Naturalization/Citizenship
Ask for a Fee Waiver if you can't afford filing fees
In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a “fee waiver” in order to file for free. With a fee waiver, you also may not have to pay for certified copies, sheriff's service of process fees, or other costs related to starting a case, such as the cost for a court reporter to be at your trial.
Avoiding Fraud by Immigration Consultants
If you're looking for help with an immigration issue and want to hire an immigration consultant rather than an attorney, it's important to understand what an immigration consultant can and cannot do for you. This resource includes a few tips to avoid fraud.
Citizenship Removal: What You Need to Know
Only a very small percentage of naturalized U.S. citizens are at risk of being targeted for denaturalization. But in the unlikely event you are targeted, it’s important to know how to protect your rights and freedoms. That’s why the Asian Law Caucus is sharing this guidance.
Drivers' Licenses, Voting, and Immigrants - Addressing Common Misunderstandings
Addressing common misperceptions when it comes to noncitizens, access to driver’s licenses, and the ability to vote.
Find an Immigration Lawyer
Protect yourself and your family. Get immigration advice from a licensed professional.
Have You Been a Victim of Nonattorney or Notario Fraud?
If someone gives legal advice without a license, that is called the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). In California, only attorneys can give legal advice. If an attorney loses their license to practice, but continues to take and advise clients, that is also considered the unauthorized practice of law.
Immigration Rights Resources
General hub with immigration rights info. (e.g. DACA, workers rights, healthcare, asylum, etc.)
Legal Resources for Immigrants
If you are seeking legal assistance for citizenship or immigration status, this pamphlet can serve as a starting point to find the legal services you need.
Look Up Information About an Immigration Case With an A-Number
You can find your A-Number and Department of State (DOS) Case ID on your immigrant data summary, USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, or immigrant visa stamp. Your A-Number is identified as the Registration Number on your visa stamp. If your A-Number is fewer than 9 digits, insert a zero after the “A”
Naturalization: Exceptions & Accommodations
Exceptions, accommodations, modifications to requirements.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJ)
The purpose of the SIJ program is to help foreign children in the United States who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. If you are in the United States and need the protection of a juvenile court because you have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, you may be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification. If SIJ classification is granted, you may qualify for lawful permanent residency (also known as getting a Green Card).
Appeals and Motions: Questions and Answers
You may file an appeal on some unfavorable decisions to the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Immigration Rights Resources
General hub with immigration rights info. (e.g. DACA, workers rights, healthcare, asylum, etc.)
Federal Court Scams - Watch Out!
This resource describes common scams to watch out for. Malicious phone calls and emails targeting people and others who interact with the federal courts, instructing them to take action, may lead to people being scammed out of money or personal information.
An Immigration Filing Fee Waiver
Recognizing that some applicants cannot pay the filing fees, USCIS established a fee waiver process for certain forms and benefit types.
Find USCIS Field Offices Near You
Field Offices handle scheduled interviews on non-asylum related applications.
Immigration LawHelp: Find Legal Assistance with Your Immigration Case Near You
This interactive map and search engine that will help you find legal assistance near you.
Immigration Legal Service Providers
List of immigration LS in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.
An Immigration Filing Fee Waiver
Recognizing that some applicants cannot pay the filing fees, USCIS established a fee waiver process for certain forms and benefit types.
Appeals and Motions: Questions and Answers
You may file an appeal on some unfavorable decisions to the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Ask for a Fee Waiver if you can't afford filing fees
In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a “fee waiver” in order to file for free. With a fee waiver, you also may not have to pay for certified copies, sheriff's service of process fees, or other costs related to starting a case, such as the cost for a court reporter to be at your trial.
Avoiding Fraud by Immigration Consultants
If you're looking for help with an immigration issue and want to hire an immigration consultant rather than an attorney, it's important to understand what an immigration consultant can and cannot do for you. This resource includes a few tips to avoid fraud.
Check Your Immigration Case Status Service Online
Use your application receipt number to check your case status online.
Citizenship Removal: What You Need to Know
Only a very small percentage of naturalized U.S. citizens are at risk of being targeted for denaturalization. But in the unlikely event you are targeted, it’s important to know how to protect your rights and freedoms. That’s why the Asian Law Caucus is sharing this guidance.
Drivers' Licenses, Voting, and Immigrants - Addressing Common Misunderstandings
Addressing common misperceptions when it comes to noncitizens, access to driver’s licenses, and the ability to vote.
English Vocabulary for the Naturalization Test
Easy-to-use flash cards and vocabulary lists.
Federal Court Scams - Watch Out!
This resource describes common scams to watch out for. Malicious phone calls and emails targeting people and others who interact with the federal courts, instructing them to take action, may lead to people being scammed out of money or personal information.
File Immigration Papers Online
By filing online you can submit and view certain benefit requests, receive electronic notification of decisions, and receive real-time case status updates.
Find an Immigration Lawyer
Protect yourself and your family. Get immigration advice from a licensed professional.
Find USCIS Field Offices Near You
Field Offices handle scheduled interviews on non-asylum related applications.
Find What an Immigration-Related Word Means Here
You can use this dictionary to quickly look up a definition or explanation for a topic.
Have You Been a Victim of Nonattorney or Notario Fraud?
If someone gives legal advice without a license, that is called the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). In California, only attorneys can give legal advice. If an attorney loses their license to practice, but continues to take and advise clients, that is also considered the unauthorized practice of law.
Immigration LawHelp: Find Legal Assistance with Your Immigration Case Near You
This interactive map and search engine that will help you find legal assistance near you.
ImmigrationLawHelp.org
ImmigrationLawHelp.org is a searchable online directory of over 1,000 free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal services providers in all 50 states. Users can search ImmigrationLawHelp.org by state, zip code, or detention facility. Users can also refine their search by types and areas of legal assistance provided, populations served, languages spoken, other areas of legal assistance, and non-legal services provided.
Immigration Rights Resources
General hub with immigration rights info. (e.g. DACA, workers rights, healthcare, asylum, etc.)
Legal Resources for Immigrants
If you are seeking legal assistance for citizenship or immigration status, this pamphlet can serve as a starting point to find the legal services you need.
Look Up Information About an Immigration Case With an A-Number
You can find your A-Number and Department of State (DOS) Case ID on your immigrant data summary, USCIS Immigrant Fee handout, or immigrant visa stamp. Your A-Number is identified as the Registration Number on your visa stamp. If your A-Number is fewer than 9 digits, insert a zero after the “A”
Naturalization: Exceptions & Accommodations
Exceptions, accommodations, modifications to requirements.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJ)
The purpose of the SIJ program is to help foreign children in the United States who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. If you are in the United States and need the protection of a juvenile court because you have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, you may be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification. If SIJ classification is granted, you may qualify for lawful permanent residency (also known as getting a Green Card).
10 Steps to Naturalization
Information on the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship, an overview of the naturalization process, and eligibility requirements.
Study Materials for the Civics Test
During the naturalization interview, applicants will be asked questions from the list. Check out the study materials here. There are new questions as of October, 2025.
Sus Derechos
Provides immigrant communities in the tri-county region of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz with reliable and up-to-date information about their rights in this country. Resources include connections to legal assistance, practical guides, and answers to common questions to help you and your families navigate everything from education and work to accessing essential services.
Tips for Filing Forms with USCIS
Form fees, eligibility requirements, fee waiver eligibility, required documents, and mailing addresses vary depending on the form you are filing and why you are filing.