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.
Dreamer Builds a Successful Life in New York After Mother’s Deportation
Angel Reyes Rivas, the co-founder of a thriving technology company, has sacrificed more than most to become an educated, middle-class professional. When he was in high school, his mother was pulled over for driving without a license. As an undocumented immigrant from Peru, she was handed over to Immigration and… Read More
California Student Uses DACA Status To Start a Business
As soon as Ovier Alvarez, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, was granted the right to legally work in the United States, he started a photography business. Alvarez is a Dreamer, one of roughly 800,000 who has so far received protection under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a 2012 policy… Read More
DACA Recipient Dreams of Buying His Mother a House
Shortly after Jesus Perez began working as a social science research assistant at Johns Hopkins University, his 10-year-old brother asked for an ice-cream cone. Perez felt deep gratitude that he could say yes. As the undocumented son of Mexican immigrants, he didn’t have such luxuries when he was young. “Having… Read More
Welcoming Week Opens Its Arms to Immigrants Across the Country
Each year, a series of events and community gatherings take place across America that bring both the foreign- and native-born together to build inclusive communities. These “Welcoming Week” activities are hosted by local governments and community groups working to create a nation of neighbors. This year, the series of… Read More
Trump Administration Issues New Visa Sanctions on Four Countries, In Retaliation for Their Stance on Deportation
Following through on a directive from President Trump made during his first week in office, the State Department on Monday invoked a rarely-used law to impose visa restrictions on Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, declaring each country “recalcitrant” for refusing to accept the return of immigrants that… Read More
Economic Impact of Dreamers is Tremendous, Says South Carolina Lawyer
In 1980, when Marie-Louise Ramsdale was 10 years old, her father, a metallurgical engineer, got a job in America and relocated the family from Britain to South Carolina. Ramsdale suffered from culture shock — “I had no idea what pizza was,” she says — but settled in quickly, thriving at… Read More
CNN: The big decision on Dreamers: What Congress should do
One outcome of President Trump’s surprise budget deal with Democrats is a potential December showdown over the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and its hundreds of thousands of young beneficiaries. All eyes will turn to Congress — where, admittedly, a major immigration deal has eluded… Read More
Florida Dreamer: Americans Do Not Understand How Complicated Immigration Process Is
In 2000, Juan Escalante’s parents fled the violence of their native Venezuela. His mother and father, owners of a small print shop, were subject to targeted carjackings and death threats. Finally, enough was enough. They wanted safety for their three young children. So, in search of a better life, they… Read More
Post Independent: Editorial: The smart, American thing to do: Protect Dreamers
First, we offer thanks and praise to Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet, Colorado’s U.S. senators, for signing on as co-sponsors of the latest version of the Dream Act. The bill, backed by four Republican and six Democratic senators, would establish permanent residency and a path… Read More
Washington Post: Distinguished persons of the week
President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week chose to use the beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as fodder in their battle for the hearts of angry white nationalists. Their phony legal deadline — no lawsuit had been filed — concocted by Republican governors… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
