Types of Statuses

Protection List

Explore your immigration status options and learn about various categories such as:

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
Yes, if you enter the U.S. and do not speak with immigration officials

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
No, and if you want to apply for a status that can lead to becoming a citizen talk to an attorney about your options.

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
No

How do I qualify for this status?
You came from another country and U.S. does not know you are here

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
No

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
No

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
No

Unaccompanied Child

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
Yes, you have this status if you went into a shelter for children when you entered the U.S.

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
No, and if you want to apply for a status that can lead to becoming a citizen talk to an attorney about your options.

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
No

How do I qualify for this status?
If you came to the U.S. without a parent

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Sometimes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
No

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
No

Special Immigrant Juvenile

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
No

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
Yes

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
Sometimes

How do I qualify for this status?
You may be eligible if you have been abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent or legal guardian. Talk to an immigration attorney about your options

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Sometimes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
Yes

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
Siblings, no parents

Temporary Protected Status

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
No, you have to apply for this status, talk to an attorney

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
No, and if you want to apply for a status that can lead to becoming a citizen talk to an attorney about your options

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
No

How do I qualify for this status?
For citizens of the following countries due to war, government corruption, or natural disaster (add countries) must be renewed every 18 months

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Yes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
No

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
No, every person needs their own

U Visa

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
No, you have to apply for this status, talk to an attorney

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
Yes

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
Yes

How do I qualify for this status?
If you have ever been the victim of a crime and spoken to the police about it or are willing to do so

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Yes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
Yes

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
Yes, spouse and children, or parent if you are under 21

T Visa

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
No, you have to apply for this status, talk to an attorney

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
Yes

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
Yes

How do I qualify for this status?
You were told you must work to pay off a debt, or have had any sexual contact with an adult, you may be a victim of human trafficking and qualify for a T visa. Talk to an attorney about your options.

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Yes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
No

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
Yes, spouse, parents, children, unmarried siblings under 18

VAWA

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
No, you have to apply for this status, talk to an attorney

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
Yes

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
Yes

How do I qualify for this status?
If you were hurt by a parent or legal guardian and that person is either a citizen or has a green card

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Yes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
Yes

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
No

Asylee

Asylee (Asylum granted)

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
No, you have to apply for this status, talk to an attorney

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
Yes

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
Sometimes

How do I qualify for this status?
You have showed you are afraid to return to your home country because you have been harmed or could be harmed if you go back

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Yes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
Yes

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
Yes, Spouse, children

Family-Based

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
No, you have to apply for this status, talk to an attorney

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
Yes

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
No

How do I qualify for this status?
If you have a parent, grandparent or sibling who is a US citizen or has a green card, they may be able to help you apply for a green card. Talk to an attorney about your options.

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Yes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
Yes

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
Generally no, each person is separate

Parolee

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
Yes, you would have a stamp in your passport or in an immigration document. The stamp will usually say "212D5" but sometimes says something different. There will also be an end date because this is a temporary status.

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
No, and if you want to apply for a status that can lead to becoming a citizen talk to an attorney about your options.

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
No

How do I qualify for this status?
You entered the United States for a certain reason and are allowed to stay for a limited amount of time. Talk to an attorney about your options if you want to stay longer than your Parolee status is approved for.

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Yes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
No

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
No

Asylum Seeker

Do I have this status after I enter the United States?
Yes, but you need to apply for asylum generally within one year of arriving in the United States

Is this a status that can lead to citizenship?
Yes, if your asylum is approved, then being an asylee can lead to citizenship

Is this a status I can get based on being a victim of violence?
Sometimes

How do I qualify for this status?
You must show you are afraid to return to your home country because you have been harmed or could be harmed if you go back, you must generally file an application for this within 1 year of coming to the United States. If your application is approved your status changes to asylee.

Can I get a permit to work, government ID, and/or SSN?
Yes

Is this a path to getting a Green Card?
No

Can my family member get immigration status through my status?
Yes, spouse and children

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Types of Statuses

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