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Immigration

Immigraton in the U.S.



While immigration has played an important role in the building

and formation of America, new federal laws have resulted in mass

immigration.   "America was primarily founded on immigrants,

however, immigration must be controlled legally, and immigrants

should be treated equally despite what country they come from.

America has the most liberal laws towards immigrants than any other

country." Luis Barker, Chief Patrol Agent In-Charge, US Border Patrol,

El Paso, TX.   Throughout history,   Congress has enacted laws and has

had to amend them to control the flow of both legal and illegal

migration to the United States.  



In 1948, legislation was first enacted in an effort to control the

number of applicants fleeing persecution; it permitted 205,000

refugees to enter the United States.   In 1952, Congress set in place

major regulations setting parameters and quotas mostly for the

eastern hemisphere and leaving the western hemisphere unrestricted.

In 1953, congress was again faced with having to increase the

number of refugees from 205,000 to 415,000.   In order to qualify as a

refugee one must have a well founded fear of persecution, not be

firmly resettled in a third country, and must not be an aggravated

felon.   In 1965, the national origin's quota system was abolished but

still maintained was the principle of numerical by establishing

170,000 hemispheric and 20,000 per country ceilings and a seven

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category preference   system.   This system included the spouses of

lawful resident aliens, brother and sisters of United States citizens,

skilled and unskilled workers.   To present date spouses and minor

children of US citizens are exempt any quota system.   In 1980, the

refugee act removed them from the preference category and

established clear criteria and procedures for their admission.   In

1986, Congress was faced with yet another national crisis which it

attempted to resolve by enacting the Immigration Reform...