Immigration Law

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Overview

In the United States, immigration laws bear political overtones because they touch on the sensitive issues of national sovereignty and homeland defense. These laws dictate who may enter the country, as well as the length and duration of their visit. These laws also allow selected non-citizens to naturalize and become citizens of this country.

U.S. Immigration Laws

U.S. immigration laws treat persons as either U.S. citizens or aliens. The Fourteenth Amendment states that U.S. citizens include "persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to [its] jurisdiction." Therefore, all persons who are not U.S. citizens are aliens. 28 U.S. Code Section 1101.

In terms of aliens, U.S. immigration law further classifies them according to their immigration status, with each group afforded different rights and obligations, such as the right to reside in the United States, the right to sponsor relatives, and the right to work in the United States. Aliens may be lawful permanent residents (i.e., green card holders), immigrant visa holders, temporary lawful visitors or undocumented illegal aliens.

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  • Proposed Rule - Forwarding of Asylum Applications to the Department of State

    Executive Office for Immigration Review
    Proposed Rule
    Forwarding of Asylum Applications to the Department of State
    ,
    67099-67102 [2011-28117]
    Proposed Rules Federal Register Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 210 / Monday, October 31, 2011 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Executive Office for Immigration Review 8 CFR Parts 1208 and 1240 [EOIR Docket No. 173; AG Order No. 3307-2011] RIN 1125-AA65 Forwarding of Asylum Applications to the Department of State AGENCY: Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Department of Justice is planning to amend its regulations to alter... [read document]
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  • Rule - Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana ...

    Executive Office for Immigration Review
    Rule
    Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Correcting Amendment
    ,
    67969 [E9-30287]
    DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 8 CFR Parts 1, 208, 209, 212, 214, 217, 235, 245, 274a, 286, and 299 [CIS No. 2460-08; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0039] RIN 1615-AB77 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Executive Office for Immigration Review 8 CFR Parts 1001, 1208, 1209, 1212, 1235, 1245 and 1274a [EOIR Docket No. 169 AG Order No. 3120-2009] RIN 1125-AA67 Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS; Executive... [read document]
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  • Rule - Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

    Executive Office for Immigration Review
    Rule
    Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
    ,
    62207-62208 [E9-28417]
    Rules and Regulations Federal Register DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 8 CFR Parts 1, 208, 209, 212, 214, 217, 235, 245, 274a, 286, and 299 [CIS No. 2460-08; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0039] RIN 1615-AB77 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Executive Office for Immigration Review 8 CFR Parts 1001, 1208, 1209, 1212, 1235 and 1245 and 1274a [EOIR Docket No. 169 AG Order No. 3120-2009] RIN 1125-AA67 Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands AGENCY: U.S.... [read document]
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  • Rule - Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

    Executive Office for Immigration Review
    Rule
    Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
    ,
    55726-55744 [E9-26094]
    Part V Department of Homeland Security 8 CFR Parts 1, 208, 209, et al. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review 8 CFR Parts 1001, 1208, 1209, et al. Application of Immigration Regulations to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Interim Final Rule DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 8 CFR Parts 1, 208, 209, 212, 214, 217, 235, 245, 274a, 286, and 299 [CIS No. 2460-08; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2008-0039] RIN 1615-AB77 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Executive Office for... [read document]
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  • Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

    Executive Office for Immigration Review
    Notice
    Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
    ,
    38231 [E9-18318]
    DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Executive Office for Immigration Review [OMB Number 1125-0010] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested ACTION: 30-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals from a Decision of a USCIS Officer. The Department of Justice (DOJ), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and... [read document]
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