Immigration 101
Immigration in the United States is complex and ever-evolving. Start here to understand the fundamental aspects of immigration policy, its history, and its impact on both individuals and the country at large. Learn commonly used terms about immigration law and how the U.S. immigration system is designed. Explore layered topics like how and whether immigrants can become citizens, as well as what individual protections look like under the law.
Hispanics in the US: What the Data Reveals About Shifting Geography, Ancestry, and Voting Patterns
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we look at the most recent Census and data to highlight the importance of Hispanics in the United States. For those wondering why Hispanic Heritage Month starts mid-month rather than on the first of September, the Month starts on September 15, coinciding with the independence… Read More
Biden Administration Close to Reaching Increased Cap on Employment-Based Green Cards
The Biden administration is close to using all of the employment-based immigrant visas (green cards) allotted for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that as of August 31, a total of 263,510 employment-based immigrant visas had been used this fiscal year (FY)—close to… Read More
Immigration Status Will No Longer Be a Barrier for Aspiring Lawyers in New Mexico
Written by American Immigration Council staff Leani García Torres and Raul Pinto The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative provides certain young, undocumented immigrants with a renewable two-year work permit. However, this work permit does not always mean DACA recipients can go into the profession of their choice. Read More
Fact Check: Migrants Aren’t the Ones Smuggling Fentanyl Into the United States
There is no doubt that fentanyl is a major problem inside the United States. Over the last decade, rising availability of fentanyl has caused a spike in overdose deaths across the nation. In 2021, almost 90% of opioid overdose deaths were linked to fentanyl. The criminal networks that produce… Read More
American Immigration Council Hosts New American Fellows Showcase in Brooklyn to Highlight Immigrant Voices and Advocacy
The American Immigration Council will host the New American Fellows Showcase to amplify advocacy and immigrant voices. Read More
The Economic Impact When International Students Return Back to Campus
As hundreds of thousands of students prepare to go back to school this fall, it’s important to consider the outsized role international students play in both campus life and the United States economy. For the 2020 – 2021 academic school year, there were an estimated 914,000 international students enrolled in… Read More
How Schools Welcome Newly Arrived Immigrant and Refugee Students
School is back in session. For many states and localities across the country, that means welcoming newly arrived immigrant and refugee youth into the classroom. There will be increased need for student support this fall, given that the United States has resettled more than 76,000 Afghans and 100,000 Ukrainians… Read More
Who Enforces Immigration Policy Anyway?
The lack of a major overhaul in the United States’ immigration system for roughly thirty years has created an ecosystem where states have attempted to insert their authority over immigration, especially when it comes to enforcement. Texas has made headlines with its tougher approach and outsized role in shaping… Read More
Debunking Major Myths About Immigrants’ Socioeconomic Status in the US
Opponents of immigration often claim that European immigrants who came to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are radically different than the Latin Americans and Asians who immigrate here today. A new book by two economic historians disproves that by… Read More
Immigration Agencies Get Hit with Record-High Lawsuits as Delays Worsen
Lawsuits asking courts to order government employees to decide long-pending immigration filings have increased sharply in the past year. According to a recent report by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), in May 2022 the federal courts recorded 647 immigration-related lawsuits for agency delay. This is “the highest number… Read More
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