The Basics of Immigration Law
American immigration laws have an enormous impact on the lives of many Americans. An estimated 16.6 million people have at least one family member who is an undocumented immigrant and an incredible 86% of those undocumented immigrants have been living in the U.S. for at least seven years. In 2010 alone, households headed by unauthorized immigrants paid a total of $11.2 billion in state and local taxes. Besides undocumented immigrants, foreign-born citizens are also invested in the country’s immigration laws. In 2010, the U.S. was home to 39.9 million foreign-born people, pretty much evenly divided between the sexes.
Illegal immigrants laws have been changing rapidly over the last year, so that it has become difficult to keep up with the latest on immigration laws. Here, we’ll provide a few immigration law facts in the form of a brief overview of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013.
Basics of Illegal Immigration Law
The Senate’s 844-Page Proposal
A comprehensive immigration reform plan aimed at stopping illegal immigration and dealing with 11 million illegal immigrants already in the country was introduced to illegal immigrants law. It included a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million, especially designed to assist young immigrants who arrived illegally as children.
The Path to Citizenship
Early on, the illegal immigrants laws were going to allow for a 10 year pathway to citizenship for the 11 million, but the span soon stretched to 13 years. Ten years are spent as a “resident provision immigrant” awaiting a green card, and then three more are spent waiting for citizenship.
Enhanced Enforcement Plan
The new plan calls for a border security trigger to ensure a reduction in future illegal immigration. Essentially, a border trigger sets measurable thresholds an preconditions for improvements to border security.
Provisional ‘RPI’ Status
Registered Provisional Immigrant status allows immigrants living in the country illegally to remain without fear of deportation or removal. According to illegal immigrants laws, any immigrants in the midst of deportation or removal proceedings who are eligible for RPI must be given the opportunity to get it.
New W Visas for Lower Skilled Workers
W visas create guest-worker programs for lower wage workers like housekeepers, landscapers, retail workers, restaurant staff, and some construction workers. With W visas, immigrant workers can come into the country to fill jobs not being filled by American workers.
Relief for Childhood Arrivals
The DREAM Act was introduced to give legal status to thousands of the children of illegal immigrants who have no legal national identity. The case for this illegal immigrants law is made on social, moral, and economic grounds.
Illegal immigrants laws are being continuously changed and updated. If you have a question about immigration law, get in touch with an immigration attorney in your area. His or her expertise can help you find the answers you need. Good references here.
