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History of Immigration

The Immigration Policy Center's Top 10 Resources of 2009

As the year comes to a close, The Immigration Policy Center brings you its top 10 list of resources from 2009.

Published On: Fri, Dec 18, 2009 | Download File

Essential to the Fight: Immigrants in the Military Eight Years After 9/11

From the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, immigrants have made significant contributions to the United States by serving in our military forces. Today, immigrants voluntarily serve in all branches of the U.S. military and are a vital asset to the Department of Defense. To recognize their unique contribution, immigrants serving honorably in the military who are not yet U.S. citizens are granted significant advantages in the naturalization process. Over the past eight years, Congress has amended military-related enlistment and naturalization rules to allow expanded benefits for immigrants and their families and encourage recruitment of immigrants into the U.S. Armed Forces. Without the contributions of immigrants, the military could not meet its recruiting goals and could not fill its need for foreign-language translators, interpreters, and cultural experts. This latest Special Report reflects on the vital role immigrants have and continue to play in keeping our nation safe.

Published On: Mon, Nov 09, 2009 | Download File

De-Romanticizing Our Immigrant Past: Why Claiming "My Family Came Legally" Is Often a Myth

Many people assume that their family immigrated to the U.S. legally, or did it "the right way." In most cases, this statement does not reflect the fact that the U.S. immigration system was very different when their families arrived, and that their families might not have been allowed to enter had today's laws been in effect.

Published On: Tue, Nov 25, 2008 | Download File

Opportunity and Exclusion: A Brief History of U.S. Immigration Policy

As the current debate over undocumented immigration continues to rage, it is important to keep in mind not only that everyone in the United States is ultimately descended from an "immigrant," even Native Americans whose ancestors arrived here thousands of years ago, but that the rules governing immigration change constantly--and often arbitrarily.

Published On: Tue, Nov 25, 2008 | Download File

Why Don't They Just Get In Line? The Real Story of Getting a "Green Card" and Coming to the U.S. Legally

Dispels the myth that undocumented immigrants want to be undocumented, and explains why it is nearly impossible for them to simply get in a line to come legally to the U.S.

Published On: Tue, Mar 04, 2008 | Download File

Why Don't They Come Legally

Answers the question, "why don't undocumented immigrants simply come legally?" and provides basic information on how the U.S. legal immigration system works.

Published On: Thu, Feb 28, 2008 | Download File

Immigration: Long Term Trends and America's Future Arrival Rates, Integration Patterns, and Impact on an Aging Society

Immigration has begun to level off and immigrants are climbing the socio-economic ladder and becoming increasingly important to the U.S. economy as workers, taxpayers, and homebuyers supporting the aging Baby Boom generation.

Published On: Tue, Feb 26, 2008 | Download File

Famous Naturalized U.S. Citizens

A list of famous people who have chosen to become U.S. citizens.

Published On: Sat, Jun 30, 2007 | Download File

The Sins of the Fathers: The Children of Undocumented Immigrants Pay the Price

How should the U.S. treat the children who come to the U.S. with their undocumented parents? If they grow up here like children who are born here, should they be able to go to college or to enlist in the military?  Or should their futures be limited because of a decision to immigrate in which they had no voice? Former Arizona State Senator Alfredo Gutierrez and talk show host on Arizona’s Radio Campesina Network argues against requiring children of undocumented immigrants to pay the price for their parents' decision. Read more...

Published On: Mon, Jan 01, 2007 | Download File

Immigration Enforcement: What Has Been Tried? What Has Been The Result?

Immigration enforcement efforts over the last 20 years and its results.

Published On: Fri, Dec 01, 2006 | Download File