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Documents Immigrants Should Keep Handy

By Humera Subhani Email By Humera Subhani
April 2017
Documents Immigrants Should Keep Handy

Immigration offices across the nation have been flooded with questions after the Trump administration released an aggressive plan to stop illegal immigration. Here are some tips.

Two memorandums signed by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly laid out a series of policies intended to increase immigration enforcement, speed deportations, and discourage new asylum seekers. Among the provisions is the creation of a new office within Department of Homeland Security to work with the victims of crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants.

The practical impact of the orders is not yet clear and some of the new policies will likely face legal challenges. The new memos substantially expand the list of offenses that are likely to lead to deportation. The administration will prioritize deportation of undocumented immigrants accused—not necessarily convicted—of all “chargeable criminal offenses,” potentially including immigration-related violations. And the memorandums make clear that all of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States are subject to deportation at any time.

To enact the tough new policies, the DHS will hire 5,000 new border patrol and 10,000 new immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) agents. The agency will also look to expand the number of local law enforcement agencies working with the federal government to enforce immigration law. Most immigrant agencies are advising immigrants not to answer questions from ICE without an attorney, not to sign anything or give up any documents, and to keep the following documents with you in case you are questioned:
Naturalized U.S. citizens - US passport, or passport card, or a photocopy of your naturalization certificate.
Permanent residents - Federal law requires that anyone who is not a US Citizen is required to carry evidence of their lawful status: carry your green card.
Lawfully present nonimmigrants (H1B, L1, F1, U visas, etc.) - Carry your Employment Authorization Document, I-94 card, passport with entry stamp, or other proof of status. For work visas, also carry current paystubs.
DACA applicants - Carry your Employment Authorization Document and DACA approval notice. If you have filed and are waiting, carry your receipt notice.
Undocumented immigrants in the US - Carry evidence of any pending case in the US and your proof of residence in the US from when you first entered to present (e.g., if you entered in 2012, carry your tax returns from 2012 to present).

Make sure that if you do carry originals, you also have copies at home or in a safe place.


APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR April  2017

 

FAMILY

India

Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st

15Oct10

15Oct10

2A

08Jun15

08Jun15

2B

15Sep10

15Sep10

3rd

15May05

15May05

4th

15Aug03

08May04

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

India

Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st

Current

Current

2nd

22Jun08

Current

3rd

24Mar05

15Feb17

Other

24Mar05

15Feb17

4th

Current

Current

5th

Current

Current1B

 


DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - April 2017

 

FAMILY

India

Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st

01Jan11

01Jan11

2A

22Nov15

22Nov15

2B

08Feb11

08Feb11

3rd

22Aug05

22Aug05

4th

01May04

01Jul04

 

 

EMPLOYMENT

India

Pakistan/Bangladesh

1st

Current

Current

2nd

22Apr09

Current

3rd

01Jul05

Current

Other

01Jul05

Current

4th

Current

Current

5th

Current

Current1B

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-april-2017.html


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