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.
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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Birthright Citizenship in the United States
- Birthright Citizenship
- July 9, 2026
This fact sheet explains birthright citizenship, the Fourteenth Amendment, and its interpretations. Who is…
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Asylum in the United States
- Asylum
- August 27, 2014
Asylum seekers must navigate a difficult and complex process that can involve multiple government…
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2025 Impact Snapshot
Our 2025 Impact Snapshot captures the human stories and national-scale impact of a year defined by profound challenges for immigrant communities. Inside, you’ll find examples of families reunited, youth protected from harmful detention practices, and Detroit neighborhoods building bridges across race and culture through our belonging initiatives. Paired with… Read More
What Are Third-Country Removals? Understanding Their Use In U.S. Immigration Policy
Third-country deportation and third-country removal are terms used to refer to any case in which the government sends someone to a country that is not the country in which they lived prior to arriving in the United States, nor to a country of which they are a citizen or… 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… Read More
Can Undocumented Immigrants Get SNAP or Medicaid? The Truth About Federal Benefits
Key Takeaways 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… Read More
National Immigrant Rights Organizations Sue the Federal Government Over Withheld Records on ICE Arrests in Immigration Courts
Washington, D.C, October 15 — Today, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, the American Immigration Council, and Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, demanding the release of critical records the government has unlawfully withheld about arrests at immigration courts and the dismissal… Read More
Legal Groups File Emergency Motion to Stop ICE from Jailing Immigrant Teens in Adult Detention
Washington, D.C, October 4 — Advocacy groups the American Immigration Council and the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) filed an emergency motion on October 4, seeking to enforce a 2021 court ruling (in the Garcia Ramirez v. ICE case) that prevents ICE from illegally locking… 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… 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… Read More
Why Is It So Hard to Become a US Citizen?
Key Takeaways “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… 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… Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.
