It has been said that America is a nation of immigrants. This is true in that, throughout history, people from all over the world have come to our shores in search of a better life. But what does it mean to be an immigrant in America today?

For many people, it means living in constant fear of deportation. It means not being able to see your loved ones because you are not allowed to leave the country. It means working long hours for little pay and never knowing if you will be able to stay in the only place you have ever called home. If you are an undocumented immigrant, there are things you can do to get legal status. While it is difficult, it is not impossible. Here are seven things you can do:

1. Register With the Selective Service

All men between 18 and 25 are required to register with the Selective Service. This is a requirement for all men, regardless of immigration status. Registration is simple and can be done online or by mail. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number (or alien registration number), and mailing address. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail.

You will be required to serve if you are drafted into the military. However, being registered with the Selective Service does not mean you will automatically be deported if caught living in the United States illegally. The government has made it clear that they do not intend to deport undocumented immigrants serving in the military or registered with the Selective Service.

2. Get a Green Card Through Asylum or Refugee Status

Suppose you are fleeing persecution in your home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. In that case, you may be eligible for asylum or refugee status. You must be physically present in the United States to apply for asylum. You can apply for refugee status from your home country or a U.S. consulate or embassy.

You can also do medicals for immigration if from Canada. The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) requires that you have a medical exam as part of the application process for permanent residence. The designated expert immigration medical doctors will need to do the exam and then complete and submit a Medical Report Form to the IRCC. The medical exam is essential to ensure you are not inadmissible to Canada on health grounds.

3. Get a Green Card Through Family Sponsorship

If you have certain family members who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, they may be able to sponsor you for a green card. The most common sponsors are spouses, parents, and children over the age of 21. Other relatives such as brothers and sisters may sponsor you, but only if they meet specific income requirements.

To be sponsored by a family member, they must first file what is known as an “I-130 Petition for Alien Relative” with the USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Once the petition is approved, you will need to go through an interview process at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. If you are already living in the United States illegally, you may be able to adjust your status without having to leave the country.

4. Get a Green Card Through Employment Sponsorship

If you have a job offer from a U.S. employer, they may be able to sponsor you for a green card. The process is similar to family sponsorship in that the employer must first file an “I-130 Petition for Alien Worker” with the USCIS. Once the petition is approved, you will need to go through an interview process at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. If you are already living in the United States illegally, you may be able to adjust your status without having to leave the country.

5. Get a Green Card Through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program

The Diversity Visa Lottery Program is a U.S. government program that makes 55,000 immigrant visas available each year to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The program is open to anyone who meets the basic eligibility requirements, including being a native of an eligible country and having at least a high school education or equivalent.

To apply for the diversity visa lottery, you must submit an online application during registration. If you are selected, you will need to go through an interview process at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. If you are already living in the United States illegally, you may be able to adjust your status without having to leave the country.

6. Get a Green Card Through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

You may be eligible for special immigrant juvenile status if you are under 21 and have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. To be eligible, you must first obtain an order from a state juvenile court declaring that it is not in your best interest to return to your home country.

Once you have obtained the juvenile court order, you can file an “I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant” with the USCIS. If your petition is approved, you will need to go through an interview process at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. If you are already living in the United States illegally, you may be able to adjust your status without having to leave the country.

7. Get a Green Card Through the Victims of Trafficking Visa Program

If you have been a victim of human trafficking, you may be eligible for a green card through the Victims of Trafficking Visa Program. To be eligible, you must cooperate with law enforcement to investigate or prosecute your traffickers. You will also need to demonstrate that returning to your home country would result in extreme hardship.

To apply for a trafficking visa, you must first file an “I-914 Petition for T Non-immigrant Status” with the USCIS. If your petition is approved, you will need to go through an interview process at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. If you are already living in the United States illegally, you may be able to adjust your status without having to leave the country.

These are seven ways to get a green card and become a legal permanent resident of the United States. If you are eligible for more than one program, you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney to determine which one is best for you.