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A path to citizenship: Your journey from undocumented to citizen

  • 7-minute read
by Kasey Husk If you live in the United States without status, we know that life can be difficult. Being undocumented likely affects almost every aspect of your life, including work, the places you can go, and whether you can buy a home or drive a car. It affects whether you qualify for certain benefits in the United States, including social security. It means that there is always that fear in the back of your mind of what would happen if you were deported. The worst part is when your status makes you feel like you must endure abuse from the people in your life, whether it is your spouse, your child, or your parents, just because they have status and you do not.  Please know two things: 
  1. You are not alone 
  2. This does not have to be your life
Eagan Immigration is here to help you on your path from undocumented to citizen as quickly as possible  At Eagan Immigration, we have a wide range of practice areas, which means we are experts in finding the right way to help you achieve legal status in the United States. Many of our clients have been told by other immigration lawyers that nothing can be done and there is no way for them to get status. But where other firms see impossible obstacles, Eagan sees unique challenges. And there is nothing we like better than a challenge.   Eagan Immigration specializes in handling a variety of immigration petitions, including self-petitions based on abuse suffered at the hands of a relative who is a US citizen or resident, visas for victims of human trafficking or labor trafficking (T Visas), and visas for victims of a crime (U Visas). If you have a relative serving in the US armed forces, we can help you apply for one of two potential programs that will protect you from deportation and allow you to work legally in the United States. We also handle Adjustment of Status (AOS) based on marriage or family, among others. When the time comes, we can also help you apply for naturalization as a U.S. citizen.   Do you think you do not qualify for any of these categories for an immigration petition? Is possible what if Surprise. Tell your story to Eagan and we will identify all possible avenues for you – often what others have overlooked.  So what is the first step on your path to citizenship?  It all starts with picking up the phone! The best way to determine your possible paths to citizenship is to call our Virginia office for an easy, no-pressure conversation. From there, we will guide you through your options that could get you a green card or US citizenship faster than you think. Here is what that path could look like:   Llama Eagan Immigration and speak – in your native language – with one of our receptionists who will explain our process and schedule you for a consultation. 
  1. You will provide basic information about yourself. during a scheduled consultation with one of our legal team members who will then take that information to one of our eight attorneys so they can analyze your options. Afterward, you will receive a call from our team explaining what our attorneys think is the best choice to apply for legal status in the United States, along with detailed information on costs and payment options. Once you have made a decision on what works best for you, things will start moving faster on our end.  
  2. It is time to talk to a Case Strategist! Your Case Strategist will ask you some questions about your specific situation in a long phone call; there is no need to come to the office. For many types of petitions, we will be writing a statement about your specific story to use as evidence in your case. You will also work with document specialists who will help you find all the information you need so that we can build a strong case for you. At Eagan, we make this process as simple and painless as possible; you can even text us photos of documents if needed. Trying to do this alone can be intimidating, but with us by your side, you don't have to worry about a thing.  
  3. We deliver your request and the wait begins. After we have all the information we need, we will submit your petition. Our goal is always to get your package out the door efficiently because we know that you want your status as soon as possible. The amount of time you will wait for your final decision will vary greatly depending on the type of petition we are submitting for you; this can often take more than two years. That may seem like a long time, but there is good news: before your petition is approved, other life-changing documents could be coming your way.  
Receiving Your Documents 
  1. Prima facie notice. Receiving this document is very good because it means that USCIS has reviewed your application and, without making a final decision, determined that it appears you have met all the requirements for approval in the future. With this letter, you may be eligible for various forms of assistance, such as food and housing assistance.  
  2. Work permit (EAD card). This document means that, perhaps for the first time, you will have legal authorization to work in the United States! If you have been trapped in a low-paying or abusive environment because you feared you wouldn't be able to find another job, you now have the freedom to look for work elsewhere without fear. You can live better and save for your future. For some types of petitions – such as VAWA or family-based AOS – you could have a work permit within six to twelve months after applying.  
  3. Travel permit. For many undocumented immigrants, among the most painful aspects of living without status is not being able to return to their native country to see their family. That changes when they receive their travel permit. With this document, they can leave the United States without fear of not being able to return. In some cases, they could receive this document between six to twelve months after applying. A family reunion could be closer than you think.  
  4. Approval of your petition. Of course, the real question will always be: How soon will I get my green card? How soon can I naturalize as a citizen? This question depends entirely on the type of petition we are filing for you, in addition to the current USCIS wait times. However, you can be sure that Eagan will do their best to submit everything as soon as possible. From then on, it is a matter of waiting to receive these life-changing documents.   
This month, we want you to get to know the story of a client who began her journey without documents and later managed to become a United States citizen. Check back on our blog later this month to learn more about this story, and perhaps be inspired to start your own story just like she did.   Starting a new journey will always be intimidating, but as the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Let Eagan be the one by your side as you begin it. Talk to an immigration specialist today at 202-709-6439.