Immigration law is one of the most complicated areas of law and a confusing system for many people. Learn about U.S. immigration rules on green cards, visas, and citizenship, including eligibility, sponsorship, interviews, and exams here.
Immigration Law Updates in 2024
Updates to the material found in Nolo's books on immigration law.
Am I Eligible for a Green Card?
Categories of people who qualify for U.S. lawful permanent residence.
Am I Eligible for Asylum or Refugee Status?
What qualifies as persecution, and which groups of people the U.S. offers protection to.
Types of U.S. Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Visas: Who Qualifies?
Nonimmigrant visas, such as tourist and student visas, permit you to enter the U.S. for a short time.
Green Cards for Your Family: Sponsorship Rules
Overview of who you can help to immigrate, and how long it will take.
A crime on one's record can block eligibility for a visa or U.S. lawful permanent residence. Learn the details here.
Common Crimes Making Visa or Green Card Holders Deportable: Theft, Burglary, Assault
Even a lawful permanent resident can be removed from the U.S. for any of various criminal acts, depending on the crime's definition and severity.
How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship
Learn about the qualifications for U.S. citizenship and how to apply for it.
When Can I Apply for U.S. Citizenship?
Learn about the permanent residency rules and application process for naturalized citizenship.
What Will Happen at Your Master Calendar Hearing?
Step one in the procedures of defending a case in the U.S. immigration courts.
Possible Defenses to Deportation of an Undocumented Alien
If you are “undocumented” and are in “removal” proceedings, a few legal defenses are available.
Immigration Detention 101: Information for Detainees’ Family and Friends
The U.S. government is using detention with increasing frequency as a means of dealing with undocumented or otherwise removable immigrants after their arrest. What should you know if a friend or family member has been picked up and held by ICE?