Immigration advocates around the country are extremely hopeful that a path to citizenship will be available soon. Once the immigration reform bill passes, undocumented immigrants will be able to walk the path to full U.S. citizenship through the Registered Provisional Immigrant program.

We cannot stress enough that the Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) status does not currently exist and therefore no one can apply for it. Do not trust anyone who tells you there is a new path to citizenship available right now for undocumented immigrants.

As it is presented in the Senate’s immigration reform bill, RPI status can only be obtained through what will most likely be a long, complicated application. DREAMers will be at the front of the line, though they will still have many steps to complete when applying. All undocumented immigrants should be aware that when immigration reform passes, millions of people will be applying at once for RPI status. Preparing yourself for immigration reform will ensure that your application process will go much more quickly and easily, and possibly put you ahead of others who did not take the time to plan ahead. Remember the fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper, “prepare yourself and don’t be stuck out in the cold when comprehensive immigration reform passes!"

What Steps Should I Be Taking to Prepare Myself for Immigration Reform?

Apply for Deferred Action (DACA) if You are Eligible.

In the immigration bill, a prior DACA approval automatically qualifies you for Registered Provisional Immigrant status. If you are granted DACA approval, many fees will be waived and you will have much less paperwork to submit. Read more about how DACA can help you when reform passes on our blog. See if you qualify for DACA and/or start your application on our website.

Gather Proof of Your Continuous Residence in the U.S.

This will most likely be very similar to what DACA applicants are already doing. Utility bills, phone bills, subscriptions, bank statements, receipts, tax records, school records, personal mail, and even Facebook check-ins and speeding tickets can be used to show your continuous presence.

Don’t Leave the United States While You Wait for Reform.

The risk is not worth it. Any issues reentering the country or inability to demonstrate continuous physical presence could jeopardize your RPI status approval.

Gather Original Copies of Your Personal Documents, Especially Those from Your Country of Origin.

You may not have a valid birth certificate on hand, and this will be essential. If you need a new copy from your country of origin, keep in mind this could take a long time for them to process, especially if your consulate is backed up with requests and isn’t used to processing document requests promptly.

Gather Evidence of Your Good Behavior in the U.S.

This will cover your entire time in the U.S., so remember to remain on good behavior if you haven’t had any issues yet. Any felonies or significant misdemeanors you commit will most likely disqualify you from applying for RPI status.

Obtain a Copy of Your Personal Immigration File (Form G-639) from USCIS.

It’s important to know what the government has on file for you before you apply for RPI status. For those with immigration infractions or other immigration activity on their record, this will be especially important. If you are afraid of submitting personal info to the government, you may want to speak with an immigration lawyer to see how they can safely obtain this information for you.

Start Saving Money for your Application Fees and Fines.

Whether you are a DREAMer or not, all paths to citizenship will require a good deal of money. Some of these fees will be non-negotiable, and you won’t want a few hundred dollars to hold you back from living your life as a legal immigrant. Applying for RPI status will require payment of a $500 penalty, and then another $500 fine when you apply for renewal. After 5-13 years, if an RPI resident wants to apply for Permanent Residence (Green Card,) there is another $1000 fee. This amount doesn’t include application fees (which won’t be decided by DHS until reform passes) and back taxes you may have to pay. Even if you can only save a small amount each month, something is always better than nothing.