Immigration Laws

Immigration to the U.S. has always reflected a major source of population growth. Consequently, U.S. immigration law has evolved and kept pace with new demands and developments. With great emphasis on the 9/11 incidents, contemporary immigration laws have changed to accommodate both safety and regulation. The two most important facets of U.S. immigration incorporate recent immigration laws and the visa application.

U.S. Immigration Laws

The main laws concerning immigration and naturalization include the 1990 Immigration Act (IMMACT), the Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA), and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA). First, the IMMACT places a limit on the number of immigrants into the US each year; currently, the number is set to 700,000. Next, both the AEDPA and IIRIRA represent the myriad of categories of illicit activity where immigrants can be detained or deported. The AEDPA provides more stringent methods to deter terrorism and to establish an effective death penalty to convicted criminals. On the other hand, the IIRIRA addresses the larger issue of illegal immigration and individuals who are currently “unlawfully present.” Thus the IIRIRA affects both illegal and legal immigration; its sections allow for an expedited removal of illegal aliens and impose many new restrictions on foreign travelers.

Visas

Any foreigner who wishes to enter the United States must obtain a visa. Essentially, there are two types of visas: non-immigrant and immigrant. A visa does not guarantee an individual the entrance into the U.S. Instead, a visa serves as the initial permission to seek entry at a designated entry port; the final admission is conducted at the port of entry by a U.S. immigrations officer. The immigration visa process is both lengthy and expensive—applicants may pay over $1,000 to become permanent residents. To obtain a visa, an individual must visit a US Embassy with the appropriate documents (passport, application, travel/employment documents, and payment fees) to submit the application to the consular officer. In addition, an immigration visa is only obtainable if the immigrant is sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative or a prospective employer. The entire process often takes 2-3 years to complete. Finally, a green card is necessary for lawful residency and employment within the United States.

The entire immigration process can be both complicated and time-consuming. For additional information, visit the United States Immigration website, or contact a U.S. embassy.