Immigration Legal Guides
Green cards, asylum, naturalization, deportation defense, and U-visas for crime victims. 16 topics, all 50 states and DC.
Applying for Asylum
Asylum is governed by federal law but cases are heard in the immigration court closest to where the applicant lives. Memphis Immigration Court (TN) hears most cases for Alabama residents.
All 51 jurisdictions →Cancellation of Removal
District of Columbia immigrants in removal proceedings may qualify for cancellation of removal — relief that allows long-term residents (LPRs and certain non-LPRs) to avoid deportation and obtain green cards.
All 51 jurisdictions →U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization
Naturalization is governed by federal immigration law. Wyoming applicants attend interviews at the local USCIS field office. Casper Field Office.
All 51 jurisdictions →DACA + Dreamers
Arkansas DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) provides 2-year deferred action + work authorization for eligible Dreamers — but program faces ongoing legal challenges + limited to current recipients (no new applicants since 2021).
All 51 jurisdictions →Deportation Defense
Deportation ("removal") proceedings are governed by federal law, but the immigration court that hears your case is determined by where you live or are detained. Baltimore ERO Field Office.
All 51 jurisdictions →EB-5 Investor Visa
Oregon EB-5 investor visa requires $1.05M (or $800K in TEA) investment creating 10 full-time U.S. jobs — direct investment or through Regional Center. Reauthorized in 2022 with new integrity rules.
All 51 jurisdictions →Employment-Based Green Cards
District of Columbia employment-based green cards (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) require employer sponsorship via PERM labor certification + immigrant petition + adjustment of status — country-specific backlogs significant.
All 51 jurisdictions →F-1 Student Visa
Tennessee F-1 international students must maintain full-time enrollment, limit work to specific exceptions (CPT/OPT), keep I-20 valid, and apply for OPT before graduation for legal work authorization.
All 51 jurisdictions →Green Card Process
Green-card (lawful permanent resident) processing is governed by federal immigration law, but applicants in New York are interviewed at the local USCIS Field Office. New York City, Long Island, Buffalo, Albany, and Queens Field Offices.
All 51 jurisdictions →H-1B Specialty-Occupation Visa
Maine employers + foreign workers use H-1B visas for specialty occupations — capped at 85,000/year, lottery-allocated, valid 3+3 years, with path to green card via PERM.
All 51 jurisdictions →K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
District of Columbia K-1 fiancé(e) visa allows foreign fiancé to enter US for 90 days to marry US citizen — must marry within 90 days, then apply for adjustment of status to green card.
All 51 jurisdictions →Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Arkansas immigrants from designated countries can apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — temporary protection from removal + work authorization, but program subject to ongoing political + legal challenges.
All 51 jurisdictions →T-Visa for Trafficking Victims
New Jersey human-trafficking victims may qualify for the T-visa — federal immigration relief that allows victims to remain in the U.S., work, and eventually become permanent residents.
All 51 jurisdictions →U-Visa for Crime Victims
Michigan crime victims who are non-citizens may qualify for a U-visa — federal immigration status for victims of qualifying crimes who help law enforcement.
All 51 jurisdictions →VAWA Self-Petition
Washington immigrants who are abused spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens / LPRs may self-petition for immigration status under VAWA without abuser's involvement.
All 51 jurisdictions →Withholding of Removal
Indiana immigrants ineligible for asylum may qualify for withholding of removal — protection from deportation to specific country, but no path to permanent residency or family petitions.
All 51 jurisdictions →These guides are for general information only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change and outcomes depend on your specific situation — talk to a licensed attorney before acting on anything you read here.