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.
Retiree to Immigrants: Prescott, Arizona, is ‘Everybody’s Home Town’
Every Friday in Prescott, Arizona, retiree Dennis Duvall stands in the town center holding an 8-foot-long red banner that proclaims “Immigrants and Refugees Are Welcome.” “Immigration has been a big issue here in Arizona,” Duvall explains. “Because of our border here with Mexico, it has been virtually divisive. Arizona is… Read More
Priest: Love ‘the God We Cannot See by Loving the Neighbor We Can’
To Father Phil Egitto, the Bible is crystal clear about immigration. “The message of the Gospel is entirely about loving the God we cannot see by loving the neighbor we can,” he says. “That includes the immigrant, and the refugee, and the foreigner, as our scriptures remind us that we… Read More
Mexican-American Creates Services for an Aging Population
Mary A. Gloria was inspired to found the Pan de la Vida Foundation by her Catholic faith and her Mexican heritage. As a devout Catholic, Gloria believes in Jesus’ teaching to help those in need. As the daughter of immigrants, she grew up around newcomers who spent their days working… Read More
Understanding the Dangerous Implications of President Trump’s Immigration Executive Order
On January 25, President Trump signed a pair of immigration-related executive orders, one dealing with border security and the other with immigration enforcement in the interior of the country. The order on border security has received the most public attention—particularly the “great wall” that Trump is so anxious to build. Read More
Western Michigan University’s Director of the College Assistance Migrant Program is Thankful for President Reagan
From the age of 12, Adriana Cardoso-Reyes spent her summers and weekends picking blueberries alongside her parents and siblings. She was one of the almost 100,000 migrant workers who support Michigan’s $100-billion-a-year food and agriculture industry. Now a trained social worker and the director of Western… Read More
USCIS Changes How Processing Times Are Posted
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that beginning on January 4, 2017, it has changed how it posts processing times. Rather that listing weeks or months, it now provides specific dates. This is a small initial step toward providing better customer service and giving individuals and employers the… Read More
Former Dean of Yale Law School Says to Reject Immigrants is to Reject ‘Exactly the Thing That Makes Americans Unique’
Harold Hongju Koh knows exactly how much the children of immigrants are capable of achieving in a short period of time. “Through educational opportunities, [they] have extraordinary upward mobility in one generation,” says Koh. “My own family is proof of that.” His parents, who met after coming to the United States… Read More
DHS Secretary Nominee John Kelly’s Resume is Thin on Immigration
Earlier this month, President-elect Donald Trump selected retired General John Kelly to be his nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). There is not much in the record to indicate Kelly’s views on immigrants and immigration. In February of this year, Kelly retired as commander of the… Read More
Robots, Not Immigrants, Are Replacing U.S. Manufacturing Workers
There is significant evidence that immigrants boost the economy, create jobs, and bolster innovation. However, President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly stated he wants to “put American workers first” by restricting immigration. Some Americans who are justifiably concerned about the economy, unemployment, and offshoring mistakenly believe… Read More
What Was the U.S. Government’s Last Experience With a Muslim Registry?
Along the campaign trail, then-candidate Donald Trump promised a special registry and database tracking system for Muslims in the United States. Although his spokesperson later claimed that he “never advocated for any registry or system that tracks individuals based on their religion,” President-Elect Trump is currently being advised… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
