What we verified in “Your first apartment as a new arrival in the U.S.”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the CFPB, landlords use tenant screening reports to decide whether to rent to you and how much to charge for a security deposit; those reports can include credit reports, rental history (including eviction actions and lawsuits), employment verification and criminal history; if a report was used to deny you housing, the landlord must tell you, give you the contact information of the company that made the report and tell you about your right to dispute it; and you have a right to a free copy if you ask within 60 days of being denied housing.

   Sources 1 · What should I know about tenant screening when applying for rental housing?: 'Landlords use tenant screening reports'; 'rental history (including eviction actions and lawsuits)'; 'employment verification'; 'criminal history'; 'Your right to a free copy of that report if you make the request within 60 days of when the landlord denies you housing' · Checked October 31, 2026

2. According to the FTC, if a landlord rejects you or makes another negative decision because of your background report, you are entitled to an adverse action notice with the name, address and phone number of the report company; those negative decisions include requiring a cosigner, demanding a larger security deposit or charging more rent; the company must give you a free copy if you ask within 60 days; and it must investigate your dispute within 30 days.

   Sources 2 · Tenant Background Checks and Your Rights: 'a notice of the negative decision, called an "adverse action" notice'; 'requiring you to have a cosigner'; 'demanding you pay a larger security deposit'; 'charging you more for rent'; 'must give you a free copy of the report if you request it within 60 days'; 'Tenant background check companies must investigate your dispute within 30 days' · Checked October 31, 2026

3. Under the Social Security regulation (20 CFR 422.104), a Social Security number can be assigned to a U.S. citizen, to a lawful permanent resident, to a person with other legal authority to work in the U.S., and to other people only for a valid nonwork reason, such as meeting a federal requirement for a federally funded benefit.

   Sources 3 · 20 CFR 422.104(a): 'A United States citizen; or'; 'An alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence'; 'under other authority of law permitting you to work in the United States'; 'but only for a valid nonwork reason'; 'You need a social security number to satisfy a Federal statute or regulation' · Checked October 31, 2026

4. According to USCIS, certain noncitizens in the United States may file Form I-765 to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and others whose immigration status lets them work without restrictions may apply for an EAD that shows that authorization.

   Sources 4 · I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: 'Certain aliens who are in the United States may file Form I-765'; 'to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)'; 'Other aliens whose immigration status authorizes them to work in the United States without restrictions'; 'apply for an EAD that shows such authorization' · Checked October 31, 2026

5. According to USCIS, during a designation period, TPS beneficiaries and people USCIS finds preliminarily eligible are not removable from the United States and can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD); USCIS warns that some unauthorized practitioners try to take advantage of people by claiming they can file TPS forms and charging for it, and that only an attorney or an accredited representative of a recognized organization can give legal advice.

   Sources 5 · Temporary Protected Status: 'Are not removable from the United States'; 'Can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)'; 'Please be aware that some unauthorized practitioners may try to take advantage of you by claiming they can file TPS forms'; 'These same individuals may ask that you pay them to file such forms' · Checked October 31, 2026

6. According to the IRS, an ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues if you need a taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes and are not eligible for a Social Security number; an ITIN does not authorize you to work, does not provide or change immigration status and does not serve as identification outside the federal tax system.

   Sources 6 · Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN): 'An ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues if you need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes'; 'You need an ITIN if you have a federal tax purpose and you’re not eligible for an SSN'; 'Provide or change immigration status'; 'Authorize you to work legally in the U.S.'; 'Serve as identification outside the federal tax system' · Checked October 31, 2026

7. The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3604) makes it unlawful, because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin, to refuse to rent after a good-faith offer or refuse to negotiate, or otherwise make a dwelling unavailable; to discriminate in the terms, conditions or privileges of a rental; to publish ads that show a preference, limitation or discrimination; and to tell a person a dwelling is not available when it is.

   Sources 7 · 42 U.S.C. 3604(a)–(d): 'To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of'; 'or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex'; 'To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling'; 'To make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published any notice, statement, or advertisement'; 'To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin' · Checked October 31, 2026

8. According to the Department of Justice, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on national origin, which can be based on a person's country of birth or on where their ancestors came from; and the Department has taken action against private landlords who discriminated against new immigrants.

   Sources 8 · The Fair Housing Act: 'The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based upon national origin'; 'can be based either upon the country of an individual's birth or where his or her ancestors originated'; 'new immigrants from Southeastern Asia, such as the Hmong'; 'taken action against private landlords who have discriminated against such individuals' · Checked October 31, 2026

9. According to HUD, the Fair Housing Act protects you from discrimination when you rent or buy a home; it prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability; and it applies to nearly all housing, including private housing, public housing and housing that receives federal funding.

   Sources 9 · Fair Housing Act Overview: 'The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home'; 'prohibits discrimination in housing because of:'; 'Race'; 'Color'; 'National Origin'; 'Religion'; 'Sex'; 'Familial Status'; 'Disability' · Checked October 31, 2026

10. In its enforcement guidance on national origin and limited English proficiency, HUD says language, by itself, is not a protected trait; that neither the Fair Housing Act nor Title VI categorically requires translation services; that its fair housing office prioritizes cases where language was used as a proxy or a vehicle for intentional national origin discrimination; and that none of this affects the injured person's right to file a lawsuit in federal or state court within two years.

    Sources 10 · Enforcement Guidance – National Origin Discrimination based on Limited English Proficiency under the Fair Housing Act and Title VI (FHEO, September 19, 2025): 'Language is not a protected trait and, by itself, does not identify members of a suspect class'; 'neither Title VIII of the Fair Housing Act nor Title VI of the Civil Rights Act categorically require reasonable modifications/accommodations (e.g., translation services)'; 'FHEO will prioritize enforcement actions where language has been used as a proxy for national origin or a vehicle for intentional discrimination'; 'within two years after the occurrence or termination of the alleged discriminatory housing practice'; 'Nothing in this memo affects the rights of the parties to seek redress through a private right of action' · Checked October 31, 2026

11. According to HUD, you can report housing discrimination online, by phone at 1-800-669-9777 or by mail to the regional office; there are time limits for filing, and HUD asks you to report as soon as possible.

    Sources 11 · Report Housing Discrimination: 'You can Report Housing Discrimination with FHEO online'; '1-800-669-9777'; 'print out this form and mail it to your regional FHEO office'; 'there are time limits on when an allegation can be filed with HUD'; 'as soon as possible' · Checked October 31, 2026

12. Under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3610), an aggrieved person may file a complaint with HUD no later than one year after the discriminatory practice occurred or ended.

    Sources 12 · 42 U.S.C. 3610(a)(1)(A)(i): 'An aggrieved person'; 'may, not later than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated'; 'file a complaint with the Secretary alleging such discriminatory housing practice' · Checked October 31, 2026

13. Under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3613), an aggrieved person may file a lawsuit in federal or state court no later than 2 years after the discriminatory practice occurred or ended.

    Sources 13 · 42 U.S.C. 3613(a)(1)(A): 'may commence a civil action in an appropriate United States district court or State court'; 'not later than 2 years after the occurrence or the termination of an alleged discriminatory housing practice' · Checked October 31, 2026

14. According to the FTC, in rental scams the fake owner may say you can only secure the place with a wire transfer through Western Union or MoneyGram; wiring money, sending gift cards or paying with cryptocurrency is the same as sending cash; the fake owner usually claims to be out of the country; if anyone pressures you to decide quickly, walk away; get a copy of the contract before you send any deposit; and you can report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    Sources 14 · Rental Listing Scams: 'The fake owner might tell you can only secure the property with a wire transfer through Western Union or MoneyGram'; 'Wiring money, sending gift cards, or paying by cryptocurrency is the same as sending cash'; 'the fake owner will usually claim to be out of the country'; 'if anyone pressures you to make a decision quickly, walk away'; 'get a copy of the contract before you send any deposit money'; 'ReportFraud.ftc.gov' · Checked October 31, 2026

15. According to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), only certain people can represent you, including licensed attorneys and accredited representatives; and notarios, document preparers, immigration consultants and travel agents are not allowed to practice law or give you legal advice.

    Sources 15 · Can Someone Represent You at EOIR?: 'Those include validly licensed attorneys and accredited representatives'; 'Notarios, document preparers, immigration consultants, and travel agents are not allowed to practice law'; 'cannot give you legal advice' · Checked October 31, 2026

16. EOIR publishes on its website the rosters of recognized organizations and accredited representatives, and a version organized by state.

    Sources 16 · Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) Roster Reports: 'Below you will find links to Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) Roster reports:' · Checked October 31, 2026

17. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has a finder: you enter an address or a city and it shows an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you.

    Sources 17 · I Need Legal Help: 'enter an address or city below to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you' · Checked October 31, 2026