{"id":1523,"date":"2022-10-20T14:46:45","date_gmt":"2022-10-20T14:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avadawebsites.wpengine.com\/business\/?p=1523"},"modified":"2026-09-27T07:20:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T07:20:18","slug":"new-to-the-united-states-your-first-90-days-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maitrosoft.com\/wpdev\/new-to-the-united-states-your-first-90-days-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"New to the United States? Your First 90 Days Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many immigrant families, especially those who are undocumented, building a life in the United States can feel confusing and stressful. You may not know which documents you need, what rights you have, where to go, or who you can trust for help. And when you\u2019re worried about making the wrong decision, it\u2019s easy to put important things off.<\/p>\n

The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect your family, organize your documents, access essential services, send your children to school, handle taxes, and build a more stable life. You don\u2019t need to know everything today you just need to know where to start and who to ask.<\/p>\n

This checklist is a practical starting point for immigrant families in New Jersey. It explains some of the important steps you can take and the professionals or organizations you may need to contact along the way.<\/p>\n<\/div>

1. Protect your documents today<\/h2><\/div>

Passport, birth certificates, marriage certificate, children’s records, and anything you were given at the border.<\/p>\n

Some border documents contain a court date. Missing that date can result in a removal order issued in your absence. If you received papers you don’t understand, get them in front of a licensed immigration attorney immediately. Not next month. Now.<\/p>\n

We’ll make certified copies and help you organize everything and connect you with an attorney.<\/p>\n<\/div>

2. Contact your country’s consulate<\/h2><\/div>

Get or renew your passport and consular ID. These are your foundation for everything else banking, licenses, school enrollment. Most consulates serving New Jersey residents are in New York City or Newark.<\/p>\n<\/div>

3. Enroll your children in school<\/h2><\/div>

This is a right, not a favor.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Under the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Plyler v. Doe, every child has the right to free K-12 public education regardless of immigration status. School districts cannot ask about your immigration status and cannot require a Social Security Number to enroll.<\/p>\n

Many families delay enrolling their children out of fear. Don’t. What the district will actually ask for:<\/p>\n