Immigration

No matter what your immigration status, as a noncitizen you could face a variety of unique challenges due to your criminal record. In this chapter, you will learn more about preparing to navigate through the reentry process in a way that can help protect you and your family from deportation and other immigration consequences.

DISCLAIMER – YOUR RESPONSIBILITY WHEN USING THIS GUIDE: When putting together the Roadmap to Reentry: A California Legal Guide, we did our best to give you useful and accurate information because we know that people who are currently or formerly incarcerated often have difficulty getting legal information, and we cannot provide specific advice to every person who requests it. The laws change frequently and are subject to differing interpretations. We do not always have the resources to make changes to this material every time the law changes. If you use information from the Roadmap to Reentry legal guide, it is your responsibility to make sure whether the law has changed and applies to your situation. If you are incarcerated, most of the materials you need should be available in your institution’s law library. The Roadmap to Reentry guide is not intending to give legal advice, but rather legal information. No attorney-client relationship is created by using any information in this guide. You should always consult your own attorney if you need legal advice specific to your situation.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THE IMMIGRATION CHAPTER?

    Important information about the relationship between having a criminal record and immigration concerns;Know your rights information for noncitizens on parole or probation;Information on accessing public benefits and education; Options for obtaining identification;How to create a family preparedness plan.
  1. INTRODUCTION

    1. Key terms in the immigration chapter

  2. IDENTIFICATION & KEY DOCUMENTS for NONCITIZENs & Undocumented People

    1. I am a noncitizen. What types of ID can I get?
    2. Social security numbers & cards for Noncitizens

    3. California driver licenses and ID cards for Noncitizens

    4. Traveling as a noncitizen

  3. parole & probation issues affecting noncitizens

    1. ICE detainers

    2. Noncitizens on State parole

    3. Noncitizens on Federal parole

  4. Housing issues affecting noncitizens

    1. I am undocumented. Can my landlord report me (or threaten to report me) to immigration authorities?
    2. What is an “ICE raid?”
    3. How can I prepare for an ICE raid?
  5. Public benefits for noncitizens

    1. Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

    2. Food stamps

    3. Healthcare

  6. Employment & Education issues affecting noncitizens in reentry

    1. Employment

    2. Education

  7. protecting your Family & children from immigration consequences

    1. What is a family preparedness plan?
    2. How do I create a family preparedness plan?
  8. Understanding & Reducing the Immigration Consequence of Criminal Records

    1. How much have deportations increased under President Trump?
    2. How have U.S. immigration policies changed under President Trump?
    3. What protections are available under California’s state laws and the local practices of “sanctuary” cities and counties in the state?
    4. Do I have any options if I pled “guilty” or “no contest” in a criminal case if I didn’t know the immigration consequences of that decision?
    5. Are there any other ways that I can clean up my record that might help me for immigration purposes?