Immigration: USCIS GUIDE - Welcome to the United States: A Guide to New Immigrants
The first thing any new immigrant should do when the permanent residency status (LPR) is obtained is to read the Book written by USCIS titled "Welcome to the United States: A Guide to New Immigrants". The USCIS has published this guide in 14 languages to enable immigrants to gain better understanding of the content to the guide. The 14 guides are printed in their respective languages on the USCIS site that is provided below.
The Guide is an essential tool that can be used by the immigrant to settle in as a permanent resident within the United States. It is divided into sections with both general information on each topic and locations where the immigrant can go to find more detailed assistance.
The first major section is titled "Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Permanent Resident." The section examines the primary rights given the permanent residents based on LPR status. It covers topics such as maintaining status, rules related to conditional residency, obtaining legal assistance, and the consequences of criminal actions.
The second section "Getting Settled in the United States" covers topics related to being able to live in the US. The basic needs of finding a place to live, getting a Social Security Number, taking care of money, obtaining employment, paying taxes, travel within the US, taking care of health, and securing Federal public benefits. For people who have lived in the US for many years how to achieve these needs may seem obvious, but to a person who grew up in a different culture, they may appear totally unfamiliar.
The third section "Education and Childcare" provides specific information on both the requirements for children to receive education and the facilities available to assist adults who wish to learn English, attend university or college, and receive secondary education. The section also examines the area of childcare that is often necessary when immigrants have to work or attend school.
The fourth section "Emergencies and Safety" examines the ability of an immigrant to be safe within their local environment through the use of 911 and techniques on keeping the home and family safe in the modern US society. The section also examines the broader safety provided by Homeland Security in times of emergency.
The fifth section is a lesson on the United States. In "Learning About the United States" immigrants receive a civics lesson on "The Role of Citizenship", a history lesson on the formation of the country, a political lesson on how government works including sections on the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches, and finally a lesson on state and local government. Tis section acts as a primer for the later study necessary to pass the naturalization test in order to qualify for Citizenship.
The sixth section "Becoming a US Citizen" provides both a review of the benefits and responsibilities of being a US Citizen and the naturalization process that is used under Federal Law to enable an immigration to become a US Citizen.
Overall, the Guide serves to educate the new immigrant, but it also can serve as a "go-to" resource when the immigrant has questions concerning living within the United States.