Vocabulary
What is an alien (as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act)?
Any individual who is not a US citizen or US national
What is the most common justification to obtain a green card in the US (2024)?
By being an immediate relative of a US citizen
Name the Department that is responsible for overseeing and enforcing immigration laws in the US.
Department of Homeland Security
What is birthright citizenship?
Section 1 of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, adopted in 1868, grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” with a few exceptions
In 2024, which of these 5 countries has the highest largest number of international migrants: US, Germany, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
US; 52 million immigrants
The countries listed are the 5 countries with the most immigrants
What is a green card?
Also known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows you to live and work permanently in the US.
What is the most common birthplace of US immigrants (2024)?
Mexico (23%)
What year was the Department of Homeland Security established?
For DOUBLE points: What event motivated it's creation?
2002
Bonus: 9/11
Before any federal legislation on immigration who had jurisdiction over immigration?
States had the jurisdiction
In 2024, which of these 5 countries had the highest proportion or percentage of international migrants in their population: US, Germany, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia; 40% of their population (13 million individuals) while the US has 52 million immigrants comprising of only 15% of the population
What is a visa?
An official document that is placed in a traveler’s passport to allow them to legally enter the country.
What region is the most common birthplace of all immigrants (2024)?
Asia (28%)
Name 2 of the 3 agencies under the Department of Homeland Security
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
What was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882?
It was the first significant law restricting immigration into the US. Passed by Congress and signed by President Arthur. This act provided an absolute 10-year ban on Chinese laborers immigrating to the United States.
20% of all international migrants are ______ .
Refugees
What does the DHS define as a removal or deportation?
The formal removal of a noncitizen from the United States for violating immigration law.
What region did the majority of immigrants come from in the mid-1800s until the early-1900s?
Europe
Which agency handles green cards and naturalization?
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
What is the category of crime (Civil, Felony, or Misdemeanor) for residing in the U.S. without legal authorization?
It is a civil violation. This is different from unauthorized entry (and reentry) which are more serious levels of categorization.
~4% of the world's population are _____ .
What does the DHS define as a return?
Refers to individuals turned away at the border prior to entering the US
From 2009 to 2018, which racial group comprised the majority of new immigrant arrivals: Asians or Hispanics?
Asians
What was the purpose of Ellis Island?
A stop for immigration checks, previously immigration was handled by state
What is one act that the Immigration and Nationalization Act 1952 repealed?
The Chinese Exclusion Act
How many countries have birthright citizenship? (Estimate within +/- 5 countries)
38 countries (There are 195 countries in the world)