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 24, 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
- September 8, 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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Capture of Maduro Proves Trump Has Used Venezuelans as Political Pawns in Immigration Policy
With the capture and prosecution of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, the United States’ convoluted—and often contradictory—policies toward Venezuelan immigrants have been thrown into stark relief. And Venezuelans living in the United States continue to feel the whiplash. Over the past five years, Venezuelans fleeing political persecution or economic… Read More
Whistleblower Report Reveals USCIS Is Circumventing Court Order on Immigrants’ Access to their Records
A whistleblower report published today in Government Executive shows how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is circumventing a court order that requires the agency to provide immigrants with their immigration records within the legal timelines. The revelations state that USCIS has adopted certain practices leading the… Read More
New Report: Trump’s Mass Deportation Agenda Will Deepen the Childcare Crisis
Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2025 — A new report from the American Immigration Council warns that the U.S. childcare system (already stretched thin by rising costs, staffing shortages, and high demand) is facing catastrophic disruption under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. The loss of even a fraction of the… Read More
Immigrant Workers and the Childcare Crisis
Immigrant childcare workers are vital to America’s economy, yet aggressive immigration enforcement and rising costs threaten access to affordable care. Learn why protecting this workforce is essential for families and businesses. Read More
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
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
America's story is an immigrant story.
