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The journey from South and Central America to Chicago was difficult and long for the thousands of migrants who have arrived over the last 16 months.

And now, many newcomers want a job but most can’t work legally.

The Biden administration has expanded programs that allow eligible migrants from Venezuela, which is where most Chicago newcomers are from, to work legally. Also covered are people from Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua. These programs include Temporary Protected Status, also known as TPS, which also protects people from deportation and humanitarian parole, a program for migrants escaping dictatorships and economic collapse. People from many other countries, including Colombia and Ecuador, are not eligible.

Local nonprofits have partnered with the government to help migrants in city shelters apply for work permits. But they estimate that of the about 14,000 migrants in shelters, only 27% are eligible. As of Jan. 24, more than 1,000 people have received work permits.

WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona-Maguigad spoke with Catherine Norquist, immigration legal services director at World Relief Chicagoland, about what migrants need to know as they get ready to navigate the work authorization process.

How do you qualify for a work permit?

There are two ways in which many migrants from Venezuela and a few other countries qualify for a work permit — through TPS, a program that protects people from deportation while allowing them to legally work in the U.S. Some migrants can also apply for work permits through humanitarian parole.

Eligibility depends on how and when migrants crossed the U.S-Mexico border and the type of immigration status they were given. Migrants given humanitarian parole for one to two years can apply for work permits. But those granted humanitarian parole for six months might not get their work permit on time. In recent weeks, these applications are being fast-tracked in Chicago and many people are getting their permits in six to seven weeks. But this could change anytime, Norquist said.

The TPS is only for migrants in the U. S. as of July 31, 2023. The TPS is usually granted for 18 months and it protects applicants from deportation while allowing them to work legally.

What documents and fees are required?

To apply for the TPS and a work permit, you need a passport or other forms of IDs and a list of the countries entered and exited on your way to the U.S. from when you left their home country with exact dates for each country. There are immigration forms that need to be filled out preferably with the help of a qualified attorney or accredited expert.

The TPS application cost is $545. The work permit under humanitarian parole is $410. Both fees can be waived by filing for an application along with a letter that explains the applicant’s living situation and inability to earn money. To qualify for TPS, migrants need to prove they were here by the requisite date, including travel records, cell phone or utility bills. There may be other required documents depending on each case.

What are some common mistakes migrants make?

Common mistakes include having incorrect or incomplete information, trusting the wrong people and not being truthful on the application forms. Applicants also need to be transparent about all arrests in their home country and in the U.S., Norquist said.

What are common challenges?

The U.S. immigration system is very complicated and many accredited free and low-cost organizations that offer immigration services are extremely busy. One of the greatest challenges for migrants living outside the shelters is finding organizations that can help with this process, especially migrants in the suburbs. Many recently arrived migrants can’t afford private attorneys.

People who can’t access free or low cost services are at risk of being exposed to scams, either by attorneys who don’t practice immigration law and notary services that aren’t accredited and don’t know how the law works. Experts recommend that before hiring an attorney, migrants should ask for proof of credentials. They also recommend that people ask for copies of all documents filed in their case.

Experts also warn migrants not to trust attorneys who over promise a path to residency or citizenship. It’s hard to jump from humanitarian parole to citizenship. There needs to be a path to legal permanent residency first. This path is often complicated depending on each individual case. Many migrants crossing the border are applying for asylum. A basic basis for asylum, Norquist said, is a well-founded fear of persecution (past, present or future) based on race, religion, national origin, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Not everyone who crosses the border and pleads for asylum is going to get it.

Where can I get help?

If you are staying at any of the city shelters and you qualify for work permits through humanitarian parole or TPS, ask a shelter case manager about the workshops to help with work permits, if you haven’t already been informed. Assistance is being scheduled through the shelters and migrants are being bused to a location in downtown Chicago, where multiple agencies help people with the application process. Federal immigration agents are also there to assist with this process, fingerprint applicants and sometimes issue decisions.

If you live outside of city shelters there are several free or low cost U.S. Department of Justice accredited organizations that can help. Many are at capacity, and there can be a wait. People can also pay a private immigration attorney to help. Migrants can go to the American Immigration Lawyers Association to check if an attorney is accredited, Norquist said.

Migrants who don’t qualify for work permits but applied for asylum at the border are often given a notice to appear in court in a city other than Chicago. Norquist said they should find legal assistance to help them file a change of venue.