1. Section 1, Nation of Immigrants

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Immigration Reform Act of 1965  Got rid of national origin quota  Set up 2 categories of immigrants by hemisphere 1. Western – 120,000 2. 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?

7. Recent Reforms  Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 1. 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