Foreign-born persons who have not been naturalized to become U.S. citizens under federal law and the Constitution.

Much of U.S. immigration relates to policies and law related to the legal status of aliens within the country.

Overview

The federal immigration laws determine whether a person is an alien. Generally, a person born in a foreign country is an alien, but a child born in a foreign nation to parents who are U.S. citizens is a U.S. citizen. The term alien also refers to a native-born U.S. citizen who has relinquished U.S. citizenship by living and acquiring citizenship in another country. Aliens are categorized in several ways: resident and nonresident, immigrant and nonimmigrant, documented and undocumented ("illegal").

References

External Links

• Immigration Terms and Definitions Involving Aliens(IRS.gov)
• Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas (State.gov)
• Foreign Labor Certification(U.S. Department of Labor)

Related Resources on FindLaw

• Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visa Types
• How to Apply for Immigrant Status Based on Employment
• The Removal Process
• Temporary Worker Visas
• Frequently Requested IRS Publications

Related Blogs on FindLaw

See Also

• Amnesty
• Asylum
• Citizens
• Deportation
• Immigration and Naturalization
• Parole
• Refugees
• Visa