Immigration: Meaning, Rights, Permits, Impacts & Challenges

What is Immigration?

Immigration occurs when individuals relocate to a new nation to live permanently. They may be seeking safety, better employment, or chances for themselves and their family. This procedure generally includes legal processes to become a citizen. Immigration has historically served to establish nations and is still a contentious issue as countries decide how to handle this flow of people. Immigration can be said to be a process that involves legal steps to become a citizen in a new country.

Key Takeaways:

• Immigration refers to the process of relocating to a new country without the right to citizenship.
• Family reunions, economic opportunities, or the need for shelter in another country may be the driving forces behind immigration.
• The immigration process may be difficult and involves a lot of factors, such as age limitations, waiting periods, and the degree of expertise required for the job.

Rights and Permits under Immigration Law

1. Visa Entry Permission

Foreign nationals must get permission to enter and stay in a country, which is often in the form of a visa or an entry permit. The particular visa requirements and categories vary according to the purpose of the trip and the country’s immigration rules. Below is the major categories of visas:

• Visitor Visas: Enable people to enter the nation for tourism, family visits, and other transitory purposes.
• Work visas: Allow foreign nationals to work in the country; usually issued to people with certain talents or employment offers from local firms.
• Student Visas: Issued to overseas students who intend to study at the country’s educational establishments.
• Family Visas: Allow family members or partners of nationals or permanent residents to accompany them to the country.

2. Temporary and Permanent Residency

Immigration law provides the conditions for temporary and permanent residency, which are frequently based on considerations such as the individual’s links to the nation, the sort of job, and the presence of family members. Two types of residency permits are:

• Temporary Residence Permits: Allow foreign nationals to stay in the country for a limited time, often based on the term of their visas.
• Permanent Residence Permits: Allow persons to live and work in the nation permanently, subject to specific criteria, resulting in eligibility for citizenship in many situations.

3. Refugee and Asylum Policies

Countries have particular laws and regulations in place to protect and help refugees and asylum seekers escaping persecution or conflict in their native countries.

• Refugee Status: Awarded to anyone who fits the 1951 Refugee Convention’s definition of a refugee, which is someone who has a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a certain social group.
• Asylum: A type of protection offered to those who have fled their home country owing to a legitimate fear of persecution but do not fulfill the technical criteria of a refugee. Asylum seekers must apply upon entering the host nation and have their claims thoroughly investigated.

4. Citizenship and Naturalization

Immigration law establishes the requirements and processes for attaining citizenship by birth, descent, or naturalization.

• Citizenship by Birth: Individuals born inside the country’s boundaries are automatically awarded citizenship, with certain limitations.
• Citizenship by Descent: Achieved by persons having one or both parents who are citizens of the nation in issue.
• Citizenship by Naturalization: A process in which eligible foreign nationals, such as long-term residents or spouses of citizens, can apply for citizenship after meeting certain requirements, such as language proficiency, knowledge of the country’s history, culture, and legal system, and good character.

Impacts of Immigration

1. Economic Impact: Immigration can have both types of impact; i.e., positive and negative effects on the economy. Immigrants often contribute to economic growth by filling labor shortages, starting businesses, and paying taxes. They can also drive innovation and entrepreneurship. However, in some cases, immigrants may compete with native workers for jobs and put downward pressure on wages in certain sectors.

2. Labor Market Effects: Immigrants can affect the labor market in several ways. They may take on jobs that native workers are unwilling to do, particularly in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and construction. However, they may also compete with native workers for employment, especially in low-skilled occupations.

3. Fiscal Impact: The fiscal impact of immigration depends on factors such as the skill level of immigrants, their employment rates, and the structure of the tax and welfare systems in the receiving country. While immigrants often contribute more in taxes than they receive in benefits, there can be short-term fiscal costs associated with providing public services to immigrant populations.

4. Social and Cultural Impact: Immigration can have significant social and cultural implications for both immigrants and the receiving society. Immigrants bring diverse languages, religions, and traditions, which can enrich the cultural fabric of the host country. However, cultural differences can also lead to social tensions and challenges related to integration and assimilation.

5. Demographic Impact: In countries with aging populations and declining birth rates, immigration can help offset demographic challenges by increasing the working-age population and supporting economic growth. However, rapid population growth driven by immigration can also strain infrastructure and public services if not adequately managed.

Challenges under Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration, also known as undocumented immigration, presents one of the most significant and politically divisive challenges in Western democracies. It refers to the entry of foreign-born individuals into a country without proper documentation, overstaying temporary visas, or violating terms of admission. Most common challenges faced by Immigrants are:

1. Media Influence on Discourse: The media plays a significant role in shaping public perception and policy debates surrounding illegal immigration. Scholars often criticize the media for instilling moral panic regarding the scope and repercussions of undocumented immigration.

2. Statistical Trends: In the United States, the number of illegal immigrants peaked at 12.2 million in 2007, constituting 4% of the overall population. By 2016, estimates suggested a decrease to 10.7 million, comprising 3.3% of the total population. These statistics highlight the fluctuating nature of illegal immigration over time.

3. Global Origins of Unauthorized Immigration: Unauthorized immigration stems from diverse regions worldwide, including Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. However, historically, the largest source of unauthorized migrants in the United States has been Mexico.

Conclusion

Immigration is the permanent departure from one’s original nation to settle somewhere else, whereas emigration is the complete abandonment of one’s homeland. Individuals who immigrate often seek better living conditions, employment opportunities, or family reunification in another country. Immigration law refers to a wide variety of laws and processes that foreign nationals must follow in order to lawfully enter and live in a country. The main purpose of immigration law is to grant citizenship and monitor illegal immigration to all foreign nationals who enter the country.

Immigration- FAQs

What is the purpose of immigration law?

Immigration law provides a controlled immigration system, handles national safety and security issues, and supports economic growth by managing the entrance of migrants.

How many legal immigrants are permitted in the United States each year?

According to the Immigration Act of 1990, each nation receives 7% of the available green cards for both family and employment-based immigration. This implies that each nation is allowed a maximum of 44,100 family-based immigrants and 14,700 employment-based immigrants every fiscal year.

How can an immigrant be a citizen of USA?

He or she must be accepted into the United States as a legal permanent resident (LPR) and dwell in the United States for at least five consecutive years.

How long does a green card remain valid?

Currently, green cards are valid for ten years, or two years for conditional residents. The green card has to be renewed before it expires.

What are the options for bringing my family members to the U.S?

Employees who are staying and working in the United States on certain types of employment visas may be allowed to bring their family on temporary visas that are valid for the same period as the original employment visa. US citizens and LPRs can apply to bring their family members to the United States permanently.

Note: The information provided is sourced from various websites and collected data; if discrepancies are identified, kindly reach out to us through comments for prompt correction.