Immigration, moving, and adapting to the U.S.
Free content on the topics covered in the book — for anyone researching before deciding.
Do Not Tell Everyone Your Story: ICE Reports, Extortion and How to Protect Yourself
People who know your immigration situation can use it against you. See what ICE says about tips, how extortion works and an emergency plan with a power of attorney and documents.
Read article → Daily life in the USOwning a Car in the US: Why You May Need One and What It Costs
In much of the US you cannot live without a car. See the yearly cost of owning one (AAA), required insurance, the Texas driver license rules and how to choose where to live.
Read article → HousingHow to Rent an Apartment in the US With No Credit History
Arrived in the US with no credit score? See what landlords usually ask for, alternatives to credit, how to prove income and how to avoid rental scams (FTC).
Read article → HealthHealth Insurance in the US for Immigrants: Emergency Care, Costs and Options
How health care works in the US for new arrivals: the emergency room, Marketplace plans, the 2026 and 2027 changes and how to lower medical costs.
Read article → WorkInformal Work in the US: Risks, Your Rights and What to Do If You Are Not Paid
Working without authorization can cost you your status, but you still have rights. See minimum wage, overtime, protection from retaliation and where to file a complaint for free.
Read article → Daily life in the USFirst Weeks in the US: 10 Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
The problems that hit Brazilians most in their first weeks in the US: housing, credit, cars, banking, health care, scams and documents. And what to do about each.
Read article → Green card and visasHow to Get a Green Card: The Main Paths
The paths to a green card according to USCIS: family, employment, the lottery, refugee status and asylum. Who can apply, how the visa queue works, and what changes inside or outside the US.
Read article → Green card and visasGreen Card Lottery: Can Brazilians Enter?
People born in Brazil are not eligible for the green card lottery (DV-2026). Read the rules, the exceptions through a spouse or parents, the requirements, and how to avoid scams.
Read article → Visas and statusUS Visa Denied (214(b)): What It Means and What to Do
What a 214(b) US visa refusal is, what other denial reasons exist, whether you can appeal, and when to reapply, according to the State Department.
Read article → DocumentsHow to Get a Social Security Number (SSN) as an Immigrant
Who can apply for an SSN, which documents to bring, how to start online, what a non-work SSN is, and why the application is free. Step by step, with the official source (SSA).
Read article → Money and taxesUS Taxes: Are You a Resident or a Nonresident?
How the IRS decides whether you are a US tax resident: the green card test, the substantial presence test, which return to file (1040 or 1040-NR), deadlines, and when you need an ITIN.
Read article → Money and taxesCredit Score in the US: What It Is and How to Build Credit
What a credit score is, what affects it, how to get your credit reports for free, and habits that build credit in the US. Explained with the official source (CFPB).
Read article → Visas and statusI Have a B1/B2 Visa (Tourism and Business). Can I Legally Live in the US?
The B1/B2 visa does not allow you to live, work, or study in the US. See what it allows, how long you can stay, and how to change status.
Read article → DocumentsWhich Documents to Get When You Arrive in the US: With or Without Work Authorization
The documents you need to get in the US depend on whether you have work authorization. See SSN, ITIN, driver's license and what changes in each case.
Read article → ImmigrationWhat Is ICE and How to Stay Current With US Immigration Laws
What ICE is, what ERO, HSI and OPLA do, and how to stay current with US immigration law: deadlines, registration, address changes and documents.
Read article → Green card and visasEB-2 NIW Green Card and O-1 Visa: Two Paths for Strong Professionals
Understand the EB-2 NIW green card (National Interest Waiver) and the O-1 extraordinary ability visa: requirements, differences, and which one fits you.
Read article → BorderCrossing the Mexico Border: The Difficulties of Those Who Arrive in the US This Way
Entering the US across the Mexico border without authorization risks your life, brings long legal consequences and a life of limits. See the full picture.
Read article → EnglishWhy Speaking English Matters When You Live in the US
Speaking English in the US builds trust, helps you negotiate, and spares you trouble on the phone, at the hospital, at the dentist and with clients.
Read article → Study in the USF-1 Student Visa: How It Works, What It Allows, and What Changes in 2026
How to get an F-1 student visa, what it allows (work, OPT, family), and what the new 2026 rule on length of stay changes.
Read article → AsylumAsylum in the US: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and the Risk of Going Back to Brazil
What asylum is, which grounds the law recognizes, how the process works, and why traveling to Brazil after approval can put your asylum at risk.
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