Order Code RS20936
Updated March 19, 2003
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Immigration: A Guide to Internet Sources
Barbara A. Salazar
Information Research Specialist
Information Research Division
Summary
This report identifies selected Web sites from the Internet on immigration topics
in the United States. Selected government, legal, and organizational Web site addresses
are provided. On March 1, 2003, enforcement function and service responsibilities of
the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) transferred to the newly created
Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This report will be updated
periodically as new information becomes available and to ensure the currency of the
Web addresses as a result of the reorganization and during this time of transition.
Selected Web Sites on Immigration Issues
Listed below are selected Web sites examining immigration issues in three
categories: federal government, legal sites, and organizations. A brief description
accompanies each entry with details on related links.
U.S. Government Web Sites
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) reorganized the federal
government with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and
abolished the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), an agency of the Department
of Justice (DOJ). On March 1, 2003, enforcement function and service responsibilities of
the INS transferred to the DHS as the Bureau of Border Security (BBS) and Bureau of
Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) under the DHS Directorate of Border and
Transportation Security (BTS). (See CRS Report RL31560, Homeland Security
Proposals: Issues Regarding Transfer of Immigration Agencies and Functions, for
additional details.)
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) under the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) Directorate of Border and Transportation Security (BTS)
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/index.htm]
This main page of the BCIS site (formerly the INS Web site) is the gateway to the
latest immigration news and to links for specific “Hot Topics” such as:
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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This is the BCIS
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/aboutus/thisisimm/index.htm]
Details the priorities of the new BCIS to promote national security, continue to
eliminate immigration adjudications backlogs, administer the Visa program, work
authorizations and other permits, and provide services for new residents and citizens by
improving on customer services. The Director of the BCIS will report directly to the
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.
Case Work–Resources for Immigration Case Workers
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/aboutus/congress/resource.htm]
Information for congressional offices on assisting constituents with a variety of
immigration questions is provided. It also links to the main Office of Congressional
Relations site [http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/aboutus/congress/OCR.htm].
Forms, Fees, and Fingerprints
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/formsfee/index.htm]
This Web site has electronic copies of numerous forms with detailed instructions
as well as information on fees and applicant fingerprinting services.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] on Immigration
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/faqs.htm]
Answers to frequently asked questions ranging from “What’s a green card?” to
“What type of a visa do I need?” are listed alphabetically by subject.
Laws, Regulations, and Guides
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/lawsregs/index.htm]
Provides information on laws, regulations, interpretations on immigration law, and
how laws and regulations are developed
Media and Public Affairs Information Headings
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/presinfo.htm]
Information is listed alphabetically by subject (admissions,
citizenship/naturalization, benefits eligibility, enforcement, 245i, LIFE, etc.) or
chronologically.
Restructuring and Transition
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/aboutus/restruct/index.htm]
Background information on the proposal to restructure the INS announced by the
DOJ on November 14, 2001, and discussed by the Attorney General and INS
Commissioner. This Web site has the text of the INS Fact Sheet, the full INS
Restructuring Plan, and related information on Homeland Security.

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SEVP–Student Exchange Visitor Program
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/services/tempbenefits/sevp.htm]
This program was formerly known as the Coordinated Interagency Partnership
Regulating International Students (CIPRIS). This Web site has information on the SEVP
system, which allows electronic data collection via the Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS) and reporting on nonimmigrant students/visitors and
exchange student/visitors (F, M, and J visa categories), which will help the INS better
monitor school and exchange programs.
Statistics for Immigration to the United States, 1994-2002
[http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/shared/aboutus/statistics/index.htm]
Access is provided to statistical data from the publication, Statistical Yearbook of
the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and from other data systems.
Bureau of Border Security (BBS) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Directorate of Border and Transportation Security (BTS)
[http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0089.xml]
Information on the BTIS and how the enforcement functions of INS were transferred,
along with other federal agencies. Included is a link to the Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) at [http://www.bice.immigration.gov/graphics/index.htm ]. With the March
1, 2003, transfer of INS immigration interior enforcement responsibilities into the DHS, the
new Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was created.
Library of Congress, American Memory, and THOMAS
[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/features/immig/alt/introduction.html]
This Web site is maintained by the Library of Congress and contains historical
information on immigration to the United States from the Library’s collections. Information
on immigration bills can be located on THOMAS, the Library’s legislative Web site, at
[http://thomas.loc.gov]. Click on “Bill Summary and Status” to search the 108th and past
Congresses (93rd through 107th).
U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign-Born Population Statistics
[http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/foreign.html]
It has data on the characteristics of the foreign-born population, including legal
immigrants, undocumented immigrants, and temporary residents, such as students and workers
on business visas.
U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform
[http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/uscir]
The Commission was created by the Immigration Act of 1990 and dissolved in December
1997. Its reports are available at this Web site maintained by the Lyndon B. Johnson School
of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
[http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic]
The Web site of the DHS with links to all its 22 agencies. Information on immigration
benefits and border management is accessed via the borders and immigration links located at
[http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home4.jsp].

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U.S. Department of State
[http://www.state.gov/interntl]
This Web site has information on some immigration topics such as visas, refugees, and
cultural and educational exchanges.
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM)
[http://www.state.gov/g/prm]
This Web site provides information on the refugee population worldwide and
policies regarding assistance and admission to the United States. The PRM has primary
responsibility for formulating policies on population, refugees, and migration.
Bureau of Consular Affairs K and V Visas
[http://travel.state.gov/vvisas/index.html]
This Web site has information on the new K and V visas, the categories of
nonimmigrant visas created by the LIFE Act. Included is information on where to
apply and application forms.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
[http://exchanges.state.gov/education]
This site has information on the Au Pair program and cultural and educational
exchanges like the J Visa Exchange Program.
Visa Services
[http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html]
This Web site provides links to the Diversity Visa (DV)-2004 Lottery (a.k.a. (Green
Card Lottery) and other types of visa (immigrant and non-immigrant) information.
Legal Web Sites
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
[http://www.aila.org]
This is the Web site of the national bar association of attorneys practicing immigration
law. It provides the latest news on immigration legislation and AILA publications.
Cornell University Immigration Law
[http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/immigration.html]
This Web site provides an overview of immigration law and offers access to federal and
international legal materials as well as links to “Key Internet Sources.”
Immigration Web Portal
[http://www.ilw.com]
This Web site has information for immigration lawyers and for those seeking assistance
with immigration casework. It also provides access to Immigration Daily news at
[http://www.ilw.com/lawyers/immigdaily].

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National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
[http://www.nilc.org]
This is the Web site for an advocacy group assisting low-income immigrants and their
families with legal questions on employment, public benefits, etc. Included are links to NILC
publications.
Organizations’ Web Sites
Americans for Better Immigration (ABI)
[http://www.betterimmigration.org]
A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization which lobbies Congress for reductions in
immigration numbers. The ABI maintains “immigration report cards” grading federal
politicians on their immigration actions (by member name and by state) and provides a Web
link to the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus.
Center for Immigration Studies (CIS)
[http://www.cis.org]
Founded in 1985, the CIS is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization
devoted exclusively to analyzing the “economic, social, demographic, fiscal, and other impacts
of immigration on the United States.” Included are CIS publications, current news articles,
and current information on common immigration topics such as citizenship, legal/illegal
immigration, refugee/asylum issues, wages, and poverty.
FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform)
[http://www.fairus.org]
FAIR is “a national, non-profit, public interest organization of concerned citizens who
share a common belief that the unforeseen mass immigration that has occurred over the last
30 years should not continue.” Included are links to its publications, testimony before
Congress, current issues and legislation, U.S. immigration history, and statistical data, and it
provides links to similar conservative organizations.
Georgetown University, Institute for the Study of International Migration
[http://www.georgetown.edu/sfs/programs/isim/publications.htm]
The Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) is part of the Edmund A.
Walsh School of Foreign Service affiliated with the Law Center at Georgetown University.
The ISIM studies issues raised by international migration, including immigration to the United
States and its social and legal impact. A publications list is provided.
Immigration Superhighway
[http://www.immigration-usa.com/i_suphwy.html]
This Web site has information on and links to the Immigration Nationality Act,
immigration forms, advocacy groups, and news articles on current immigration topics.

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Migration Policy Institute (MPI)
[http://www.migrationpolicy.org]
Found in 1989, the MPI originated from the Carnegie Endowment’s International
Migration Policy Program “to analyze the movement of people worldwide.” On May 22,
2002, the Migration Information Source at [http://www.migrationinformation.org] was
launched by the MPI to provide current data and analysis on migration and refugee issues.
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR)
[http://www.nnirr.org]
This Web site is a forum for “a national organization of local coalitions and immigrant,
refugee, community, religious, civil rights, labor organizations and activists.” Included are
links to NNIRR’s bimonthly newsletter, current issues, and resources.
National Visa Services
[http://www.nationalvisaservice.com/index.asp]
Founded in 1994, this self-proclaimed “Gateway to America” provides information on
applying for the latest diversity lottery to obtain a green card.
RAND’s Center for Research on Immigration Policy (CRIP)
[http://www.rand.org/education/crip.html]
Established in 1988 by RAND, one of the first “think tanks” in the United States, CRIP
conducts analytical research and policy analysis on the integration of immigrants in the United
States, access to public services by immigrants, the education of immigrants and their children,
and links between immigration and national security issues. A link to a bibliography of CRIP
publications in provided.
Urban Institute’s Population Studies
[http://www.urban.org/centers/psissue.html]
The Urban Institute is a nonpartisan economic and social policy research organization.
Its Population Studies Research Center analyzes issues related to immigration such as
immigrant health, economic status, undocumented aliens in the criminal justice system, and
other topics. A listing of current Population Studies publications on various immigration
issues can be accessed by clicking on “Reports/Books” or by going directly to
[http://www.urban.org/centers/pspubs.html].

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