Immigration 101

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.

Trump Administration Refugee Admissions Fall Drastically Short of Six-Month Benchmark

Trump Administration Refugee Admissions Fall Drastically Short of Six-Month Benchmark

Six months into fiscal year 2018, the Trump administration has admitted roughly 10,520 refugees, a number so low that it may be impossible to reach the 45,000 target set by the administration last fall. If admissions continue at this slow pace, the United States may barely reach 20,000 refugee… Read More

What Are the Risks of Adding a Citizenship Question to the Decennial Census?

What Are the Risks of Adding a Citizenship Question to the Decennial Census?

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Monday night that a question on citizenship status will be added to the 2020 decennial census questionnaire. This decision, which was adopted in response to a request from the Department of Justice, has raised deep concern within both the immigrant rights and academic… Read More

The Invisible Wall That President Trump Has Already Built

The Invisible Wall That President Trump Has Already Built

Legal immigration and the number of foreigners visiting the United States has taken a serious hit within the last year, as the Trump administration makes changes to policies and procedures without any Congressional action or approval. These actions have already had a disturbing, cumulative effect as the administration begins to… Read More

Texas Social Worker Sees Valuable Talent Stifled Without DACA

Texas Social Worker Sees Valuable Talent Stifled Without DACA

As a social worker, Bere Hernandez helps people in her community reach their full potential. As an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, she knows how many obstacles the foreign-born can encounter. “Immigrants are often seen as individuals who need to be rescued,” says Hernandez, who received her master’s degree in social… Read More

National 2018 Immigration Survey

National 2018 Immigration Survey

New American Economy and TargetPoint Consulting released new polling that shows how Republican and conservative voters, including Trump’s base, overwhelmingly support a deal in Congress for increased border security in exchange for a path to citizenship for Dreamers. Topline Results: National 2018 Immigration Survey… Read More

The United States’ Undocumented Population Has Been on the Decline Since 2010

The United States’ Undocumented Population Has Been on the Decline Since 2010

With approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States, curbing unauthorized immigration has been at the forefront of the Trump administration’s enforcement priorities. Yet new data shows that a heightened focus on this population may be misguided, as the number of undocumented immigrants… Read More

U.S. Could Deport the STEM Grads it Desperately Needs

U.S. Could Deport the STEM Grads it Desperately Needs

American companies need young people like Cesar Guzman, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Texas at El Paso. U.S. employers are already struggling to find qualified workers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields; in 2016, there were more than 12 STEM jobs posted… Read More

Dallas DACA-Recipient Works to Improve His Community

Dallas DACA-Recipient Works to Improve His Community

Alex Medrano was 11 years old when his mother brought him to the United States from Mexico in search of a better education, an opportunity Medrano fast took advantage of. By his sophomore year of high school, he was taking college classes, and by graduation he had 62 hours of… Read More

NAE Statement on SCOTUS Decision on DACA

NAE Statement on SCOTUS Decision on DACA

After the Supreme Court declined to take up the Trump administration’s appeal on DACA, New American Economy released the following statement: “The courts kept DACA alive for at least a few more months, but it’s Congress’s job to end the uncertainty once and for all,” said John Feinblatt, President of New… Read More

Removal of 'Nation of Immigrants' from USCIS Mission Ignores Agency’s Mandate and American History

Removal of ‘Nation of Immigrants’ from USCIS Mission Ignores Agency’s Mandate and American History

Francis Cissna, Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), unveiled a new mission statement for the agency last week, notably deleting the words “a nation of immigrants” as well as other key principles central to the agency’s work. Given the sweeping changes underway in the enforcement… Read More

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