Questions and Answers about Immigrants
Myths and misconceptions about immigrants abound, and with all the incendiary rhetoric it is becoming more and more difficult to sort fact from fiction. American Gateways is known as a trusted source for information about immigrants and immigration. Our staff of attorneys, accredited representatives, and legal caseworkers have an expertise and passion for immigration law that is unparralled. Working with the specturm of players involved in immigration - immigrants, law enforcement, and our immigrations courts and agencies -enables us to provide accurate information to the community.
FAQs about immigrants and immigration
Q. Why do people want to immigrate to the United States?
People come to the U.S. because conditions in their home country make it impossible for them to continue living there. Read stories of American Gateways clients in order to understand why they chose to leave their home country and to enter the U.S.
Q. Does the United States have a responsibility to grant entry to every person who wants to come here?
No. The United States must have the ability to monitor the flow of people coming to America. We do however have a tradition of welcoming those fleeing persecution and oppression. Our immigration laws are complex, and while some aspects of immigration law can seem unneccessarily harse, others allow more people than other countries to embrace citizenship.
Q. What’s wrong with the terms “illegal immigrant,” “illegal alien,” and “illegals,” anyway?
Those are inaccurate and politically-charged terms. Immigrating without documentation is a civil infraction, not a criminal one, so the more accurate term is “undocumented immigrant.” Many people enter the United States without a legal status, but immigration laws provides mechanisms where immigrants can apply for and gain legal status. We work to help immigrants get access to our legal system.
Q. Aren’t undocumented immigrants criminals?
No. Immigration laws are primarily civil laws - not criminal laws. Used appropriately, immigration law provides a pathway for immigrants to legally begin a new life in the United States. Sadly, its' complexity prohibits most from accessing our immigration process without expensive legal representation that few can afford. American Gateways helps clients navigate the intricacies of immigration law by providing self-help workshops, and in some cases legal representation by attorneys and accredited representatives. Facilitating the immigration process so that immigrants can legally enter the U.S., work, and eventually become citizens is in everyone's best interest.
Q. Why can’t immigrants get court-appointed attorneys?
The 6th and 14th amendments assure those who are accused of crimes that they have the right to have an attorney appointed if they cannot afford to hire one. However, immigration courts are not criminal courts. Unlike a criminal court in which the judge may appoint a court-appointed attorney to someone, there is no law that permits an immigration judge to appoint a free attorney for a person who is in proceedings to be deported. Often, legal representation by American Gateways is the only opportunity people have to establish legal residency and citizenship in the U.S.
Q. Don’t all the immigrants come from Mexico?
Definitely not. American Gateways has served immigrants from more than 75 countries. While many come from Mexico and Central America, we've served clients from Asia, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Refugees seeking asylum tend to come from places where government oppression is rife, such as Somalia and Eritrea. What all of American Gateways’ clients have in common, however, is a dream to begin a better life in the United States.
Q. What kind of legal needs do immigrants have in our area?
Immigrants need legal representation from American Gateways in order to establish legal residency separate and apart from someone afflicting them with violence, such as a spouse in a domestic violence case, or someone involved in human trafficking. Additionally, immigrants need legal representation in order to pursue a grant of asylum if they fled violence or oppression in their home country, or if for some reason they have been detained in an immigrant detention facility, such as Hutto. In order to reunite families and establish citizenship, legal representation is also necessary.
Q. How can we learn more about immigration law and immigrants in Central Texas?
Get involved with American Gateways. Send us an email to invite American Gateways to give a presentation to your group or meeting, or consider volunteering, becoming a pro bono attorney, or making a contribution.
