እንኳን ደህና መጣችሁ
The first few months are mostly paperwork. Here is the order most people do it in, what each step is actually for, and where to get help in your own language.
Almost everything else (a job, a bank account, a lease) asks for this first. You apply in person at a Social Security office with your immigration documents and passport. It is free, and no one should charge you for it.
Each of the three jurisdictions runs its own process and document list, so use the one where you live. Book an appointment early, walk-in waits can be long. All three let you practice with a free online manual and sample knowledge tests before you go.
Most banks ask for a photo ID plus an SSN or ITIN. Ask about accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance, and about sending money home before you open one, since fees vary a lot.
If you work, you will file a tax return each spring. If you are not eligible for an SSN, you may need an ITIN instead. A local Habesha tax preparer can walk you through your first filing in your own language, and there is free help if you earn under the IRS limit.
Deadlines matter, and the rules change. Use the official USCIS site for forms and current fees, and talk to a licensed immigration attorney about your specific case. Be careful with anyone who is not a lawyer but offers legal advice for a fee. If cost is a barrier, the accredited nonprofits below charge little or nothing.
Each jurisdiction has its own marketplace, and there are community clinics that see patients regardless of insurance status. Enrollment has deadlines, so check early.
Children can enroll regardless of immigration status. Register through the school district for the county or city where you live. You will usually need proof of address, immunization records, and your child's birth certificate. Districts must provide an interpreter at meetings about your child, at no cost to you.
Landlords typically ask for ID, proof of income, and sometimes a credit history you may not have yet. A co-signer, a larger deposit, or a letter from your employer can help. Ask around the community first, word of mouth still moves faster than listing sites here. It is illegal for a landlord to refuse you because of your national origin.
This is the part that makes a new place feel like home. The DMV has the largest Habesha community in the country: churches and mosques, markets that carry what you actually cook with, and restaurants that taste like home.
Churches, mosques, and community groups
This is general information to help you get oriented, not legal or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so always confirm on the official government sites linked above. Businesses listed here are not endorsed or vetted by TiruList, always check credentials yourself. For anything about your immigration case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney.
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