US – 10 Things every undocumented youth should know

If you do not have legal immigration status in the United States, you are at risk. Keep these points in mind:

1. If approached by immigration authorities, do not sign any papers and do not talk to them unless you check with a lawyer first.
2. Stay out of trouble with the law. In most, if not all places, police and other law enforcement will share your fingerprints with immigration authorities. In some places, police may even hand your name or other personal information over to immigration authorities. If you commit a crime, it will make it harder to get legal status in the future.
3. If you are charged with a crime, make sure your lawyer (whether private or a public defender) knows your immigration status. Your lawyer is required under the Constitution to inform you of the way your criminal case will affect your immigration case. Letting them know your immigration status will allow them to best help you.
4. Don’t cross the border. Once you leave the country, you can’t legally re‐enter the U.S.
5. If you are working illegally, you should still pay taxes. This will improve your chances of getting legal papers in the future.
6. If you’re male, register for the “Selective Service” when you turn 18. The immigration authorities will NOT see your information. Like paying taxes, this will make it easier to get legal papers in the future.
7. If at all possible, try to become a legal resident. See the section entitled “How to get a green card.”
8. Having a child will not help you become legal. A child can only help his or her parent get a green card if the child is over 21 years old. (Although having a child may help someone qualify for DAPA, DAPA is not a green card, and it is only for people who had U.S. citizen children on or before November 20, 2014. See section entitled “Deferred Action for Parental Accountability”).
9. Do not lie (to a person or on a form) and say you are a U.S. citizen when you are not. A false claim to citizenship is taken seriously by the government and could hurt your chances of ever getting a green card or get you deported.
10. Do not lie about your age. People under 18 are entitled to certain protections in immigration law, and if you are under 18, you should say so.