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.
Whistleblower Report Reveals USCIS Is Circumventing Court Order on Immigrants’ Access to their Records
A whistleblower report published today in Government Executive shows how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is circumventing a court order that requires the agency to provide immigrants with their immigration records within the legal timelines. The revelations state that USCIS has adopted certain practices leading the agency… Read More
A Holiday Guide: Debunking 5 Myths about Immigration in the U.S.
As families gather around the dinner table during the holidays, political debates are bound to come up—with immigration being no exception. To counter the misinformation on this contentious topic and keep the conversation productive, the American Immigration Council is here to bust five common myths about immigrants in the United… Read More
Can Undocumented Immigrants Get SNAP or Medicaid? The Truth About Federal Benefits
Amid widespread misinformation about immigrants, SNAP, Medicaid, and government benefits, it’s critical to know the facts. Who qualifies for specific federal public benefits can be complicated, relying on a sweeping checklist of eligibility criteria. The recent passage of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has further… Read More
What a Government Shutdown Means for the Immigration System
With weeks of failed negotiations, Congress has less than 12 hours to avert a possible government shutdown. Should government funding lapse on October 1 without a deal, the impact will be felt differently across the government agencies that play a role in the immigration system. Democratic members of the Senate… Read More
Hispanic Heritage Month is Still a Time for Celebration, Even Amidst Fear
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month. Here is what I am celebrating. I come from a culture of many languages. We carry histories that stretch across continents and generations. We are doctors, students, and teachers. We are neighbors, coworkers, and friends. We are valuable. We are worthy. And we should take pride… Read More
Why Is It So Hard to Become a US Citizen?
“Why don’t they just get in line?” It’s a question often directed toward undocumented immigrants living in the United States, a pointed challenge on why someone didn’t come to the country “the right way.” The short answer: there is no “line” available for most immigrants. The pathway to American… Read More
New USCIS ‘Special Agents’ Will Be Given the Power to Arrest, Use Deadly Force Against Immigrants
On September 5, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency established by Congress to adjudicate immigration applications, made a startling announcement. For the first time since the agency was created in 2003, the agency will create a new class of “special agents,” who will be… Read More
The Trump Administration Moves to Reinstate Restrictions on Legal Immigration Proposed in First Term
As we continue to see sweeping changes to immigration enforcement inside the United States, the Trump administration has also begun taking steps to restrict immigration to the United States. Over the past two weeks, the Trump administration announced that it was intending to bring back multiple policies from Trump’s first… Read More
What Does the Supreme Court Ruling on Birthright Citizenship Mean?
The Supreme Court issued a decision in the CASA v. Trump case on Friday, handing the Trump administration a major win by limiting judges’ ability to block unlawful policies nationwide. This could open the door for conflicting rules about who is guaranteed birthright citizenship, largely dependent upon where they live. Read More
How Immigration is Shaping US Cities
Immigrants have long been key to population growth in the United States. Between 2018 and 2023, they were responsible for 42.1% of population growth in America’s 100 largest metro areas. In particular, 91.7% of population growth in metro Seattle, 83.7% in metro Scranton, PA, 82.1% in metro… Read More
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