American Immigration Policy, Citizenship, And The...

Abstract This research describes the legal ins and outs of American immigration policy, citizenship, ‘border control’, and the relationship between foreign policy and constitutional law, regarding refugees. Since the birth of the United States in 1776, citizens, from countries all around the world have considered making the trek to America, in hopes of pursuing a different, more prosperous life. Yet, many of history’s hopeful travellers have learned- legally entering America is potentially the most strenuous part of finding their place, in the country. From the late 18th Century until now, there has been gradual increase not only in the quantity of immigrants from around the world, but also the amount of countries these immigrants are†¦show more content†¦Keywords: immigration, citizenship, aliens, border control Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Reform: America’s Legal System and its Changing Complexion A couple hundred years ago, moving from a foreign country, into the United States, was not a task easily accomplished, but it also did not warrant any sort of organized, legal action. Today, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, have created a complex system for immigrants to gain legal status. Recently, the conversation regarding illegal immigration, the path to citizenship, and management of America’s borders has become a widespread debate. What rights should legal immigrants be granted? Should illegal aliens have rights of their own, or face immediate deportation? Immigration jurisprudence has produced specific language, such as the term ‘alien’, directly affecting the legal and social status of immigrants. Moreover, â€Å"analysis of modern Supreme Court opinions presents empirical date on the incidence of alienage terminology in federal court decisions† (Cunningham, 2011, p.154 5). This paper will discuss the history of U.S. immigration law, the importance of terminology and American economics, in its relationship to jurisprudence and American immigration, as well as specific policy implications provided by Supreme Court cases. Prior to