Immigration and Citizenship |
| Introduction and Scope |
This webguide is intended to provide information to people who are planning to immigrate to the United States and obtain a Visa (legal alien status) or who have already immigrated and are seeking resident status (obtaining a green card) or citizenship (naturalization). It includes guides to immigrating to the U.S. and applying for naturalization, links to related government agency websites, and applicable federal laws and regulations. |
| Locating Print Copies of Government Publications |
Many of the print publications listed in this webguide can be found in Federal Depository Libraries. These libraries provide free public access to federal government information, and are located all over the country. Follow this link to find a depository library near you. When looking for a document in a depository library, it is important to have the SuDocs number. This is the number listed in the citation that begins with a letter and includes a colon, such as Y 3.2:IM 6/AM 3. SuDocs numbers are used to classify documents in depository libraries, just as call numbers organize books in other libraries. If you want to look for a document in a depository library, look for the word "depository" in the citation, and note the SuDocs number. Some of these publications are also available for purchase through the U.S. Government Online Bookstore. To find documents here, it is important to have an item's Stock Number. This is the number written with dashes, in three parts, such as S/N 027-002-00366-7. Make note of an item's stock number and then search for it here. |
| General Information |
Immigration and Naturalization Service. Citizenship Education and Naturalization Information. GPO, 1987. J 21.9/2:Ed 8. This book discusses the rights and responsibilities of being a United States citizen, including rights guaranteed by the Constitution. General information on becoming a citizen is also provided. It is available from the U.S. Government Online bookstore for $4.75 in the U.S., or $6.75 for those living outside of the U.S. S/N 027-002-00366-7 Immigration and Naturalization Service. A Guide to Naturalization. INS, 2000. J 21.6/3:N 21/3/2000. Depository. <http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/services/natz/English.pdf> This document includes benefits and responsibilities of citizenship, eligibility requirements, the naturalization process, and frequently asked questions. |
| Government Agency Websites |
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/index.htm As of March 1, 2003, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has become the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security. The BCIS website includes:
Immigration and Naturalization Service. Statistical Yearbook of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. INS, 1978-. Annual. J 21.2/10:(DATE). . Depository<http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/aboutus/statistics/ybpage.htm> The 2001 edition of the Statistical Yearbook is available from the U.S. Government Bookstore, for $40.00 in the U.S. or for $56.00 for those living outside of the U.S. S/N 027-022-00500-7 Bureau of Consular Affairs http://www.travel.state.gov/ The Bureau of Consular Affairs formulates laws, regulations and policies relating to immigration, and consular services provided to American citizens abroad. It includes sections on citizenship and nationality, and on immigrant Visas. Bureau of International Labor Affairs http://www.dol.gov/ilab/ The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), part of the Department of Labor, researches and formulates international economic, trade, immigration, and labor policies. Social Security Administration http://www.ssa.gov/ Lawfully admitted aliens with permission to work in the U.S. need a Social Security number. The SSA website will tell you what you need to know about getting one.
Click here to order a free copy of this brochure from the Federal Citizen Information Center. U.S. Census Bureau http://www.census.gov The Census Bureau maintains data on the people and the economy of the United States. |
| Legislation |
The United States Code includes the general and permanent laws of the United States. Title 8 deals with aliens and nationality. Online - 2003 edition: United States Code http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/ Title 8: Aliens and Nationality: http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title8/title8.html Chapter 6: Immigration http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title8/chapter6_.html Chapter 11: Nationality http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title8/chapter11_.html Chapter 12: Immigration and Nationality http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title8/chapter12_.html Chapter 13: Immigration and Naturalization Service http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title8/chapter13_.html Print - 2000 edition: Superintendent of Documents. United States Code. GPO, Annual. Y 1.2/5:(DATE). Depository. Superintendent of Documents. United States Code, Volume 3. GPO, Annual. Y 1.2/5:2000/V. 3. Depository. The print version of the 2000 edition, volume 3 (which contains title 8), is available from the U.S. Government bookstore, for $73.00 in the U.S., or $102.20 to those living outside of the U.S. S/N 052-001-00467-1 |
| Regulations |
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The Code of Federal Regulations contains regulations which are written to carry out the laws in the U.S. Code (above). Title 8 deals with Aliens and Nationality. Online: Code of Federal Regulations (2002-2003) http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html Title 8: Aliens and Nationality (2003) http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/8cfrv1_03.html Print - 2003 edition: Office of the Federal Register. Code of Federal Regulations 8, Aliens and Nationality. GPO, Annual. AE 2.106/3:8/(DATE). Depository. The print edition of Title 8 is available from the U.S. Government bookstore for $58.00 in the U.S., or $81.20 to those outside of the U.S. S/N 869-050-00022-9 The microfiche edition is available from the U.S. Government bookstore for $2.00 in the U.S., or $2.80 to those living outside of the U.S. S/N 869-051-00022-5 |
| This website was
created and is maintained by Jaclyn
Mussehl. Last update: April 15, 2003. |