Family Status Issues
Legal Information
This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Family Status Issues.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
ImmigrationLawHelp.org - Pennsylvania Organizations
List of organizations in Pennsylvania from ImmigrationLawHelp.org offering assistance, counseling or representation in immigration issues.
Planning for Custody and Care of Children: an Informational Guide for Immigrant Families
This guide is designed to provide important basic information about child custody to immigrant families.
Adoptions-Based Forms
Link to "All Forms" page from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Filter by Category to list "Adoptions-Based Forms". USCIS forms are always FREE to download on this site, or order by mail or phone at 1-800-870-3676.
Family-Based Forms
Link to "All Forms" page from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Filter by Category to list "Family-Based Forms". USCIS forms are always FREE to download on this site, or order by mail or phone at 1-800-870-3676.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
File My Application Online (E-Filing)
This is a location where you can file certain application documents online with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Submitting your application online provides you with several benefits. Get helpful instructions and tips from USCIS as you complete your form using the secure online filing system, avoid common mistakes, and pay your fees online.
Forms Updates
This page from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services lists updates to USCIS forms as they are published, along with a brief explanation of the nature of the update.
Green Card Based Forms
Link to "All Forms" page from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Filter by Category to list "Green Card-Based Forms". USCIS forms are always FREE to download on this site, or order by mail or phone at 1-800-870-3676.USCIS forms are always FREE to download on this site, or order by mail or phone at 1-800-870-3676.
Immigration Forms and Fees
Downloadable Immigration Forms from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Paying USCIS Filing Fees
Information on how you pay the filing fees (including biometrics and other fees) that are required to file many forms with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This will depend on whether you are inside or outside of the United States.
Planning for Custody and Care of Children: an Informational Guide for Immigrant Families
This guide is designed to provide important basic information about child custody to immigrant families.
Adoption
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on the intercountry adoption process, where U.S. Citizens adopt children from overseas.
Bringing Children, Sons and Daughters to Live in the United States as Permanent Residents
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services about helping your child become a permanent resident of the United States.
Family of Green Card Holders (Permanent Residents)
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on your right as a green card holder (permanent resident), to petition for certain family members to immigrate to the United States as permanent residents.
Family of Refugees & Asylees
If you entered the United States as a refugee within the past 2 years or were granted asylee status within the past 2 years, you may petition for certain family members to obtain derivative refugee or asylee status. Here is information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on when and how to do this.
Family of U.S. Citizens
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on your right to petition for certain family members based on your relationship.
Green Card Eligibility Categories
In order to apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed on this page. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.
Hague Process (Adoption)
Information from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on the adoption process under the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty that provides important safeguards to protect the best interests of children, birth parents, and adoptive parents who are involved in intercountry adoptions. All cases filed on or after April 1, 2008, seeking to adopt a child habitually resident in any country outside of the United States that is a party to the Convention must follow the Hague process.
How Do I Help My Relative Get Refugee or Asylee Status?
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on how you may be able to help your relative obtain asylee or refugee status if you are currently in refugee or asylee status. [PDF] (October 2013)
Immigration through Adoption
Information on immigration through the adoption process from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigration through adoption, or “Intercountry adoption,” refers to the adoption of a child born in one country by an adoptive parent living in another country. USCIS plays a key role in the intercountry adoption process.
Intercountry Adoptions
An overview of resources, materials and immigration benefits available to prospective adoptive parents of foreign-born orphans from the U.S. Department of State.
Orphan Process
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on how to immigrate an adopted child through the Orphan Process.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Fact Sheets
Listing of Fact Sheets available from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Enforcement and Removal, Homeland Security Investigations and Management and Administration.
Find Legal Help for Unaccompanied Minors in Immigration
The Unaccompanied Children Resource Center maintains a directory of free and low-cost immigration legal services providers that can be searched by state, county or zip code, as well as information about what happens in immigration court and information on requirements to secure status in certain special circumstances.
How to defend your own case/Como defender su propio caso
These self-help materials are designed for detainees to use in representing themselves when applying for some common forms of legal relief from removal. Please note they are written for detainees in Arizona and most were last updated in 2013, with support from the American College of Trial Lawyers Emil Gumpert Award. These publications are meant to provide useful basic information about immigration law and detention in removal in Arizona and were created in the course of the Florence Project’s work. Under no circumstances do they constitute legal advice.
immi
Immi helps immigrants in the U.S. understand their legal options. The online screening tool, legal information, and referrals to nonprofit legal services organizations are always free to use. Immi was created by the Immigration Advocates Network and Pro Bono Net, two nonprofit organizations dedicated to increasing access to justice for low-income immigrants.
immi Learning Center
The immi learning center is your resource for learning about U.S. immigration and how to stay in the U.S. legally. Browse the glossary for basic terms and concepts. Or read more detail about common ways to stay in the U.S.
immi - Search for Legal Help
Immi helps immigrants in the U.S. understand their legal options. Our online screening tool, legal information, and referrals to nonprofit legal services organizations are always free to use. Immi works with legal aid organizations across the U.S. to connect immigrants to legal help. Enter your address or zip code to see a list of organizations in your area.