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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Detention under INA § 235(b): The Statutory Scheme and Strategies for Release
Immigration authorities have long invoked § 235(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to justify the detention of noncitizens entering the United States. The number of noncitizens detained under INA § 235(b), rather than the general detention provision, INA § 236(a), has increased exponentially in recent years. The… Read More
The Trump Administration Moves to Reinstate Restrictions on Legal Immigration Proposed in First Term
As we continue to see sweeping changes to immigration enforcement inside the United States, the Trump administration has also begun taking steps to restrict immigration to the United States. Over the past two weeks, the Trump administration announced that it was intending to bring back multiple policies from Trump’s… Read More
New Report: Trump’s Second Term Ushers in Extreme Immigration Overhaul that Threatens Our Democracy
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2025 — A special report released today offers a sweeping analysis of the Trump administration’s first six months back in office, revealing an unprecedented transformation of the U.S. immigration system that strikes at the foundation of American democracy. While some voters may have supported… Read More
Mass Deportation: Analyzing the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Immigrants, Democracy, and America
The first six months of President Trump’s return to office have marked the most extreme changes to the immigration system in modern U.S. history. Read More
Facts About Fentanyl Smuggling
Most fentanyl enters the U.S. through ports of entry, not via migrants. U.S. citizens are the primary smugglers, often recruited by criminal networks. Effective solutions focus on better screening at borders and public health strategies—not blaming migrants. Read More
Senate Approves Unprecedented Spending for Mass Deportation, Ignoring What’s Broken in our Immigration System
Washington DC, July 1, 2025 — On July 1, the U.S. Senate passed a budget reconciliation bill that includes an unprecedented allocation of funds for immigration detention and enforcement while simultaneously stripping healthcare from millions of Americans. The bill, passed today with Vice President JD Vance contributing the… Read More
What Does the Supreme Court Ruling on Birthright Citizenship Mean?
The Supreme Court issued a decision in the CASA v. Trump case on Friday, handing the Trump administration a major win by limiting judges’ ability to block unlawful policies nationwide. This could open the door for conflicting rules about who is guaranteed birthright citizenship, largely dependent upon where they… Read More
Lawsuit Challenges Tennessee “Anti-Harboring” Law that Criminalizes Providing Shelter to People who are Undocumented
WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2025 — On June 20, a coalition including a religious organization and two individuals filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a newly enacted Tennessee law that criminalizes providing shelter to people who are undocumented, even when there is no intent to conceal them. Read More
How Immigration is Shaping US Cities
Immigrants have long been key to population growth in the United States. Between 2018 and 2023, they were responsible for 42.1% of population growth in America’s 100 largest metro areas. In particular, 91.7% of population growth in metro Seattle, 83.7% in metro Scranton, PA, 82.1% in… Read More
What Is Habeas Corpus and Why Is It Important? Here’s What DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Got Wrong
In a tense exchange during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem if she could define “habeas corpus.” “Habeas corpus” is the constitutional right that ensures that people have a chance to challenge their imprisonment in front of a judge. Habeas corpus… Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.
