With the upcoming presidential transition, major shifts in immigration law and policy are anticipated. If you or someone you know is eligible for certain immigration benefits, now may be the time to act. Here are six key options to consider before January 20, 2025:
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฐ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ: Nearly a million young immigrants rely on DACA for work authorization and protection from deportation. Given possible policy changes, DACA holders should ensure their status is up-to-date. ๐ For renewal details, visit uscis.gov.
๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ: Traveling abroad may soon become limited. If you need to travel temporarily outside the U.S. for education, work, or humanitarian reasons, consider applying for advance parole, which can also aid in future residency applications. ๐ More info at ilrc.org.
๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฌ (๐๐๐): Individuals from countries affected by war, natural disaster, or other crises may qualify for TPS, which provides deportation protection and work authorization. To maintain or apply for TPS, check eligibility at uscis.gov.
๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ: If you are a TPS or DACA recipient married to a U.S. citizen or have an adult U.S. citizen child, you may have a faster path to a green card. Donโt waitโconsult with an immigration attorney about your options.
๐๐๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งs: Certain undocumented individuals may qualify for an in-country waiver, significantly reducing time away from family. This process may become stricter, so eligible individuals should apply soon. ๐ Find details at uscis.gov. ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ : If you have a green card, consider applying for U.S. citizenship. Changes to eligibility requirements or fees may be on the horizon. ๐