In order to benefit you must have been born in a country that qualifies or “participate” under one that does. You must have finished 12 years of elementary, middle and high school education, or completed its equivalent. You must have worked for a period of at least two years of the previous five, in a position that requires two years of experience or training and also send an electronic picture. There is no need to send any evidence when filing the form; you will have to provide evidence only if you are selected.


The government will receive your application via internet starting October 4th, and until December 3rd, 2006. People born in the following countries do not qualify: Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, England, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, and Vietnam.


There are two exceptions to qualify if you are a citizen of the disqualified countries; you can qualify under your parent’s or spouse’s country. Once selected, you must show that your spouse was born in a qualifying country and that he or she will enter the United States with you as a resident; or that both of your parents were born and lived in a qualifying country when you were born.


Being deported for applying is a myth! Even though nobody can guarantee you that this won’t happen, take note that the Citizenship and Immigration Services has not deported illegal immigrants for having an adjustment to legal permanent residency case.


Millions of people started their cases before April 30, 2001, under Section 245(i) or after, and most remain undocumented, without an employment authorization card and have not been deported. As conclusion, don’t fear and participate!


Remember that there’s always much more to analyze before formulating a legal strategy.

 

INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRANTS FOUNDATION
33 years, Guiding, Legalizing, and Educating Immigrants since 1973
O.N.G. UNITED NATIONS E.C.O.S.O.C.
IMMIGRANTS BUILDING: 7 W. 44th St., New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 302-2222 – email: info@10.org

 

*Edward Juarez Studied sociology, International law, and specialized in immigration.  In 1973, established the International Immigrants Foundation, a non-profit institution created to educate, help, defend and legalize immigrants. In 1984, he established the American Multicultural Coalition and the International Cultures Celebration, conferences at the United Nations, and the Parade and Festival to promote intercultural relations.  With the goal of emphasizing the contributions of immigrants, Juarez established the "Immigrants Building" in 2003, located at 7 West 44^th Street in Manhattan, NYC, where the Foundation continues developing programs that improve the quality of life for immigrants. Currently, he is an active writer, speaker, immigration columnist, and host of The Immigrants Voice radio and television programs