Requirement For Families

Immigration Requirements

Immigration Requirements For Families

Please review the section with recommendations and resources for everyone before reviewing this section. There is important information pertaining to you as an immigrant in that section.

Ensure that you get transcripts/report cards from your child’s school with each class/grade listed and subjects taken in each class. This will help you ensure that your children are placed in the right grade in the US and also that they don’t repeat classes.
Getting your Social Security card is vital to find a job.
Bring your baptism records for your family for Church records.
It is also vital to make sure you have your immunization records; by having these records you will save yourself from getting immunizations that you already have had in the past, a good example is without proof of TB vaccine you will be required to take medication for 9 months.
Depending on the school district you live in, apply for free lunch before you secure a job or if you meet the minimum requirements provided by the school. There is no shame in receiving assistance when needed.

Most states provide subsidized or free services like internet, phone, insurance and food. (See additional information in the resource section).
Be prepared to be an advocate for your child. Most school will enroll your child in an ESL (English as a second language) because you are a foreigner. Make sure that you communicate clearly with your child’s teacher to ensure your child is not being enrolled unnecessarily to these classes. They can be helpful for some children but most Kenyan children DO NOT need ESL.
School Year- The school year in the US is not the same as Kenya. If you have school age children, please note that the school year starts in August/September through May/June of the following year. The summer break is the longest school break which is usually 2 months long. Ensure you have proper arrangements for child care while you are working.
In most states children over the age of 14 can watch their younger siblings. Please read your specific state laws to ensure you are in compliance with the law. Your children could easily be taken away by child protective services if they are left home alone with no supervision.
Enroll your high school kids in programs like Girls Who Code. This will expose them to valuable resources.
Apply for head start program for young children from birth to five years old. The program promotes school readiness for low income families. (See additional information under the important resources section).
Encourage your child/children to participate in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs in their schools and/or after school programs. Many offer scholarships. This will open a world of endless opportunities. The younger the child starts the better.
Register with the Department of Labor in the area you live in immediately you arrive. They will assist you with resume/CV services. You want to ensure that your work experience in Kenya is translated into transferable skill sets that are valuable in the US job market. Register with the Workforce Development Center to help with job preparation, like resumes, interviews and job search
Register for Medicaid if it is offered in the state you live in until you get a job with medical insurance.

Find local charities and churches that are able to assist you with transportation to and from job interviews.
If you are looking to purchase a vehicle, make sure you work with reputable dealerships or individuals who have your best interests at heart. Ensure that before you pay for a car, you take it to a mechanic of your choice for a 36 or 72-point car inspection to identify any potential issues with the car. It will cost you at least $100 but you are better off paying that and knowing exactly what you are paying for than discovering later that you paid thousands for a bad car.
If you are entrepreneurial check with your local chamber of commerce to see if they have opportunities to fund minority owned businesses.

Make sure your credit history isn’t run all the time because it ruins your credit. (See additional resources on Credit)
Get in touch with the local library to access free services. They offer free training for computer skills, life skills, children’s programs, health and wellness, cooking and wide variety of services.
Check with local community centers like the YMCA or local churches, Mosques, Temples and schools for subsidized before and after school programs within the community you live in.
There are healthcare facilities that offer free or subsidized services for families. Search online for Free and low income clinics for assistance. These are specific to the State and local counties. (See the resources section for additional information.)
Planned Parenthood is a great resource for free or cheap women’s health preventative treatments like birth control, mammograms etc.
Higher Education- If the adults in your family want to go back to college, there are many resources available for you. First identify your field of study, then identify the schools that offer what you want to study. It is advisable to select local schools like community colleges or state funded universities due to cost.
Financial Aid for College/University- Many schools offer financial aid for education. The aid comes in form of scholarships, grants, government subsidized and unsubsidized loans and private loans. (See the resources section for additional information.)
W.E.S. (World Education Services) is a service that you pay to evaluate your education received in other countries to match it to the US system. There is a fee however, it will help eliminate some requirements to take unnecessary courses in college. (See the resources section for additional information.)

Stranded with no help?

Contact the Kenyan Embassy in the US in case you find yourself stranded with no one to assist you.

In the event that you find yourself stranded at the airport, call Kwitu Inc. at +1 973-704-0190. When calling make sure you have the following information handy.

Your current location.
The full name, phone number of the person who was supposed to pick you up from the airport.
The name, phone number and address of your host.

Disclaimer: Failure to provide the above mentioned information will prevent Kwitu from providing the necessary assistance. The Kwitu Inc. phone number should only be used by individuals who are truly stranded at arrival due to unavoidable circumstances. Kwitu Inc., will vet and confirm any information provided by those seeking assistance.