What Are My Immigration Options?
Many immigrants in the United States wonder if they can apply for a different immigration status or for benefits that can help them stay, work, or bring family members to the country.
Here are some common immigration benefits and who they may apply to:
- Can I apply for immigration status for my family?
- Can I get permission to work legally in the U.S.?
- Are there visas for victims of crime or abuse?
- What if I need asylum or protection from returning to my home country?
Can I apply for immigration status for my family?
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can apply to bring close family members to the United States. This includes spouses, children, parents, and sometimes siblings.
In some cases, these family members can receive lawful immigration status even if they are living undocumented in the United States .
- The process involves filing a family-based visa petition and can take months or many years depending on what country they are from and the type of family relationship.
- In some cases, if the family member is already in the United States, they may have to travel back to the country where they were born as part of the process.
- This article on immi.org explains more about family-based immigration.
Can I get permission to work legally in the U.S.?
You may be eligible for a work permit (Employment Authorization Document) if you have filed an immigration application, such as asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or certain visas.
- Work permits allow you to work legally while your case is being decided.
Are there visas for victims of crime or abuse?
Yes. If you are a victim of crime, abuse, or human trafficking, you may qualify for special visas:
- U visas: For victims of crime who help law enforcement. For more, see this article on U visas.
- T visas: For victims of human trafficking. For more, see this article on T visas.
- VAWA petitions: For victims of domestic violence who are married to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. For more, see this article on VAWA.
What if I need asylum or protection from returning to my home country?
If you fear that you would be harmed if you were to return to your home country, you may be able to apply for asylum.
- Asylum is for people who fear they would be harmed in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group.
- You must apply within one year of arriving in the U.S., with some exceptions.
- This article on immi.org explains more about asylum.
- This video, Asylum is In Your Hands, also explains the basics of asylum.