Research Guides: HS 307a: Immigrant Integration in the United States: Executive Sources

General Searches for Government Information

USA.gov
USA.gov is the general search engine for all types of digital government information, including state websites.

Immigration: Records of the INS, 1880-1930 This link opens in a new window
Covers the investigations made during the massive immigration wave at the turn of the 20th century, including Asian immigration, especially Japanese and Chinese migration, to California, Hawaii, and other states; Mexican immigration to the U.S. from 1906-1930; and European immigration. There are also extensive files on the INS's regulation of prostitution and white slavery, and on suppression of radical aliens.

Executive Orders

Executive Orders
The President of the United States manages the operations of the Executive branch of Government through Executive orders. After the President signs an Executive order, the White House sends it to the Office of the Federal Register (OFR).
Whitehouse.gov
Find briefings, policies, updates on the president's activities, photos, videos, and ways to get involved. Also includes links to other executive offices: First Lady, Vice President.

The Immigration and Nationality Act

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (also known as McCarran-Walter Act, or Public Law No. 82-414) is the primary piece of federal legislation that defines the process from immigration to citizenship and informs current immigration law. The INA has been amended and changed over the years, so it's important to understand the legislative history of this law.

Significant changes were made by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.

The INA is found in Title 8 of the US Code, under the heading "Aliens and Nationality"

Deparment of Homeland Security

Department of Homeland Security DHS
The DHS was created in 2001 in response to the attacks of September 11th. DHS is the primary agency that oversees issues of immigration.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS
In 2003, the USCIS became responsible for providing immigration-related services such as naturalization and work authorization. This was previously overseen by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Previously the INS, ICE now handles all enforcement of immigration and customs laws.
US Customes and Border Control
Primarily responsible for tracking weapons and preventing terrorists into the country.
DHS FOIA
Find DHS information that has been released through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Department of Justice

Department of Justice
Among many other functions, the DOJ oversees immigration court proceedings.
Executive Office for Immigration Review
The chief function of EOIR is to conduct removal proceedings, which are the proceedings of immigration courts to determine the removability of individuals. There are three components of the EOIR - Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Office of the Chief Immigration Judge (OCIJ) Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO).
Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
The BIA presides over the appeals process for decisions made in individual cases by DHS, immigration judges, and other immigration officials.
Office of the Chief Immigration Judge (OCIJ)
establishes policies and responsible for implementation of those policies in immigration courts.
Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO)
Hears cases involving allegations of employers: (1) knowingly hiring, recruiting, or referring for a fee or the continued employment of unauthorized aliens, failure to comply with employment verification requirements, and requiring indemnity bonds from employees in violation of section 274A of the INA (employer sanctions); (2) immigration-related unfair employment practices in violation of section 274B of the INA; and (3) immigration-related document fraud in violation of 274C of the INA.
Immigration and Employee Righs (IER)
Enforces the anti-discrimination provision of the INA, including 1) citizenship status discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, 2) national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, 3) unfair documentary practices during the employment eligibility verification and 4) retaliation or intimidation.
Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL)
oversees all civil immigration litigation, both affirmative and defensive, and it is responsible for coordinating national immigration matters before the federal district courts and circuit courts of appeals.

Other Executive Agencies

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM)
A division of the State Department, the PRM provides aid and sustainable solutions for refugees, victims of conflict and stateless people around the world, through repatriation, local integration, and resettlement in the US.
Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA)
the Labor Department administers labor certification and attestation programs designed to ensure that the admission of foreign workers into the United States on a permanent or temporary basis will not adversely affect the job opportunities, wages, and working conditions of U.S. workers. BALCA is the appeals board for decisions of this nature by the Secretary of Labor.