Gulf Coast Immigration Information Center

Haga clic aquí para ver esta página en español.

This page contains information for those seeking to represent themselves in their cases and/or lawyers seeking to represent clients in immigration cases.

• Provisional Custody by Mandate Court Forms for Louisiana: A legal tool that people can use to temporarily transfer custody / decision-making authority for their children to another person in case of an emergency (for example, detention or deportation).

• "How to defend your own case/Como defender su propio caso" (The Florence Project - Español + English): This webpage provides a collection of materials designed to help you represent yourself in United States Immigration Court. The page covers removal proceedings, how to pay bond, how to request release from custody, and other topics for immigrants who are facing the threat of deportation.  

• "Immigration Justice" (American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Immigration Council, and American Bar Association - English): This site is a portal to coordinate the efforts of volunteer lawyers helping immigrants in response to President Trump’s Executive Orders altering our immigration system. It includes several procedural guides as well as forms and templates. It also includes information on the basics of legal research. 

• "Immigration Bond: How to Get Your Client's Money Back" (Maryland State Bar Association - English): A "how-to" on getting your money back after paying an immigration bond.

• "Immi" (Immigrant Advocates Network and ProBono.Net - Español + English): The page provides information on immigration law, developments related to immigration law, and a tool to help individuals better understand their legal options.

Am I eligible for a visa?

Before entering the country, noncitizens typically must first obtain a visa from the United States. The visa is usually placed in the traveler’s passport. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel.

The United States Department of State maintains a directory of visa types at travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/all-visa-categories.html.

For information about a pending visa application, applying for citizenship, and other frequently asked questions, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.