Hope for a Brighter Future:
Immigration Today

About how many immigrants come to the United States per year?

Since 2000, approximately one million per year.

Where do these immigrants come from?

The top twelve countries of legal immigrants’ origins in 2006 were:

• Mexico
• China
• Phillipines
• India
• Cuba
• Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Vietnam
• Jamaica
• South Korea
• Guatemala

How do they get here?

Needless to say, the process is not as easy as boarding a boat bound for Ellis Island. Hordes of paperwork exist before the process of becoming a citizen even begins: a potential immigrant must:

• be eligible for consideration as an immigrant for a valid reason (ie family reunification, needed work skills, employment creation)
• have an immigrant visa petition approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), filed by either an employer or relative
• have a labor certification report filed if emigrating for reasons of employment
• obtain an immigrant visa number through the State Department

What procedures do they need to follow to obtain citizenship?

The procedures for obtaining citizenship are just as lengthy and bogged by paperwork. A potential citizen must:

• apply for permanent resident status using USCIS forms
• must be admitted to the United States as a “lawful permanent resident”
• must reside continuously in the United States for five years prior to filing for citizenship
• must possess a rudimentary knowledge of United States history and government
• must be able to speak, write, and read ordinary English unless a handicap precludes ability to do so
• must possess “good moral character and an affinity for the principles of the U.S. Constitution”
• must be over 18 years of age

Will they have any restrictions on their rights once they become naturalized?

There are no restrictions on a naturalized citizen’s rights, barring loss of the ability to run for president.

Why do people still emigrate to the United States?

Immigrants still flock to the United States to avoid religious persecution, political instability, and social unrest, and for the opportunities being in a “free country” presents. A naturalized Canadian citizen stated in 2008, “it does take a lot of time, money, persistence and patience to get your citizenship, but I definitely thought it was worth it.”