FAQs
Get informed about the basics with these common gaps in Immigration knowledge.
BOND
Q: What can I do if ICE has detained a family member or friend?
Having a loved one detained by ICE can cause a lot of anxiety to everyone involved. Fortunately, certain individuals may be released from custody if they qualify for a bond . An immigration bond is a set amount of money determined by an immigration judge or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Q: What can I do if ICE has detained a family member or friend?
You visit the following site for locations based on your city and state:
https://www.ice.gov/detain/ice-ero-bond-acceptance-facilities
Q: Can anyone pay the bond for a relative or friend who has been detained by ICE?
The person who pays the bond must be a Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. citizen. The individual must present a valid ID and social security card at the time of paying the bond.
ASYLUM
Q: What is asylum?
Asylum is a form of status granted to people who can prove that they have been persecuted in their home country or have a well-founded fear that they will be persecuted in their home country on account of race, religion, nationality, and/or membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
Q: When should I apply for asylum?
Asylum applicants must apply within one-year of their last entry into the United States. The applicant must also be in the U.S. or seeking admission at a port of entry to the U.S. when applying for asylum.
Q: Can I apply for asylum more than a year after arriving in the United States?
Generally, no. However, there is an exception to the one-year filing deadline if the applicant can demonstrate the existence of changed circumstances which materially affect the applicant’s eligibility for asylum or extraordinary circumstances relating to the delay in filing the application within the first year of entry.
DEFERRED ENFORCED DEPARTURE (DED)
Q: Do I qualify for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)?
If you are a national of Venezuela or Liberia, you may qualify for deferred enforced departure if you meet certain criteria. On January 19, 2021, the White House issued a memorandum to the Secretary of Homeland Security approving Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Venezuelans. Venezuelans who are eligible for deferral can continue to live and work in the U.S., similar to those included under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. On January 20, 2021, White House also issued a Memorandum to the Secretary of Homeland Security extending DED and employment authorization through June 30, 2022 for eligible individuals who had DED Liberia as of January 10, 2021.
CITIZENSHIP & NATURALIZATION
Q: Do I qualify for citizenship or naturalization?
You may qualify for citizenship or naturalization depending on your unique circumstances. There are different ways to obtain citizenship in the United States:
- I am have been a Lawful Permanent Resident for 5 Years
- I am Married to a U.S. Citizen for the past 3 years
- I am Serving in the U.S. Military
- I am the Child of a U.S. Citizen
Q: Do I qualify for DACA?
You may qualify for DACA if you meet the following requirements:
- Must have been under 31 years of age as of June 15, 2012;
- Must have came to the U.S. while under the age of 16;
- Must have continuously resided in the U.S. from June 15, 2007 to the present;
- Must have entered the U.S. without inspection before June 15, 2012, or individuals whose lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
- Must have been physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making the request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
- Must be currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a GED, or have been honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or armed forces; and
- Must not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor, or more than three misdemeanors and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
Q: Can I apply for DACA now?
As of December 4, 2020, USCIS must now accept first-time requests and renewal requests for DACA as well as advance parole requests from eligible DACA recipients. In addition, individuals who received one-year DACA protection have had their DACA protection and work authorization automatically extended to two years.
Keeping Families Together
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