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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
With DACA, Wisconsin Students Have Access to Language Academic
Carlos Jara, a third-year doctoral candidate in Spanish and Portuguese studies and a university instructor in Wisconsin, wakes up every morning at dawn and doesn’t return home until around 7:00 p.m. In addition to his academic work, Jara co-chairs conferences for his department and works as an accounting manager at… Read More
Once Undocumented, Mexican Salon Owner Wants to Prove Immigrants Make a Difference
Mexican immigrant Estela Nava has owned a hair salon on the South Side of Chicago for 30 years. Every day she tends to her clients’ needs for haircuts, color treatments, and perms. For Nava, who came to Chicago as an undocumented immigrant at age 17, owning her own business means… Read More
Colorado Immigration Reform Coalition Responds to the Announcement of the SUCCEED Act, Calls on State Delegation to Support DREAMers in the Economy
Denver, CO — Today, the Colorado Immigration Reform Coalition responded to the announcement of the SUCCEED Act, legislation that addresses the uncertain future of DREAMers following the announcement to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. The group urged the Colorado Congressional Delegation to support reforms that allow DREAMers… Read More
America's story is an immigrant story.
