Section 1, Nation of Immigrants
Aliens A person who lives in a country and is not a citizen of that country An Immigrant is someone who comes to a country and plans on living there permanently
Types of Aliens Resident aliens – person from another country that has gained citizenship this includes immigrants Non-resident alien – person living in a country for a specified amount of time exchange students, journalists, ect… Enemy alien – citizen of a nation at war with the U.S. Refugees – people fleeing to escape persecution Illegal aliens – someone in a country without a legal permit Passport, visa, entry permit
Rights of Aliens Bill of rights apply to aliens as well as citizens Allowed to own property, attend schools, own a business, use public facilities Required to pay taxes, follow all laws Exempt from jury duty, selective service Not given the right to: vote or travel freely throughout the country
Immigration Policy Controlled by Congress Very few restrictions before 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act – banned Chinese laborers from entering the country Also banned convicts and the mentally handicapped First time an ethnic group was banned Immigration act of 1924 – limited the number of immigrants allowed in the country to 165,000/year 80% decrease from the WWI era
Immigration Reform Act of 1965 Got rid of national origin quota Set up 2 categories of immigrants by hemisphere 1. Western – 120, Rest of World – 170,000 Made preference categories Last in: refugees from communist countries or refugees fleeing natural disasters What can you do for your country?
Recent Reforms Immigration Reform and Control Act of Gave a way for immigrants to gain permanent citizenship and Amnesty to illegal aliens 2. May apply for citizenship after 5 years 3. Banned employers from hiring illegals 4. Applicants must show documentation Immigration Act of 1990 Designed to allow skilled workers in, keep uneducated laborers out Allowed refugees from wars, relatives of US citizens, and those allowed in by private laws