Immigration 101

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.

Flagstaff Business News: Why Flagstaff City Council Supports DACA

Flagstaff Business News: Why Flagstaff City Council Supports DACA

Recently, the Flagstaff City Council passed a resolution in support of DACA, Dreamers and comprehensive immigration reform. I was proud that the resolution had bipartisan support, and if you consider the facts it becomes clear why sensible immigration policy makes sense regardless of political affiliation. Immigrants are a vital part… Read More

Immigrants Make up a Smaller Share of the U.S. Population Than They Did 100 Years Ago

Immigrants Make up a Smaller Share of the U.S. Population Than They Did 100 Years Ago

The United States has been created by successive waves of immigration over the course of centuries. Each wave of immigrants from different parts of the world has helped to build the U.S. economy and enrich U.S. society. And each wave of immigrants has provoked a chorus of dire warnings from… Read More

UK Immigrant Brings Diverse Voices, and a New Aladdin, to Hollywood

UK Immigrant Brings Diverse Voices, and a New Aladdin, to Hollywood

When Walt Disney Pictures released the animated feature “Aladdin” in 1992, the movie was criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of Arab culture. Now, to ensure that its upcoming live-action version is authentic and nuanced, Disney has turned to an immigrant entrepreneur named Marya Bangee, the owner of SILA Consulting. The name of the company, which… Read More

Immigrants and Refugees Are Among America’s 2017 Nobel Prize Winners

Immigrants and Refugees Are Among America’s 2017 Nobel Prize Winners

The Nobel Prizes, awarded annually in recognition of extraordinary achievement in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace, have once again been won by Americans who came here as immigrants and refugees. Three out of the five Nobel Prize categories included immigrants or refugees. Immigrants have a history of… Read More

Med School Student Fears DACA Uncertainty Will Hurt Her Residency Chances

Med School Student Fears DACA Uncertainty Will Hurt Her Residency Chances

Pakistani immigrant Aaima Sayed has always been fascinated by mental health. It is a passion that drove her to succeed in college and medical school even though her undocumented status disqualified her for state and federal financial aid, forcing her to take out private loans and depend on the sacrifices… Read More

Med School Promotes DACA to Help Cure Nation’s Doctor Shortage

Med School Promotes DACA to Help Cure Nation’s Doctor Shortage

A single email in 2011 set Mark Kuczewski, chair of medical education at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, on a journey to help undocumented immigrants become doctors. A colleague had written saying he had received an application from one of the most talented candidates he had ever… Read More

Chicago Alderman Works to Remove False Notions About Immigrants and Crime

Chicago Alderman Works to Remove False Notions About Immigrants and Crime

Raymond Lopez had an unconventional path to becoming a politician. Although he had done get-out-the-vote work as a teenager, Lopez was more inspired by his long-time job working as a skycap for Southwest Airlines at Midway Airport. “I thought people deserved customer service in public service,” says Lopez, whose great-grandfather… Read More

Korean Immigrant Joins City Council to Fight for North-Atlanta Businesses

Korean Immigrant Joins City Council to Fight for North-Atlanta Businesses

When John Park, a resident of Brookhaven, Georgia, saw that his neighbors’ interests were being overlooked by local officials, he decided to take action. “The city government was skewed too much toward business interests and not the people who live here,” says Park, who works full time as a disease surveillance specialist… Read More

DACA Allows Chicago Sociologist to Build a Stable Life and Career

DACA Allows Chicago Sociologist to Build a Stable Life and Career

  When Erendira Rendon started college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2004, she was hesitant to tell her classmates that she was undocumented. She was among the first young people to take advantage of an Illinois law that allowed undocumented immigrants to pay in-state… Read More

DACA Uncertainty Could Crush Med Student’s Dream To Treat Underserved

DACA Uncertainty Could Crush Med Student’s Dream To Treat Underserved

As a child in southern Florida, Zarna Patel never got to see a doctor. Her parents, undocumented immigrants from India, had college degrees from their homeland, but in the United States had to work low-wage jobs without health insurance.  Besides, doctor’s offices didn’t seem safe. “I was always scared that… Read More

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No one should face the immigration system alone

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