new york lawyer who is undocumented

by Mr. Carroll Abernathy 5 min read

In February of 2016, after battling for almost five years – during which he even filed a lawsuit to obtain his attorney's license to practice his profession after graduating college and passing the New York bar exam – Vargas obtained his license, becoming the first undocumented person to carry one in the state.

How do I advocate for illegal immigrants?

Reach out to organizations, community groups that can support undocumented and immigrant youth, or create a club that supports undocumented students. 14. Make your school/ classroom a safe haven for undocumented youth. Post a sign in your classroom that states that you support undocumented students and their dreams!

Can you work if you are undocumented?

If you are an undocumented migrant worker, you have employment right, no matter your citizenship status. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), it is illegal to discriminate against any worker, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.

What does it mean when a person is undocumented?

Legal immigrants are foreign-born people legally admitted to the U.S. Undocumented immigrants, also called illegal aliens, are foreign-born people who do not possess a valid visa or other immigration documentation, because they entered the U.S. without inspection, stayed longer than their temporary visa permitted, or ...

Can undocumented immigrants get Social Security number?

Generally, only noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can get an SSN. SSNs are used to report a person's wages to the government and to determine a person's eligibility for Social Security benefits.

What happens if you work illegally in the US?

Both workers without work permits and employers risk being fined a high amount of money. The number of fines increases for each infraction: $ 375 to $ 2000 for the first offense. $ 3,200 to $ 6,500 for a second offense for each illegal employee hired.

How many undocumented immigrants are in New York State?

Over half a million U.S. citizens in New York live with at least one family member who is undocumented. 725,000 undocumented immigrants comprised 15 percent of the immigrant population and 4 percent of the total state population in 2016.

Can a company legally refuse to hire an undocumented immigrant working in the United States?

Employers are required to refuse to hire, or terminate, an undocumented worker once they learn of her lack of work authorization. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) makes it illegal for employers to knowingly hire or continue to employ undocumented workers.

Can you adjust status if you entered illegally?

Foreigners who entered the U.S. illegally are ineligible to adjust status, even if they are married to a U.S. citizen. But foreigner spouses who did come into the U.S. lawfully (such as on a visa) should be eligible to adjust status.