Immigrants, Experiences of

Dina Birman

Immigrant is a term used to describe foreign nationals who enter a country for purposes of permanent resettlement. They are distinguished from persons who may cross national borders temporarily, such as for purposes of enrolling in educational institutions or temporary employment but with the intent of returning to their homeland permanently. An immigrant may arrive legally, holding a specific visa for immigration, may decide to remain in a foreign country permanently after having spent some time there as a tourist, student, or guest worker, or may arrive without legal documents. In the United States, the legal definition of immigrant or permanent resident alien is used by the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, formerly INS) to refer only to lawful permanent residents; however the term is commonly used to refer to any foreign nationals crossing borders for purposes of permanent resettlement. There is no general agreement as to whether the ...

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