Frequently Asked Questions
about the United States' Immigration Process
The information on this website is focused on the immigration process that those who enter the United States through the southern border will undergo. The materials on this website are intended to give those who are likely to apply/have applied for asylum or another form of protection from deportation an overview of the immigration process. It is not meant to address every single variation of this process. To understand how the process applies to your situation, you should consult with an immigration lawyer or non-profit immigration legal services agency.
Questions Overview
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What is the immigration process?
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What are the different agencies that are involved in the immigration process?
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I've received several documents at the border, but I do not understand what they are.
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I've just arrived and I'm overwhelmed by all of this information. What should I focus on first?
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Your Immigration Court Hearing
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How can I find when my next hearing date is?
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What's going to happen at my first immigration court hearing?
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What is ICE and why do I also have to check in with them?
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How do I schedule and check in for my appointments with ICE?
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Moving During the Immigration Process
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What happens if I move while I'm waiting for my individual merits hearing?
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How do I change my address?
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How do I file a change of venue?
Stage 2: Filing Your Paperwork
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What are my options?
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What is asylum?
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What is TPS?
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What is SIJS?
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Preparing & Submitting Your Asylum Application
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How do I fill out my asylum application?
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How do I submit my asylum application?
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What happens after I submit my asylum application?
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Applying for Work Authorization
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When can I apply for work authorization?
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What are the steps for filing my work authorization?
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What happens after I submit work authorization?
Stage 3: Preparing For Your Trial/Asylum Interview​
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What is a trial? Why do some people have trials and other people have interviews?
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What’s the difference between an asylum interview and a merits hearing?
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What is the difference between the master hearing and the individual/merits hearing?
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What will happen at the individual/merits hearing?
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What can I expect from my immigration lawyer?
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How can I find a lawyer?
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How can I avoid fraudulent lawyers?
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What happens if I can’t find a lawyer​​
Pulling Together Your Evidence
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How do I determine what evidence to prepare for my individual hearing?
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What is a country conditions packet and how can it help me?
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Is there anything I should not submit as part of my evidence?
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How do I submit my evidence?
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What happens if I don’t have a printer?
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I’ve prepared all of my evidence. What else can I do to get ready for my individual hearing?
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What are some things I should avoid doing during the trial?