Immigration Options for Undocumented Immigrants
Under the current immigration laws and regulations, any foreign born nationals who live within the U.S. without a valid visa or legal right to remain in the country is considered as undocumented or illegal immigrant. Being an undocumented immigrant can be hard because you cannot work legally or be able to enjoy the same legal rights and privileges such as health care, freedom of travel abroad as American citizens or legal permanent residents. However, there are immigration options for undocumented immigrants depending on your circumstances and immigration history.
Immigration Options for Undocumented Immigrants in the United States
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA)
One of the immigration options for undocumented individuals is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA. DACA is an immigration policy that grants certain undocumented immigrants who entered the US before turning 16 years old and have been in the US since January 1, 2010, a legal right to stay in the United States without facing deportation. DACA has been a very popular option for undocumented individuals who came here when they were just children.
Learn more about DACAI-160A Provisional Waiver for Unlawful Presence
Did you enter the U.S. illegally and are currently residing in the U.S.? If so, do you have a close family member or employer to sponsor you a green card but afraid that you won’t be able to adjust your status due to the unlawful entry? If you answer is yes, you may be eligible for a waiver for unlawful presence.
I-601A Provisional waiver is another immigration options for undocumented immigrants as it is an immigration waiver for undocumented individuals who entered the U.S. illegal. To be eligible for an I-601(A) waiver if you must have a pending or approved immigrant visa such as a I-130, I-140 or a fiance(e) visa. Once your I-601(A) waiver is filed, you may remain in the U.S. while the petition is pending so that you are not separated from your family during the long adjudicating period.
Learn more about I-601AI-601 Inadmissibility Waiver
I-601 Inadmissibility Waiver is for any undocumented individual who wants to enter to U.S. but is barred from entering because of his/her past immigration, criminal or personal history in the United States. In addition, you must also proof that your absence or departure in the United States will cause extreme hardship on your U.S. citizen parent, spouse or fiance(e). I-601 waiver or sometimes known as I-601 extreme hardship waiver is to be filed from overseas, typically after an approved I-130 (petition for immediate relative), or I-129F (Fiancé Visa) or at an oversea Consulate during an interview.
Learn more about I-601U Visa for Victims of Crimes
If you are an undocumented individual and have suffered as a victim of crime in the past while living in the U.S., you may be eligible for an U Visa. In essence, an U visa is a special non-immigrant visa that grants temporary status to eligible victims of certain crimes, if the victim cooperates with law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.
Learn more about U VisaWhy hire us?
There are many possible ways to legalize your status in the U.S. depending on your background and immigration history. If you are an undocumented immigrant and wish to know how we can help you to get the rights that you deserved, please contact us today.
Our law firm is very experienced representing undocumented immigrants in getting their legal status. Our principal lawyer Gerald Cipolla is an active advocate for undocumented immigrants in our community and is frequently invited to advise on the latest immigration development of undocumented immigration.
As a diverse Chicago based immigration law firm, our immigration lawyers understand what it’s like to be a foreigner as our team consists of Puerto Rican, Mexican American, Chinese and Persian immigration attorneys and staff. We speak Espanol, Chinese and Persian. Please contact us today for a confidential consultation.
