How the Immigration System Works
The U.S. immigration system operates under an intricate set of rules that outline who can enter, reside in, and become a citizen of the United States. It includes various pathways like family-based immigration, employment visas, and refugee and asylum status, each with its own criteria and application processes. Several federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, oversee the system and enforce immigration laws and policies, handle applications, and manage border control. Learn more by exploring the resources below.
How the United States Immigration System Works
- How the Immigration System Works
- June 23, 2024
U.S. immigration law is very complex, and there is much confusion as to how it works. This fact sheet provides basic information…
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Council Urges Biden Administration to Ensure All Immigrant Visas are Processed
The Council led a letter urging the Biden administration to ensure that all immigrant visas are processed up to the numerical limits by September 30, 2021 to avoid the loss of visas and further increase to the backlog. Read More
Statement for the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee on “How Outdated U.S. Immigration Policies Push Top Talent to Other Countries”
This written statement submitted by the Council to Congress shares our analysis of the archaic U.S. immigration policies which are making the United States a less attractive destination for highly skilled workers from other countries. Read More
Biden Administration Revokes Trump’s Health Insurance Visa Ban
President Biden revoked a proclamation issued by former President Trump in 2019 that required nearly all prospective immigrants to demonstrate that they would be covered by private health insurance or were wealthy enough not to need it. Those needing health insurance would have to be covered within 30 days… Read More
Why We Must Improve Immigration Agency Transparency – And How to Do It
The Biden administration must improve transparency in the U.S. immigration system. Such efforts go hand in hand with strengthening democratic institutions. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), any person has the right to access any non-exempt federal government record. FOIA is a critical tool for holding the government… Read More
Council Submits Declaration in Deportation Moratorium Case, Explaining the Complex System of Enforcement and Removal
The Council submitted this declaration in support of the ACLU's defense of the Biden Administration's moratorium on deportations. This declaration explains how the removal and detention system works. Read More
Why Biden’s Immigration Bill Is the Boldest in Decades
During his campaign, President Biden promised that immigration reform would be one of his top priorities upon taking office. After unveiling the summary of a sweeping immigration reform bill on Inauguration Day, the Biden administration appears to have kept that promise. If passed, the bill will provide a pathway… Read More
The Biden Administration and Congress Must Guarantee Legal Representation for People Facing Removal
The Biden administration should take steps immediately upon entering office to expand federally funded legal representation programs for people facing removal. Here's why. Read More
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
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
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
America's story is an immigrant story.
