About U.S. Immigration

The United States is commonly seen as an immigrant nation, a melting pot where everyone is welcome to work hard and improve their condition. It's true that immigration has always been an important part of American life, but in reality the U.S. exercises strict control over who can lawfully enter it's borders. Several different tracks of immigration are available depending on the nature of the individual and their reasons for coming.

History

During the colonial period, immigrants to the U.S were mainly white Europeans seeking either freedom from religious persecution, or sent to establish colonies by their governments. Of course, many slaves were brought to America during this time so that by the writing of the U.S Constitution slavery was already a well-established institution. When the influx of immigrants from northern European nations like Ireland occurred in the mid-nineteenth century, uniquely American culture had been established and before immigrants could be assimilated, they usually congregated in ethnic ghettos. In the early twentieth-century, immigrants arrived mainly from Southern and Eastern European countries like Italy, and since 1965 most immigrants have been from Latin America and Asia.

Significance

Though often controversial, immigration has always been an important source of cheap labor in the United States, and in periods of prosperity such expansion of the workforce has been welcomed. At other times, immigrants were persecuted and accused of stealing American jobs. Some political groups have seen immigrant pools as a source of votes, and have actively courted their support. Over generations, immigration has been a major force in shifting the demographics of the country, particularly in coastal cities, an effect whose consequences have yet to be fully realized. Today, immigrants fill a crucial niche in several high-tech industries as highly educated and motivated employees.

Types

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service handles three types of immigration to the United States. Temporary visits may require a visa unless traveling from one of the 34 countries exempted under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Achieving permanent resident status means acquiring a green card, allowing an immigrant to live and work in the U.S. Some refugees seeking political asylum, such as Cuban exiles who are allowed to remain in the country if they reach U.S. soil, receive preferential treatment in the legal residence process. Ultimately, many immigrants of all types seek naturalization, a lengthy process that grants an immigrant all the rights and responsibilities of native-born American citizens.

Features

Visitations visas are granted to individuals planning a limited stay for well-defined purposes of business, education or leisure. Applying for a visa is done through the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy, requires a personal interview, and is not in itself is not a guarantee of entry into the United States. Obtaining a green for permanent legal residence is subject to quotas based on country of residence or origin. Most are issued through sponsorship by a presumed future employer, subject also to quotas on specific types of work. Some immigrants obtain their legal residency through the petition of a relative who's already achieved citizenship or permanent legal residence status, or by marriage. Legal residence is a prerequisite to naturalization, which requires knowledge of Constitutional principals, the ability to speak English, and good moral character.

Function

Of course, for every lawful immigrant to the United States, there are several more who attempt to enter illegally or to cause harm. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is an agency of the Department of Homeland Security charged with protecting the integrity of the immigration system by targeting criminal networks and terrorist organizations. ICE works not just along the nation's physical borders, but through the financial system and at U.S. job sites, to turn away or deport illegal immigrants and support public safety.

Resources

• Historical Immigration and Naturalization Legislation
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Immigration to the United States