Immigration & tax procedures for immigrants in the US
Step-by-step guides to the procedures Hispanic immigrants in the US actually need: ITIN, DACA renewal, consular paperwork, document apostille, enrolling kids in school, finding legal help, and dozens more — what each costs, how long it takes, and the official source.
Immigration & tax procedures for immigrants in the US
This is the step-by-step section of MigrantUSA: the procedures Hispanic immigrants in the United States actually have to navigate, explained categorically — how each one works, what it costs, how long it takes, and where to find the official forms and sources. This is general procedural information, not legal advice. Choose a procedure below.
The rules change. Hear about it first.
Monthly digest of USCIS, IRS, and consulate fee, form, and deadline changes — no spam.
Is DACA still active? Current status of renewals, new applications, and the court case
DACA status right now: renewals are processed nationwide, initial applications stay frozen, and the Texas court case could change work permits in Texas. Dated updates.
Adjustment of status vs consular processing — 2026 USCIS memo explained
USCIS's May 2026 policy memo (PM-602-0199) treats in-country adjustment of status (Form I-485) as discretionary and points most green-card applicants to consular processing abroad. What changed, who's affected, and the unlawful-presence-bar risk.
Asylum annual fee (2026) — the new $102 USCIS charge explained
Under H.R.1, asylum seekers now pay a $100 Form I-589 filing fee plus a $102 Annual Asylum Fee for each year a case is pending (effective May 29, 2026). What it is, who owes it, how to pay, and what happens if you don't.
FBI background check (Identity History Summary) — how to get one (2026)
How to get your FBI background check (Identity History Summary / 'rap sheet'): the 3 ways to request it, the $18 fee, fingerprinting, processing time, and how to apostille it for use abroad (residency, visa, adoption).
DREAMer scholarships and tuition aid — by state
In-state tuition eligibility for DACA recipients and undocumented students, plus private-scholarship programs, by state. 19 states + DC offer in-state tuit
DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery — eligibility, ineligible countries, application
Diversity Visa Lottery DV-2026 eligibility by country of birth. Ineligible countries (19), Hispanic-origin status, registration period October 2 - November 7, 2024.
EEOC workplace rights — by state
EEOC field offices in all 50 states + DC + PR for workplace discrimination complaints. Federal law protects all workers regardless of immigration status.
Free English (ESL) classes for immigrants — by state
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) programs, community colleges, libraries, and nonprofits offering free ESL classes by state. Many programs a
Free immigration legal help in the US — BIA-recognized organizations by state
Directory of 1256 non-profits across 49 states authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice (Board of Immigration Appeals / BIA) to provide immigration leg
HUD field offices in the US — by state
Directory of HUD field offices in all 50 states + DC + PR for Section 8, public housing, fair housing complaints, FHA loans.
Immigration courts (EOIR) in the US — by state
Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) court locations, judges, Webex links, and telephonic-access codes by state. 30 states host immigration court
Immigration legal aid and pro-bono attorneys — by state
Free or low-cost immigration legal help: BIA-recognized organizations, AILA pro-bono lists, law-school clinics, and bar-association referrals by state. Ver
Immigration overview by country of origin (Hispanic)
Comprehensive immigration guide per Hispanic country: consulates, visa reciprocity, TPS, tax treaties, embassy contacts. Covers 12 origin countries.
IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers — by state
All 378 IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers across 52 states + DC + PR. TACs handle in-person tax services including ITIN applications (Form W-7). Most operate
LSC-funded civil legal aid by state — directory + eligibility
Legal Services Corporation grantee directory by state. Free civil legal services for housing, family, public benefits, consumer matters. Federal funding totaled $560M in FY 2025.
Recent immigration policy changes (Federal Register)
All immigration-related Federal Register rules + proposed rules since 2025. Binding USCIS/ICE/EOIR law tracker.
Selective Service registration for immigrants — who must register
US Selective Service System registration requirements for immigrant men ages 18-25 by visa/status category. Failure to register may disqualify federal benefits + naturalization.
TPS by country (2026) — current designations, terminations & dates
Temporary Protected Status status as of June 2026: which countries are active (El Salvador, Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon), which terminations are paused by courts (Haiti, Venezuela, Honduras, others), how to re-register, and the new 1-year work-permit limit.
Traveling to your home country from the US — country guides
Per-country guides for immigrants in the US planning home-country visits. Travel advisories, US embassy locations, re-entry rules for green-card holders, TPS, asylum applicants.
US bilateral tax treaties — full country list + Hispanic-origin status
List of all 68 countries with US bilateral income-tax treaties (per IRS Publication 901). Hispanic-origin country treaty status. Reduces double taxation for US-source income earned by foreign residents.
US border crossings: wait times and ports of entry
Live wait times and a directory of every CBP land port of entry on the Mexican and Canadian borders.
US Visa Reciprocity by country (Hispanic-origin)
US Department of State visa reciprocity schedules for 18 Hispanic-origin countries. Each per-country page lists visa fees, entries allowed, and validity pe
USCIS field offices in the US — by state
USCIS operates 93 field offices nationwide for biometrics, interviews, and InfoPass appointments. Find your assigned office by home ZIP. Walk-ins generally
Visa Bulletin priority dates — current month, auto-updated
Live US Visa Bulletin priority dates: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for family-sponsored (F1-F4) and employment-based (EB-1 to EB-5) green cards, by country. Updated monthly from the State Department.
Vital records offices in the US — by state (birth, marriage, death certs)
CDC-listed state vital records offices for all 50 states + DC + PR + territories. Birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates for immigration filings.
Workplace rights and minimum wage for immigrants — by state
Federal and state minimum wage, wage-theft remedies, OSHA workplace-safety, and anti-retaliation protections — all apply regardless of immigration status.
Immigration medical exam (Form I-693) and required vaccinations
Complete guide to the USCIS medical exam for green card and other immigration benefits. Required vaccines, civil surgeons, panel physicians abroad, costs, waivers, exemptions. 11 required vaccines explained. Updated 2026.
Paths to legal status in the US — by your current situation
Comprehensive guide to legal status paths in the US: visa overstay, EWI (border crossing), DACA, TPS, asylum, VAWA, U-visa, T-visa, marriage AOS, cancellation of removal, 245(i), SIJ, military naturalization, DV lottery, EB-5, family-based, employment-based. Pure information, no lead gen.
Pathways by immigration status — find your route
Procedural information organized by immigration status. Driver's license, banking, healthcare, education, employment, taxes, housing, voting, credit-building — all paths laid out by your status.
Scams + Fraud Awareness — Protecting Hispanic Immigrants
Most common scams targeting Hispanic immigrants. Notario fraud, IRS/USCIS impersonation, DV Lottery scams, marriage fraud, predatory lending. How to spot, report, recover.
Set up US utilities without SSN — full guide for ITIN holders + immigrants
How to set up electricity, water, gas, internet, mobile in US without SSN. ITIN, matrícula consular, passport accepted. Deposit alternatives, low-income programs.
Social Security Administration procedures — SSN, replacements, online account
How to apply for SSN (new or replacement), find local SSA office, set up online account. SS-5 form, fees ($0), processing times. Citizen children + ITIN guidance.
USCIS Notice Codes — What Each Means and What to Do
Complete guide to USCIS notice codes I-797A/B/C/E/F, NOID, NTA. What each notice means, response deadlines, what to do, common scams.
Vital records by state — birth, marriage, death certificates
Get certified birth, marriage, death certificates from each US state. Vital Records office per state, fees, processing times. Critical for immigration cases.
Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) — sponsor guide
Form I-864 is the sworn declaration the family petitioner must sign promising to financially support the immigrant. Income requirements (125% poverty level), responsibilities, and how it's used in green card process.
Cell phone plans for immigrants in the US — no contract, no SSN
Comparison of prepaid and postpaid plans in the US for Hispanic immigrants. Mint Mobile, US Mobile, T-Mobile Prepaid, Cricket Wireless. No SSN, no contract, cheap plans.
How to apostille a US document for use abroad
Step-by-step guide to apostille US-issued documents (birth certificates, marriage, FBI background checks) for use in other countries. Secretary of State process, cost, time.
How to enroll children in US public school regardless of immigration status
ALL children have right to free public K-12 education in US regardless of immigration status (Plyler v. Doe 1982). Required documents, school registration.
How to find a notary public in the US (free and paid)
Where to find notaries public in US for signing documents: banks (free for customers), UPS Store, FedEx, libraries, AAA, mobile notaries. Costs $5-$15.
How to find immigration attorney (including free options)
Guide to finding a legitimate immigration attorney: AILA directory, nonprofits (CLINIC, CHIRLA, NILC), Catholic Charities, BIA-accredited representatives, typical costs.
How to rent apartment in US without credit history
Renting as new immigrant without credit history: options, what documents to bring, typical deposits, more accessible landlords, co-signers.
How to translate documents for USCIS — certified translation requirements
USCIS requires documents in other languages come with English translation with specific certification. Process, cost, who can certify, common errors.
Path to US citizenship — step-by-step guide for residents
How to naturalize as a US citizen: 5 years (or 3 if married to citizen), residency requirements, English + civics exam, biometrics, interview, oath ceremony. Timeline, costs, common errors.
Public Charge Rule — what it is and when it matters for immigrants
The Public Charge Rule is a USCIS determination of whether an immigrant is likely to depend on the US government for subsistence. Affects green card and entry applications. Covers the current rule (2022 to present) and which benefit programs are counted and which are not.
USCIS forms — immigrant guide
Information about USCIS forms for immigrants in the USA: DACA, employment authorization (EAD), naturalization, adjustment of status (green card), family petition.
General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.