Immigration Laws
Interesting Facts About United States Immigration Laws
The United States has always been a country that welcomes immigrants. Since its founding, the U.S. has grown and flourished by including people worldwide who wish to come here legally and become Americans. That is why it is so surprising that we have such strict laws concerning immigration today — especially given how easy it is to get into this country!
11.3 million illegal immigrants lived in the United States in 2016, up from 10.9 million in 2011
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that 11.3 million illegal immigrants lived in the United States in 2016, up from 10.9 million in 2011. This is an increase of 3% over the prior five years, or approximately 350,000 people per year (a little less than half of one percent).
There are about two illegal immigrants for each legal immigrant living in America today, and these numbers have been relatively stable since at least 2009 (the earliest data available).
A significant majority of those who are not citizens – both legal and illegal – are Hispanic (about 54%). Over one-quarter (26%) were born outside the U.S. but have become naturalized citizens; only 16% were born inside the country to at least one parent who was also born here, while 7% immigrated before they turned 18.*
President Trump’s immigration plan would prioritize high-skilled immigrants and cut the number of overall green cards issued by 51% within a decade
Trump has proposed an immigration plan that would prioritize high-skilled immigrants and cut the number of overall green cards issued by 51% within a decade.
The president is suggesting that his plan be implemented in stages over 15 years.
In total, it would reduce the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country from 1 million annually to about 500,000 per year.
There are three main ways to become a U.S. citizen
There are three main ways to become a U.S. citizen:
(1) through birth in the United States,
(2) automatically after birth if one parent is a citizen, or
(3) through naturalization later in life. The first method is generally difficult to achieve; personal circumstances can complicate the second; the third requires years of waiting and paperwork.
Congress passed the first naturalization law in 1790, which said only free white persons could become citizens
The children of citizens of the United States that may be born beyond sea, or out of the limit the United States, shall be considered natural born citizens.”
The law limited citizenship to whites because many Americans feared that people from other countries would come to America and take over their jobs. The law also stated that anyone who had renounced their “allegiance” to America could not become a citizen again (and therefore couldn’t vote).
As you can see, there are many ways to come to America and become a citizen. But the process is not easy, and you must understand what kind of visa you need. If you are planning on moving here permanently, then it’s best to start with an E-2 visa or any other nonimmigrant status (such as student status).
It’s also important that your employer sponsors you for this type of visa because they will be responsible for all the paperwork involved in obtaining one from USCIS