
President Biden took office on January 20, 2021 with an affirmed intent to have an immigration reform. We do not know how and when it would pass, nor the list of documents immigration will request. Nonetheless, our experience as immigration attorneys led us to prepare a few tips to have you ready:
- Gather your original civil documents; Make sure to have the original birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates.
- Renew your passport; Have a valid passport with you as it may be your only form of ID.
- Have a copy of your I-94; The I-94 is the prove that you were inspected or paroled when you entered the US. Visit https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home to retrieve your copy.
- Gather your tax return documentation; Request tax transcripts from IRS on https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
- Collect documents evidencing you were present in the country prior to January 1, 2021. Example: school transcripts, paystub, hospital records.
- Have all your criminal records including police arrest and case disposition, even if sponged.
- Start saving money; There may be a small window to act if and when the reform passes, thus it is important to be prepared for it financially.