The United States is a nation of immigrants, who created a Mecca for individuals seeking economic improvement and freedom from political oppression. From the country's earliest days, however, the children of immigrants who had established citizenship frequently viewed new immigration as a threat to their livelihoods and way of life. This struggle between the interests of current citizens and newcomers is embodied in the U.S. immigration laws.

 

Even the framers of the U.S. Constitution, in Article I of that document, incorporated restrictions on elected officials in the fledgling nation by requiring at least seven years' citizenship for members of the House of Representatives, and at least nine for Senators -- who, at the time, were responsible for selecting the president. And only those born within our borders, of course, can become chief executive.

 

That startup country evolved into the wealthiest, most powerful and brightest beacon of representative government on earth, and continues to attract immigrants from around the world. U.S. immigration laws draw the public-policy spotlight more than ever, and are the subject of ongoing debate. Fortunately, information about these laws and the policies underlying them is abundant on the Internet.

 

INS Arrives Online
First among immigration law Web sites is The INS Online, the electronic arm of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The INS, an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, initially was slow among U.S. government entities to establish a strong Web presence. The agency, however, has evolved into a proficient provider of online information and services. At The INS Online, attorneys can obtain the latest immigration news and regulations, and can print forms to speed their clients' movement through the system.

 

INS forms are available in Portable Document Format (PDF), and their use requires Adobe's free PDF reader. The site's index of forms contains a conveniently arranged list, including form numbers in alphanumeric order, accompanied by the form title, fee and filing location. The site currently does not have interactive electronic filing capabilities; after a form is printed and completed, it must be mailed to the appropriate office.

 

INS addresses, telephone numbers and office hours are handily provided both in an alphabetical state-by-state list and by way of a clickable U.S. map. That pragmatic focus continues with Green Card and its online application form; fingerprinting requirements; addresses and directions to INS Application Support Centers; Immigration Services and Benefits; and links to a host of topics -- from permanent residency to NAFTA considerations.

 

Other important information can be found in Laws, Regulations and Guides, where the myriad links include Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Aliens and Nationality) and INS Legal Interpretations. In addition, the Board of Immigration Appeals page has an impressive Statistics page with current and past immigration data.

 

The INS Online takes one final, helpful step in offering a "How do I…?" service that could well serve as a model for all government agencies. This service is invaluable to users who need guidance in navigating the site.

 

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