Nation on Immigration

I. A Nation founded on Immigration

A. 1790- Congress establishes a process for foreigners to become US citizens

B. 1875- Federal adopted that denies entry and citizenship to criminals

C. 1876- US Supreme Court rules that regulation of immigration is a federal policy domain

D. 1891- Congress establishes the Immigration Service

II. Three Broad Goals

A. Reunite families by admitting immigrates who have family members living in the US

B. Admit workers with skills that are deemed to be in short supply in the US (German Physics)

C. Ensure diversity by admitting individuals who have come countries with historically low rate of immigration to the US

III. Entry into the US

A. Two Paths to Lawful Entry

1. Non-Immigrant Visa: Temporary admission issued a non-immigrant visa. Applies to individuals who are coming to the US temporarily for a specific period of time and a specific activity

a) Work Visa

b) Study Visa

c) Tourist Visa

d) Diplomatic Visa

2. Immigrant Visa: Permanent admission (lawful permanent resident), issued an immigrant visa. Immigrant Visa is required of anyone who wishes to enter the US to reside there permanently, whether or not that person plans to seek employment in the US. Four broad categories include:

a) Immediate Relatives

b) Family Based

c) Employment Based

d) Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (Lottery)

(1) Up to 50,000 from countries with historically low immigration to the US may enter in one year

3. Asylum Status (asked for it if inside the US) and Refugee Status (asked for it outside the US)

a) To gain status: My be granted to people who are already in the US and are unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion

**** Most recently women who are victims of Domestic Violence ****

**** Permanent Admission may later apply for citizenship ****