and associated legal rights, duties, and obligations of aliens in the United

states. It also provides means by which certain aliens can become naturalized

citizens with full rights of citizenship. Immigration law serves as a

gatekeeper for the nation's border: it determines who may enter, how

long they may stay and when they must leave.

The United States has a long history of immigration laws. The Immigration

and Nationality Act of 1952, (INA) with some major, and many minor

changes, continues to be the basic immigration law of the country. The most

significant ammendment to the INA was in 1965 which abolished the natural

origin provisions, and established a new quota system.

For INA purposes, an "alien" is any person who is not a citizen or a national

of the United States. There are different categories of aliens: resident and

nonresident, immigrant and nonimmigrant, documented and undocumented

States have limited legislative authority regarding immigration, and 28 U.S.C.

§ 1251 details the full extent of state jurisdiction. Generally, 28 U.S.C. § 994

nt details the federal sentencing guidelines for

Congress has total and complete authority over immigration. Power of the

enforce U.S. immigration laws.

the newer immigrants from southern and eastern Europe, favoring immigration from northwestern Europe, and

British Isles. During the 1870s immigrants from southern and eastern Europe became much more common.

President is limited to policies on refugees. Unless the issue concerns the

http://www.missouri.edu/~socbrent/immigr.htm

visas are primary issued to tourists and temporary business visitors.

The need to stem illegal immigration prompted Congress to enact the

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