Frequently Asked Questions About Legalizing Status in the U.S.
This page is for undocumented persons in the United States, including those who crossed the border without permission or stayed beyond the permitted time allowed under a visa or other status. We'll answer some common questions about whether it's possible to become legal.
What immigration programs currently offer opportunities for undocumented (illegal) immigrants.
The child of a U.S. citizen must turn 21 before petitioning for a foreign-born parent, and a parent who overstays a visa in the U.S. or is undocumented will need to overcome other legal and procedural hurdles.
A child born in the U.S. offers no quick or reliable way to get legal status here.
If foreigners are already in the United States illegally, why would they comply with their legal obligations to pay taxes?
ITINs can be useful for immigrants in the U.S. who lack Social Security Numbers, but are not without risk.
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