50th Anniversary of the INA
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For a large part of U.S. history, immigration policies were largely based on a preferential system focusing on race and national origin. Visa quotas excluded individuals from African or Asian countries, as well as from many places of origin in eastern Europe. Lawful entry and presence was instead regularly granted to white individuals and families from Northwestern European countries, which kept the demographics of America fairly steady. However, with the civil rights movement in the 1960s, many people advocated for an overall end to widespread discrimination and racism–and that included immigration policies.
In 1965, after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act, Congress voted the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) into law. This law significantly changed the immigration policies of the United States and aimed to open the doors for immigrants not based on race or country of origin, but instead on other important factors. Some of these factors included family ties to the U.S. and professional or educational aspirations. The Act also permitted U.S. businesses to employ foreign workers if needed to fill certain jobs for which suitable applicants were not available in the United States, so long as the Department of Labor certifies that the labor is necessary. Such labor certification is still one of the most common ways of obtaining a visa to come and work in the U.S.
Long-lasting Effects of INA
In 1965 when the INA was enacted, about 87 percent of individuals coming into the United States were white Europeans. In 2010, an estimated 90 percent of immigrants originated from countries outside of Europe. In addition, 85 percent of the American population in 1965 was white and, now, estimates indicate that white non-Hispanic individuals will no longer be the majority in the United States by the 2040s.
While the INA did much to diversify the population of the United States, the Act is not perfect. There were and remain flaws regarding the treatment of immigrants from neighboring countries versus the treatment of immigrants from far removed countries. As many of these flaws still exist, many people believe we may be on the brink of the next great immigration reform that will hopefully further improve immigration policies and focus on a path to lawful residency and citizenship.
Find Out How Our Chicago Immigration Attorneys Can Assist You
In recent times, there are many different ways for individuals to come into the U.S. to live, work, and be with their families. The laws provide immigrants with many rights and provide opportunities for children of immigrant families to receive the same education and training as children born in the U.S. If you are thinking about coming to live in the United States, if you would like to discuss your current immigration status options, if you would like to sponsor a family member, or if you have any other type of immigration matter please call the experienced Chicago immigration lawyers at Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, LLC at 312-332-2550 today.
Lo que dicen nuestras clientas
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Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Kevin Racia were the attorneys handling a complex immigration case of mine. On the assurance of both attorneys that the case is going to be presented in a systematic way, I went ahead with confidence. I was able to become a legal permanent resident. I highly recommend Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC for all your immigration needs.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the remarkable team of Khiabett Osuna, Brittani Rivera, and Rafael Rodriguez, who were responsible for the successful release from detention of one of our parishioners, husband and father of four, after over 10 weeks of incarceration. From his detention to the payment of his bail and from Immigration Court to his reunion with his family, there were blessings aplenty made possible through the…
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my attorney, Brittni Rivera, for her professionalism and support during a very difficult time. I was in detention for 6 months, and thanks to her hard work and filing a habeas corpus petition, I was finally released. In addition, when I was released, ICE did not return my documents. Brittni did not ignore this issue — she took action and successfully…
My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
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