Guides & Resources
In-depth, attorney-written walkthroughs of the immigration questions our clients ask most. Forms, timelines, costs, and decisions, explained in plain English.
Last Updated: May 2026
Most of what determines an immigration case is invisible to the outside world: which form to file, in what order, with which evidence, by which deadline. The guides below try to make those decisions visible. Each one is written by an immigration attorney, reviewed for accuracy, and updated when USCIS or the courts change the rules.
Use them as a starting point. They will give you the right vocabulary, a realistic sense of timelines, and a clear view of the pitfalls, but no guide can substitute for a conversation about your specific facts. When you are ready for that conversation, we are here.
Free resources from our attorneys
Two attorney-written resources you can use right now. No cost, no obligation, instant access.
What to Do If ICE Detains You
Know your legal rights, your options for release, and the steps to protect your status.
Get instant access →How to Protect Your Immigration Case
Learn the 3-step Legal Peace Framework our attorneys use to help families get approvals.
Watch the training →Family Petition Guides
Sponsoring a spouse, fiancé, parent, or child, the forms, fees, timelines, and choices unique to family-based immigration.
Form I-130 Step-by-Step Filing Guide
Complete 2026 walkthrough of Form I-130 from eligibility to approval.
Read guide →K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Timeline
Realistic 12-18 month K-1 process, fees, 90-day rule, K-1 vs CR-1.
Read guide →I-485 vs Consular Processing
Adjustment of Status vs consular processing, which to choose.
Read guide →Marriage Green Card Interview Preparation
What to bring, what officers ask, Stokes red flags, document checklist.
Read guide →Asylum Guides
Filing for asylum, preparing for interviews, and navigating the deadlines and exceptions that decide eligibility.
Asylum Interview Preparation
What to bring, how interviews run, and common pitfalls.
Read guide →Asylum 1-Year Filing Deadline
The 1-year bar, the two exceptions, and what to do if you missed it.
Read guide →Credible Fear Interview
Prepare for the first-step border interview at detention.
Read guide →Defensive vs Affirmative Asylum
USCIS interview vs court hearing, EAD clock, appeals.
Read guide →Naturalization Guides
Becoming a U.S. citizen, the N-400 application, civics test, interview, and fee waivers that make it possible.
N-400 Civics Test 2026 Questions
All 100 USCIS civics questions and 2026 current answers.
Read guide →N-400 Interview Preparation
Documents to bring, English + civics tests, GMC traps.
Read guide →N-400 Fee Waiver Eligibility
Three eligibility pathways: means-tested, income, or hardship.
Read guide →Investor Visa Guides
EB-5 and E-2 investor pathways, minimum capital, job creation, source of funds, and the trade-offs between them.
EB-5 Minimum Investment 2026
$800K (TEA) vs $1.05M, job creation, source of funds.
Read guide →E-2 vs EB-5 Decision Guide
Treaty visa vs immigrant petition, which is right?
Read guide →TEA Targeted Employment Area Explained
Rural vs high-unemployment TEA, set-asides, $800K threshold.
Read guide →EB-5 Regional Centers 2026
How to evaluate, RIA changes, integrity measures, exemplar approval.
Read guide →EB-5 Source of Funds Documentation
Lawful source, path of funds, country-specific remittance rules.
Read guide →E-2 Treaty Trader Country List
Complete 80-country list, CBI pathway for non-treaty nationals.
Read guide →VAWA Guides
Confidential self-petitions for abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Waiver Guides
Forgiving the 3-year and 10-year bars on reentry through the provisional unlawful presence waiver process.
Labor Certification (PERM) Guides
PERM is the Department of Labor step every EB-2 and EB-3 employer-sponsored green card runs through. These guides cover the process and wage strategy.
PERM Process Step-by-Step
The four-phase PERM workflow for 2026: PWD, recruitment, ETA-9089, audit.
Read guide →PERM Prevailing Wage Determination
ETA-9141, the four wage levels, the five-factor test, redetermination.
Read guide →PERM Audit Response
30-day deadline, recruitment file, business necessity, supervised recruitment.
Read guide →Employment Visa Guides
Temporary work visas for professionals, executives, and specialty workers, the rules, cap, fees, and renewal limits.
U & T Visa Guides
Protections for immigrant survivors of qualifying crimes and human trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement.
Resources & Decision Guides
Choosing the right attorney, understanding fees honestly, and knowing when DIY is safe, and when it is not.
How to Choose an Immigration Attorney
What to ask, what to look for, red flags to avoid.
Read guide →Immigration Attorney Cost Guide
Honest immigration attorney fee ranges by case type.
Read guide →DIY Immigration vs Hiring an Attorney
When you can file alone and when you absolutely shouldn’t.
Read guide →Immigration Attorney vs Notario Warning
Why a notario is NOT an attorney, and the risks.
Read guide →Local Hubs
Local immigration help in the metros where Claxton Law serves clients in person and by video.
Orlando Immigration Attorney
Immigration attorney serving the Orlando metro.
Read guide →Kissimmee Immigration Attorney
Immigration attorney for Osceola County: Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Celebration, Poinciana, BVL.
Read guide →Tampa Immigration Attorney
Immigration attorney for Tampa Bay: Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, Brandon. Cuban Adjustment Act, USF medical residents.
Read guide →Utah Immigration Attorney
Immigration attorney serving Salt Lake City and Utah.
Read guide →Immigration Glossary
Plain-English definitions of the forms, agencies, and acronyms that run the U.S. immigration system.
Browse Full Glossary (54+ terms)
54+ plain-English definitions of USCIS forms and immigration law terms.
Read guide →Form I-130
Petition for Alien Relative, establishes the qualifying family relationship.
Read guide →Form I-485
Adjustment of Status, becoming an LPR from inside the U.S.
Read guide →Form I-601A
Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, forgives the 3 or 10-year bar.
Read guide →Form I-864
Affidavit of Support, legally enforceable sponsor contract.
Read guide →Form G-28
Attorney Notice of Entry of Appearance before USCIS, ICE, or EOIR.
Read guide →EOIR
Executive Office for Immigration Review, runs the immigration courts.
Read guide →USCIS Processing Times 2026
Current 2026 processing time ranges, by form.
Read guide →Need personalized help?
Guides can take you a long way, but every case has facts that a guide cannot anticipate. Our team has handled thousands of immigration matters and can review your situation directly.