This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Political Asylum and Refugee Status issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and the Convention Against Torture
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture are three forms of relief from removal or deportation for people who are afraid to return to their home countries. This resource provides information on these forms of relief their different requirements and benefits.
ImmigrationLawHelp.org - Pennsylvania Organizations
ImmigrationLawHelp.org is a searchable online directory of over 1,000 free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal services providers in all 50 states. Only nonprofits that are BIA recognized or have attorneys on staff are included in the directory. Users can search ImmigrationLawHelp.org by state, zip code, or detention facility. Users can also refine their search by types and areas of legal assistance provided, populations served, languages spoken, other areas of legal assistance, and non-legal services provided. ImmigrationLawHelp.org was developed by the Immigration Advocates Network and Pro Bono Net with support from the Four Freedoms Fund.
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and the Convention Against Torture
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture are three forms of relief from removal or deportation for people who are afraid to return to their home countries. This resource provides information on these forms of relief their different requirements and benefits.
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 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.
Asylum
Information from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website regarding the process of applying for asylum. Includes links to forms and local low-cost immigration legal services providers.
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.
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.
Green Card for Asylees
U.S. immigration law allows asylees to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status after they have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year since being granted asylum. This page provides specific information for asylees in the United States who want to become LPRs (get a Green Card). This is called “adjustment of status.”
Green Card for Refugees
U.S. immigration law requires refugees to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status after they have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year. This page provides specific information for refugees in the United States who want to become LPRs (get a Green Card). This is called “adjustment of status.”
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)
Questions and Answers: Victims of Human Trafficking, T Nonimmigrant Status
T nonimmigrant status (T visa) is available to noncitizens who are or have been victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons and assist law enforcement in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of acts of trafficking. This provides Questions and Answers pertaining to T nonimmigrant status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Refugees
Information from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website outlining the process of applying for refugee status outside the US. Includes links to forms and local low-cost immigration legal services providers.
Temporary Protected Status
Questions and answers from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Includes a list of eligible countries and links to forms and local low-cost immigration legal services providers.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services YouTube Channel
This is the official channel of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on YouTube. It contains an extensive collection of videos on Citizenship and Naturalization; E-Verify; Avoiding Immigration Fraud; and Human Trafficking Awareness.
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.
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and the Convention Against Torture
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture are three forms of relief from removal or deportation for people who are afraid to return to their home countries. This resource provides information on these forms of relief their different requirements and benefits.
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 is by nonprofit legal experts to help immigrants understand their rights and options. Your answers are safe and private.
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 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.
Catholic Social Services (Philadelphia)
222 N. 17th Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103
267-331-2490