented
immigrants by filing applications on behalf of undocumented foreign nationals without
verifying whether the individual is actually eligible for the immigration benefit. Congress
has not yet passed any law that authorizes the legalization of undocumented people!! If
a person or business offers to file an application for legalization on behalf of an
undocumented foreign national, they may be putting that foreign national in danger of
deportation. read more
DISCLAIMER: This handout is not legal advice. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. If you need legal advice, consult a licensed immigration attorney or an
accredited representative from a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recognized
agency. An undocumented person should not seek legal advice from a notario or an
“immigration consultant” who is not accredited by the BIA.
Undocumented immigrants should begin preparing in case the U.S. Congress passes a
legalization of undocumented individuals. Below is a list of steps immigrants should take
to gather the documentation likely to be needed in order to gain legal status.
There are some things people without legal immigration status should not do. Immigrants
should not claim to be a citizen on any official government forms or to officials if they are
asked (read more in English or Spanish or Creole). They should beware of notarios and
legal service providers who may be scamming them with unauthorized legal
representation (read more in English or Spanish).
How Should An Undocumented Foreign National Prepare NOW for Legalization?
Although no one knows if or when Congress will pass a legalization bill, the Catholic
Church believes that in order to gain lawful status under any legislation that passes, an
undocumented immigrant will have to prove at least three things:
(1) Identity
(2) Good moral character
(3) Physical presence or residency in the United States
Therefore, the Catholic Church in the United States recommends that undocumented
immigrants start gathering valid documentation NOW to prove their identity, that they have
been living and working in the United States, and that they have not been involved in
certain criminal conduct while living in the
United States.
Gather all documentation and keep it in one secure location. It is a good idea to make
clear copies of all
documents.
Beware of Notarios and Immigration Consultants who offer help filing applications
with the government. Many of these consultants have taken advantage of undocumented
immigrants by filing applications on behalf of undocumented foreign nationals without
verifying whether the individual is actually eligible for the immigration benefit. Congress
has not yet passed any law that authorizes the legalization of undocumented people!! If
a person or business offers to file an application for legalization on behalf of an
undocumented foreign national, they may be putting that foreign national in danger of
deportation. read more
DISCLAIMER: This handout is not legal advice. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. If you need legal advice, consult a licensed immigration attorney or an
accredited representative from a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recognized
agency. An undocumented person should not seek legal advice from a notario or an
“immigration consultant” who is not accredited by the BIA.
415 Michigan Ave., NE
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail
(202) 635-5810
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
(202) 635-5810
NOTE: This webpage
was launched in June
2006 and continues to
be updated. Please
check the webpage
often for new
information.
Legalization Questions?
CONTACT Mirna Torres
was launched in June
2006 and continues to
be updated. Please
check the webpage
often for new
information.
Legalization Questions?
CONTACT Mirna Torres
RESOURCES
UNITED STATES ELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
doc | pdf
FLIER FOR WORKERS ABOUT AgJOBS
-In English pdf
-In Spanish pdf
EMPLOYMENT/RESIDENCE LOG doc | pdf
INDIVIDUAL TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
-for individuals doc | pdf
-resources doc | pdf
DO NOT MAKE FALSE CLAIMS TO U.S.
CITIZENSHIP doc | pdf
-In Spanish (en espanol) doc | pdf
-In Creole doc | pdf
REGISTERING NEW VOTERS? Make sure you
only register U.S. citizens. If you register a
noncitizen, it could hurt him or her. doc | pdf
-In Spanish (en espanol) doc | pdf
-In Creole doc | pdf
BEWARE OF IMMIGRATION FRAUD "There is no
Legalization!! There is no Amnesty!!" doc | pdf
-In Spanish (en espanol) doc | pdf
WHO CAN HELP WITH IMMIGRATION MATTERS?
doc | pdf
FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST NOTARIOS AND
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS doc | pdf
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IMMIGRATION
CONSULTANT FRAUD doc | pdf
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT FRAUD
Basic Information & What You Can Do if You
Are a Victim of Fraud doc | pdf
UNITED STATES ELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
doc | pdf
FLIER FOR WORKERS ABOUT AgJOBS
-In English pdf
-In Spanish pdf
EMPLOYMENT/RESIDENCE LOG doc | pdf
INDIVIDUAL TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
-for individuals doc | pdf
-resources doc | pdf
DO NOT MAKE FALSE CLAIMS TO U.S.
CITIZENSHIP doc | pdf
-In Spanish (en espanol) doc | pdf
-In Creole doc | pdf
REGISTERING NEW VOTERS? Make sure you
only register U.S. citizens. If you register a
noncitizen, it could hurt him or her. doc | pdf
-In Spanish (en espanol) doc | pdf
-In Creole doc | pdf
BEWARE OF IMMIGRATION FRAUD "There is no
Legalization!! There is no Amnesty!!" doc | pdf
-In Spanish (en espanol) doc | pdf
WHO CAN HELP WITH IMMIGRATION MATTERS?
doc | pdf
FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST NOTARIOS AND
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS doc | pdf
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IMMIGRATION
CONSULTANT FRAUD doc | pdf
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT FRAUD
Basic Information & What You Can Do if You
Are a Victim of Fraud doc | pdf
LEGALIZATION PROJECT
RESOURCES FOR
NATIONAL PROGRAMS | LEGALIZATION | ADVOCACY | RELIGIOUS IMMIGRATION SERVICES | ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT | TRAINING & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
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