This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Immigration and Work in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
How to Get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
This video from the Internal Revenue Service explains how to get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you need to file a tax return, but aren't eligible for a Social Security number, you'll need an ITIN.
Immigrant Workers’ Rights and COVID-19 - Frequently Asked Questions
The COVID-19 public health crisis is creating many challenges for immigrant workers and their families. An estimated six million immigrants are in essential jobs at the front lines of the response to this pandemic. This provides answers to frequently asked questions from immigrant workers and their advocates about COVID-19-related topics.
ImmigrationLawHelp.org - Pennsylvania Organizations
List of organizations in Pennsylvania from ImmigrationLawHelp.org offering assistance, counseling or representation in immigration issues.
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. This classroom resource provides information about human trafficking, including how to deal with it, and how to report if you are a victim of trafficking.
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.
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.
Filing an Employment Discrimination Charge - A Do-It-Yourself Packet for Immigrant Workers
A Do-It-Yourself Packet for Immigrant Workers. This Packet Contains a Basic Information Brief: Employer Sanctions and Discrimination; Sample I-9 Form; Practical Tips on Dealing with a Discriminatory Employer; How to File a Discrimination Charge; Instructions on Filling out the Charge Form; and Sample Charge and Complaint Forms.
Forms Updates
This page lists updates to forms as they publish them, along with a brief explanation of the nature of the update.
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.
Immigrant Workers Have Rights!
Know your rights and enforce them! No matter what your immigration status is, these rights apply to all!
Immigration and Unemployment Compensation: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to many comman questions about immigration status and unemployment compensation benefits.
Filing an Employment Discrimination Charge - A Do-It-Yourself Packet for Immigrant Workers
A Do-It-Yourself Packet for Immigrant Workers. This Packet Contains a Basic Information Brief: Employer Sanctions and Discrimination; Sample I-9 Form; Practical Tips on Dealing with a Discriminatory Employer; How to File a Discrimination Charge; Instructions on Filling out the Charge Form; and Sample Charge and Complaint Forms.
Immigrant Workers’ Rights and COVID-19 - Frequently Asked Questions
The COVID-19 public health crisis is creating many challenges for immigrant workers and their families. An estimated six million immigrants are in essential jobs at the front lines of the response to this pandemic. This provides answers to frequently asked questions from immigrant workers and their advocates about COVID-19-related topics.
E-Verify: Employee Rights and Responsibilities
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees by electronically matching information provided by employees against records available to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is important that you know your rights and responsibilities when you apply to work for an employer who participates in E-Verify and this web page provides the information you need on your rights.
Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants
You may be eligible to become a permanent resident based on an offer of permanent employment in the United States. This provides information and directions from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services about the steps to apply for lawful permanent residence or "green card" through a job or offer of employment.
Information for Employers and Employees
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services about the responsibilities of Employers and Employees regarding immigration and working in the United States.
Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers
In order for you to come to the United States lawfully as a nonimmigrant to work temporarily in the United States your prospective employer must generally file a nonimmigrant petition on your behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This provides information from USCIS on how a nonimmigrant can qualify to work temporarily in the United States.
Permanent Workers
If you have the right combination of skills, education, and/or work experience and are otherwise eligible, you may be able to live permanently in the United States. This provides information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on whether you qualify.
Social Security & Entering the United States of America
Section of the Social Security Administration website providing information about Social Security for recent immigrants and other non-citizens entering the United States.
Temporary Visitors for Business
Information U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on how you can obtain a Temporary Visitors for Business Visa, unless you qualify for admission without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.
Blue Campaign
Information on Blue Campaign, a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.
How to Get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
This video from the Internal Revenue Service explains how to get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you need to file a tax return, but aren't eligible for a Social Security number, you'll need an ITIN.
Students and Exchange Visitors
Information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on what to do if you wish to pursue full-time academic or vocational studies in the United States or wish to participate in an educational of cultural exchange program.
Tools That Teach: What is Human Trafficking? (Video)
This video from the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign helps answer the question "What is Human Trafficking? "
Immigration Status and Your Rights as a Worker
This fact sheet for workers from the National Employment Law Project gives an overview of the ways in which immigration status may affect worker's labor and employment rights. Please consult an attorney to get an evaluation of your claims. [PDF] (July 2002)
Social Security No-Match Letters: Questions and Answers for Workers
This Q & A from the National Employment Law Project addresses frequently asked questions about workers' rights when their employer receives a Social-Security no-match letter. A no-match letter indicates that the information submitted by the employer contains names and Social Security numbers that do not match SSA records. Please consult an attorney to get an evaluation of your claims. [PDF] (November 2007)
Fact Sheet on Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN)
Information from the National Employment Law Project about Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) issued by IRS to process taxes. The ITIN was created for individuals who do not qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN) so they can work and pay taxes. [PDF] (November 2004)
Employer Work Authorization Verification
This fact sheet from the National Employment Law Project explains the legal process by which employers verify work authorization and the circumstances under which re-verification is permitted. [PDF] (July 2002)
About DACA and Employment
Information and Frequently Asked Questions about workers rights under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. (September 2017)
Citizenship Discrimination
Information on citizenship status discrimination, where an employer treats you differently from other workers because of your citizenship or immigration status.
Document Abuse
By law, employers must make sure that the workers they hire have permission to work in the U.S. But the same law also says that employers may not discriminate against workers with authorization to work. This provides information on the most common legal work authorization documents that you are allowed to show your employer to prove your identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
Filing an Employment Discrimination Charge - A Do-It-Yourself Packet for Immigrant Workers
A Do-It-Yourself Packet for Immigrant Workers. This Packet Contains a Basic Information Brief: Employer Sanctions and Discrimination; Sample I-9 Form; Practical Tips on Dealing with a Discriminatory Employer; How to File a Discrimination Charge; Instructions on Filling out the Charge Form; and Sample Charge and Complaint Forms.
I-9 Antidiscrimination Protections
In 1986, Congress enacted the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) that made it unlawful for an employer in the United States to knowingly hire a worker who is not authorized to work in the U.S. The 1986 law established a procedure that employers must follow to verify that employees are authorized to work in the U.S. The federal government created Form I-9, the employment eligibility verification form, which employers must complete for all new employees. (Sept 2009)
Know Your Rights About E-Verify
Information about your rights relating to E-Verify, the Internet-based program that allows participating employers to electronically verify workers? employment eligibility with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. (January 2010)
Proving Work Authorization and Reverification
Questions and answers on work authorization and reverification. (April 2009)
Rights Begin at Home: Protecting Yourself as a Domestic Worker
This handbook from the National Employment Law Project informs domestic workers about their rights under the law and offers advice on how to improve their wages and working conditions. Please consult an attorney to get an evaluation of your claims. [PDF] (November 2010)