Frequently Asked questions

On April 11th, 2025, the noncitizen registration requirement went into effect. Anyone 14 years old or older who entered the U.S. without permission and has had no contact with immigration authorities must now register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Before registering, community members should consult a trusted immigration lawyer to learn if they are required to register and how registering might impact them. 

Learn more about how to access legal services in Illinois.

If you’ve ever applied for an immigration status or benefit or been in deportation proceedings, you might already be considered to have registered, including: 

• Green card holders (lawful permanent residents) 

• People who were granted parole, including advance parole (even if that parole has expired) 

• People who came to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa (even if it has expired) 

• People who are already in immigration court (removal) proceedings 

• People granted employment authorization on any basis (even if it has expired) 

• Refugees 

• People who applied for lawful permanent residence (even if the application was denied) 

For undocumented immigrants, signing up could lead to detention, deportation, and possibly criminal prosecution. Government officials have said clearly that they plan to use the information they get from registration to find and arrest people, deport them, or pressure them to leave the United States on their own. There may also be consequences for people who are required to register but do not register, including fines and both criminal and immigration penalties. 

Learn more about the Registration Requirement.

In recent weeks, immigration enforcement efforts have increasingly targeted international and noncitizen students in higher education. Students and campus staff who wish to know more about student visas, changes in recent enforcement activity, student’s rights, and additional resources can reference the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration FAQ. 

No. The DACA program continues for renewals only. New applications are not being accepted, but current recipients can still renew. 

Read the NIJC DACA FAQ to learn more.

Schedule an appointment with TRP’s Legal Clinic to speak to a trusted legal representative about renewing your DACA.

There are many types of parole and some parole statuses may be impacted by recent Trump administration actions. On March 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice that it will terminate humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans on April 24, 2025 (though this development is currently blocked by a court order). DHS has also been notifying people who received parole through the CBP One process that their parole is ending.

During this time, if you have any questions or believe your status is in jeopardy, we recommend you register for a workshop where a legal representative will screen you for eligibility and advise you on your options.

Learn more about how to access legal services in Illinois.

TPS is a form of humanitarian relief for individuals from designated countries affected by conditions such as armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances. You must be a national of a country currently designated for TPS and meet specific criteria, including living in the U.S. for a certain period.

Learn more about TPS from Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project.

Read the NIJC TPS FAQ in English, Spanish, or Haitian Creole. 

For Venezuela:  As of March 31, 2025, the courts are requiring USCIS to respect the 2023 TPS designation of Venezuela. The status for TPS for Venezuela as of March 31, 2025, is as follows:  

• If you already have TPS and first applied before October 3, 2023, (under the 2021 designation), your TPS should be valid until September 10, 2025.  

• If you already have TPS and you first applied on or after October 3, 2023, (under the 2023 designation), your TPS should be valid until October 2, 2026.  

• If you have not yet applied for TPS and you have been in the U.S. since July 31, 2023, you may be eligible and should be able to apply by September 10, 2025. 

With the court decision pending, it is recommended you apply for TPS as soon as possible if you are eligible. If granted, your TPS would be valid until October 2, 2026.

For other country-specific TPS information and for the most up-to-date information, review the USCIS website.

You may also be eligible for other immigration relief. It’s important that you seek a legal screening with a trusted immigration representative to review your options.

Visit our Legal Assistance page to find out more.

On January 21, 2025, the Trump administration announced the expansion of expedited removal. Through expedited removal, Homeland Security can deport people without first providing them with an opportunity to defend themselves in immigration court. Under the expanded policy, expedited removal now applies to any noncitizen who has not been admitted or paroled into the United States and cannot show that they have been here for at least two years. 

If you have resided in the U.S. for MORE than two years: Carry documents with your name, location and date, such as a license or U.S.-issued ID, that prove you have been residing in the country for at least 2 years.  

ANYONE facing expedited removal who demonstrates fear of returning to their home country or says they want to apply for asylum, will be referred for an interview regarding their fear of return. 

Consult with an immigration attorney to review your options.

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Under federal law, immigration authorities can allow certain people to enter the U.S. without a visa and remain in the country temporarily.  The previous administration created parole programs for people fleeing Afghanistan (Operation Allies Welcome) and Ukraine (Uniting for Ukraine).  

The administration also created parole for people fleeing Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), and for people showing up at the border seeking asylum (CBP One).  These programs allowed people from these countries and people seeking asylum to get screened abroad or at the border and then enter the U.S. 

The current administration is attempting to end several of these parole programs and cancel parole previously granted for people under these programs.  

If you entered the U.S. through one of these programs, these changes could affect your legal status and your ability to work. Some people are getting letters or emails from the government telling them they must leave the country within a short period of time.  

Immigrant Justice organizations have gone to the courts to try to stop these parole programs from ending. But these cases will take time, so it's important to stay informed as things change.

If you receive a letter or email that says your parole will be terminated and you should leave the U.S., it’s important to seek legal advice before making any decisions.  

Even if you receive a letter or email from Homeland Security, getting expert advice first can help protect your future immigration options. You may wish to an immigration lawyer or a DOJ-accredited representative before doing anything. They can help you understand your rights and options, like applying for asylum or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This is especially important if you already applied for another immigration benefit or have a case in immigration court. Getting legal help can improve your chances of staying in or coming back to the U.S. legally. 

Learn more about how to access legal services in Illinois.

If you came to the U.S. through CBP One, you might get a letter saying your parole is ending in 7 days and instructing you to leave the country immediately or you will be subject to potential law enforcement. You are not required to leave the U.S. based on this notice.  Please consult with a trusted immigration lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative before making any decisions.   

If your parole ends, your work permit will also end, unless your work permit is based on something else, like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or asylum. If you applied for or received TPS, asylum, or another immigration benefit, those will not be affected if your parole expires.  

Learn more about how to access legal services in Illinois.

Notices sent to people who arrived through U4U were issued in error. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed these messages were sent by mistake and that the U4U program is still valid.  (CBS News, April 4, 2025) 

Homeland Security has announced that it is ending CHNV, and notified people who arrived through CHNV that they must leave by April 24, 2025. However, on April 14, 2025, a U.S. judge blocked this change. If you were granted parole under this program, your parole is still in effect until further court developments. You can sign up for updates on the lawsuit here. 

There have been reports of US Citizens and other non-parolees receiving an email from Homeland Security saying that their parole has been terminated. The Department of Homeland Security has acknowledged that some of these messages have been sent in error and that it will address issues on a case-by-case basis. 

Termination of your parole will also terminate your parole-based work authorization, even if your work permit has not yet expired. However, if you are eligible for work authorization based on another status, such as pending asylum or Temporary Protected Status (TPS), you may still be able to apply for a new work permit.  Consulting with an immigration attorney will help you understand your options.

Learn more about how to access legal services in Illinois.

Yes, if your parole is terminated, you may still be eligible to pursue asylum or other forms of immigration relief. If you have not yet submitted an application, it is critical to seek legal support to apply as soon as possible.  

The termination of your parole will not affect your immigration benefit applications, such as TPS or asylum, as long as you have applied for or received those benefits. You can continue with those applications even if your parole ends.

If you are arrested by ICE, remember that you have rights.  

• Remain Silent: You have the right to remain silent and not answer questions about your immigration status without an attorney present.  

• Request a call: You have the right to contact a lawyer, a family member, or a trusted contact. 

• Visit our Know Your Rights page for more information and fill out TRP’s Detained Loved One Form for assistance.

If you fear harm, persecution, or torture in your home country, tell the officers immediately and clearly.   

Get a Legal Consultation.

If you’re at risk of being placed in removal proceedings, an immigration lawyer or DOJ accredited representative can help you understand any options you may have to fight your case and stay in the U.S. For example, if you have been here for more than 10 years, you might be eligible for cancellation of removal based on hardship to certain U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident family members. 

On January 21, 2025, the Trump administration announced the expansion of expedited removal. Through expedited removal, Homeland Security can deport people without first providing them with an opportunity to defend themselves in immigration court. Under the expanded policy, expedited removal now applies to any noncitizen who has not been admitted or paroled into the United States and cannot show that they have been here for at least two years. 

If you have resided in the U.S. for MORE than two years: Carry documents with your name, location and date, such as a license or U.S.-issued ID, that prove you have been residing in the country for at least 2 years.  

ANYONE facing expedited removal who demonstrates fear of returning to their home country or says they want to apply for asylum, will be referred for an interview regarding their fear of return. 

Consult with an immigration attorney to review your options.