The Roads Not (Yet) Taken: Supporting Access to Immigration Protection and Citizenship

Publication date: 
October 2016

A successful application for immigration protection or citizenship can be transformative—financially and psychologically—for immigrants and their families. Access to specific immigration remedies can free individuals from workplace exploitation and the constant threat of deportation and family separation, while also raising wages and expanding career options. Yet the complexity of U.S. immigration law and limited access to affordable, qualified legal service providers are formidable obstacles to those seeking information and services. This document outlines the barriers eligible immigrants face in obtaining legal services, the importance of those services, and the possible forms of immigration protection.