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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New York’s First Undocumented Lawyer: ‘We All Have a Voice’
In 2016, Cesar Vargas became New York state’s first openly undocumented lawyer. It was a major personal accomplishment for Vargas, whose mother brought him to the United States when he was 5 years old, and for New York, which became the third state in the nation to allow undocumented immigrants to… Read More
DACA-Eligible Entrepreneurs Earned More Than $658.7 Million in Total Business Income in 2015
NEW YORK, NY – As the fight to protect Dreamers continues in Washington, NAE is releasing data every day showing just how much DACA-eligible immigrants contribute to the American economy. In today’s installment, we focus on entrepreneurship, and highlight that DACA-eligible immigrants – much like immigrants overall – start businesses at… Read More
New American Economy Launches 15-State Ad Buy to Push DREAMer Legislation
NEW YORK, NY – In effort to push Congress to quickly arrive at an immigration compromise that secures the fate of nearly 800,000 DACA recipients—and up to an additional one million DREAMers—living in the United States, New American Economy is launching a six-figure ad buy in 15 key states across the… Read More
Dreamer Wants To Teach Kids, Instead Lives in Fear
In 2016, when Laura Perez was granted the right to legally work in the United States, she was finally able to come out of the shadows and,contribute more to her community and family. Perez is one of Utah’s more than 13,600 recipients of Deferred… Read More
It’s the Economy: Nation’s Oldest State Really Needs Its Dreamers
Publicly, Sharon McDonnell’s son’s friend goes by the name “S.” That’s because S is an undocumented immigrant. And although she now has Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a policy that currently shields her from deportation, she cannot be sure how long she will remain protected. None of the country’s… Read More
The Washington Post: ‘A bad dream’: Pro-immigration group headed by Michael Bloomberg targets 14 senators over fate of ‘dreamers’
A pro-immigration group headed by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is targeting 14 senators in a new television advertisement and phone campaign this fall over the fate of young undocumented immigrants known as “dreamers.” In a six-figure ad buy launching Wednesday, the group, New American Economy, describes the… Read More
Dreamer: Given the Opportunity, We Work Hard
In 2012, when Leonel Nieto, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, received the legal right to live and work in the United States, he quickly began achieving the milestones of American adulthood: He bought a house, took out a car loan, and earned a master’s degree in information technology to support… Read More
Caught in Limbo, STEM-Educated Dreamer Ponders a Move to Canada
Ecuadorian immigrant Edison Suasnavas is part of Silicon Slopes—a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) hot spot that is propelling Utah’s economy. He holds a master’s degree in animal science from Utah State University and works as a molecular oncologist at Arup Laboratories, in Salt Lake City,… Read More
Despite an Uncertain Future, DACA Law Student Continues to Help Others in Oklahoma City
Javier Hernandez was brought to the United States when he was a 1-year-old. In the 24 years since, he has founded a tutoring and mentorship program for high school students in his home town of Oklahoma City; tutored college students in math; coached little league soccer; and worked as a… Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.
