Immigration 101

Immigration 101

The U.S. immigration system is complex and can be difficult to understand. These resources provide key data points, historical information, and background on hot topics in immigration. Learn the basics about immigration. 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.

How the United States Immigration System Works

U.S. immigration law is very complex, and there is much confusion as to how it works. This fact sheet provides basic information…

Read More Written

Birthright Citizenship in the United States

This fact sheet explains birthright citizenship, the Fourteenth Amendment, and its interpretations. Who is…

Read More Written

Asylum in the United States

Asylum seekers must navigate a difficult and complex process that can involve multiple government…

Read More
Comment on CBP Proposed Rule To Drastically Expand the Use of Facial Recognition Technology

Comment on CBP Proposed Rule To Drastically Expand the Use of Facial Recognition Technology

The Proposed Rule would drastically expand the use of unproven facial recognition technology at ports of entry throughout the United States. Read More

USCIS and ICE Must Give People Access to Their Immigration Files After Losing Lawsuit

USCIS and ICE Must Give People Access to Their Immigration Files After Losing Lawsuit

People who need access to their government immigration records scored a huge victory in the Nightingale et al. v. USCIS case on December 17. A judge ruled that a nationwide class of individuals should have access to their immigration files—called A-Files—within the timeframes outlined in the Freedom of Information… Read More

Congressional Democrats Announce One of the Most Progressive Immigration Reform Plans in History

Congressional Democrats Announce One of the Most Progressive Immigration Reform Plans in History

Progressive Democrats in the House of Representatives are gearing up to demand a comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. immigration system when the Biden administration and a new Congress are in place early next year. This reform effort will go beyond reversing the Trump administration’s extreme anti-immigrant policies, with the… Read More

Your COVID-19 Vaccine Was Likely Made by an Immigrant

Your COVID-19 Vaccine Was Likely Made by an Immigrant

The development of a COVID-19 vaccine is a global endeavor. The scientists and entrepreneurs creating the vaccine are of many nationalities and immigration statuses—as are the millions of people impacted by the pandemic who are anxiously awaiting a vaccine. The three pharmaceutical companies with vaccines near-ready for distribution—BioNTech, Pfizer, and… Read More

Liberians Have Until December 20 to Apply for a Green Card Under the LRIF Program

Liberians Have Until December 20 to Apply for a Green Card Under the LRIF Program

Thousands of Liberians living lawfully in the United States run the risk of detention and deportation if they do not apply for the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness program (LRIF) by the December 20 filing deadline. The LRIF program offers an estimated 10,300 Liberians who have lived… Read More

The Trump Administration Will Inflict More Damage to the Immigration System Before Leaving Office

The Trump Administration Will Inflict More Damage to the Immigration System Before Leaving Office

As the Biden-Harris administration prepares to take office, many anxiously await what immigration policies the Trump administration will finalize in the lead up to Inauguration Day in the form of new regulations, memos, and proclamations. While it may be a “lame duck” period, it is one of the busiest as… Read More

Who Is Alejandro Mayorkas? The New DHS Secretary Will Spearhead Biden’s Immigration Agenda

Who Is Alejandro Mayorkas? The New DHS Secretary Will Spearhead Biden’s Immigration Agenda

The incoming Biden-Harris administration has announced its choice for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security: Alejandro Mayorkas. If confirmed, Mayorkas will represent several historic firsts for the department—he will be the first Latino and immigrant to lead DHS. This is a significant departure from the… Read More

Talking Turkey: How to Discuss Immigration for Long-Lasting Change

Talking Turkey: How to Discuss Immigration for Long-Lasting Change

While our Thanksgiving dinner tables may look a little different this year, one thing remains the same: Thanksgiving is a time to catch up and reconnect with loved ones. Whether you are doing this by phone, Zoom, or at a social distanced gathering, many of our conversations will reveal that… Read More

New US Citizenship Test Makes It Harder for Immigrants to Become Citizens

New US Citizenship Test Makes It Harder for Immigrants to Become Citizens

Lawful permanent residents seeking to become U.S. citizens will now be required to take a more difficult and longer citizenship test. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the change on November 13. The new test increases the total number of questions from 100 to 128. Applicants will be… Read More

Biden’s Immigration Plan Is a Promising Start in the Work Ahead

Biden’s Immigration Plan Is a Promising Start in the Work Ahead

This article is part of the Moving Forward on Immigration series that explores the future of immigration in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.  President-elect Joe Biden’s plan on immigration stands in stark contrast to the xenophobic agenda the Trump administration has put forward the last four years. Much… Read More

Make a contribution

Make a direct impact on the lives of immigrants.

logoimg