I am a us citizen planning a road trip with a dreamer. How can I protect them?: We’re traveling from AZ to CO by way of NM. I’m afraid of ICE or BP doing something illegal and violent. I’m looking to protect my friend.
Alicia’s answer: Thank you for looking out for your friend who has DACA and considering the risk to them. To be honest, the only protection is to not travel. Immigration officers have arrested DACA recipients at checkpoints, in airports for domestic flights, and during traffic stops.
When is the earliest she can apply for U.S. citizenship?: My mom was granted asylum in November 2019 and received her Green Card on May 28, 2021. When is the earliest she can apply for U.S. citizenship?
Alicia’s answer:
Refugees and asylees may apply for naturalization 5 years after the date of their admission to lawful permanent residence. Asylees are admitted to lawful permanent resident status as of the date 1 year before the approval of their Form I-485. Upon the approval of their Form I-485, refugees are admitted to lawful permanent residence as of the date of their arrival in the United States.
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/docum...
Question about AOS?:
Hello, I’ll be going to a lawyer to do my AOS paper work this Friday. My wife and I would do it on our own but when we crossed the border with my mother I was five and we were caught twice. I don’t know if I was fingerprinted twice or not. I did request a foia about a month ago but read that takes about 6 month. Should I wait to hear back or start the paperwork? I was paroled early this week with AP (daca).
Alicia’s answer: I do not recommend filing anything with immigration until you can verify your eligibility. While traveling internationally with DACA advanced parole will give you a legal entry needed to adjust status, it does not cure prior immigration violations that may make you ineligible (even if they occurred as a minor. Entries, removals, and unlawful presence for minors do count and can make you ineligible. I recommend waiting on the FOIA results and reviewing those with an attorney and ensuring the proper FOIA requests were submitted to get accurate results.