Primer on U.S. Immigration Policy

Congress research service

Description

U.S. immigration policy is governed largely by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which was first codified in 1952 and has beenamendedsignificantly severaltimes since. U.S. immigration policy contains two major aspects. One facilitates migration flows into the United States according to principles of admis sion that are based upon national interest. These broad principles currently include family reunification, U.S. labor market contribution, origin-country diversity,andhumanitarianassistance. TheUnitedStateshaslongdistinguishedpermanentfromtemporary immigration.Permanent immigration occurs through family and employer-sponsored categories, the diversity immigrant visa lottery, and refugee and asylee admissions. Temporary immigration occurs through the admission of foreign nationals for specific purposes and limited periodsoftime,andencompassestwodozencategories thatincludeforeigntourists,students,temporaryworkers,and diplomats. TheothermajoraspectofU.S.immigration policyinvolvesrestrictingentrytoandremovingpersonsfromtheUnitedStates who lack authorization to be in the country , are identified as criminal aliens , or whos e presence in the United States is determined to notserve thenationalinterest.Such immigration enforcementis broadly divided betweenborder enforcement—atandbetweenU.S.land,air, and sea portsofentry—andotherenforcementtasksincluding interior enforcement,detention,removal,worksiteenforcement,andcombattingimmigrationfraud. ThedualroleofU.S. immigration policy—admissionsandenforcement—createschallengesforbalancingmajorpolicy priorities,suchas ensuringnationalsecurity,facilitating trade andcommerce,protectingpublic safety,and fostering international cooperation.

 

Primer on U.S. Immigration Policy

U.S. immigration policy is governed largely by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which was first codified in 1952 and has beenamendedsignificantly severaltimes since. U.S. immigration policy contains two major aspects. One facilitates migration flows into the United States according to principles of admis sion that are based upon national interest. These broad principles currently include family reunification, U.S. labor market contribution, origin-country diversity,andhumanitarianassistance. TheUnitedStateshaslongdistinguishedpermanentfromtemporary immigration.Permanent immigration occurs through family and employer-sponsored categories, the diversity immigrant visa lottery, and refugee and asylee admissions. Temporary immigration occurs through the admission of foreign nationals for specific purposes and limited periodsoftime,andencompassestwodozencategories thatincludeforeigntourists,students,temporaryworkers,and diplomats. TheothermajoraspectofU.S.immigration policyinvolvesrestrictingentrytoandremovingpersonsfromtheUnitedStates who lack authorization to be in the country , are identified as criminal aliens , or whos e presence in the United States is determined to notserve thenationalinterest.Such immigration enforcementis broadly divided betweenborder enforcement—atandbetweenU.S.land,air, and sea portsofentry—andotherenforcementtasksincluding interior enforcement,detention,removal,worksiteenforcement,andcombattingimmigrationfraud. ThedualroleofU.S. immigration policy—admissionsandenforcement—createschallengesforbalancingmajorpolicy priorities,suchas ensuringnationalsecurity,facilitating trade andcommerce,protectingpublic safety,and fostering international cooperation.