These are the practical habits we most often wish clients had started earlier. None of them replace legal advice for your specific case, but all of them make you more protected while you figure out what that advice should be.

  1. Carry proof of your status. Keep a copy of your relevant immigration documents with you, and keep the originals somewhere safe at home.
  2. Know your rights during any encounter with law enforcement. You generally have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney before answering questions about your immigration status.
  3. Never sign a document you do not understand. This applies especially to anything presented during an ICE encounter or a court appearance. If you cannot read it or do not understand what you are agreeing to, say so.
  4. Update your address with USCIS. Federal law requires most noncitizens to report an address change within 10 days using Form AR-11. Missed notices due to an outdated address can cause serious problems.
  5. Avoid notarios and unlicensed "consultants." In the U.S., a notario public is not the same as a licensed attorney, despite what the title suggests in some countries. Only a licensed attorney or a fully accredited representative can properly represent you.
  6. Keep copies of everything you file. Every application, receipt notice, and piece of correspondence with USCIS or the immigration court should be kept together and backed up.
  7. Meet every deadline. Immigration deadlines are often strict and unforgiving. A missed filing window can close off options that were otherwise available to you.
  8. Think carefully before international travel with a pending case. Leaving the U.S. while certain applications are pending can be treated as abandoning them. Always confirm travel is safe for your specific case before booking anything.
  9. Be cautious on social media. Public posts can become part of the record in an immigration case, for better or worse. When in doubt, assume anything public could be reviewed.
  10. Talk to an attorney before a problem becomes urgent. The earlier we see a case, the more options are usually available. Waiting until a deadline is days away limits what can be done.
Most of what protects you in an immigration case happens well before anything goes wrong.

This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case depends on its specific facts. Contact Murph & Tchamda LLP to discuss your situation with a licensed attorney before taking any action.