Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports On Immigration

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), a federal legislative branch agency located within the Library of Congress, serves as shared staff exclusively to congressional committees and Members of Congress. CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process — from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.

CRS approaches complex topics from a variety of perspectives and examines all sides of an issue. Staff members analyze current policies and present the impact of proposed policy alternatives. CRS services come in many forms:

  • Reports on major policy issues.
  • Tailored confidential memoranda, briefings, and consultations.
  • Seminars and workshops.
  • Expert congressional testimony.

With public policy issues growing more complex, the need for insightful and comprehensive analysis has become vital. Congress relies on CRS to marshal interdisciplinary resources, encourage critical thinking and create innovative frameworks to help legislators form sound policies, reach decisions on a host of difficult issues and address their constituents’ concerns and needs. These decisions will guide and shape the nation today and for generations to come.

(Taken from https://crsreports.congress.gov/Home/About)

Alien Legalization and Adjustment of Status: A Primer (PDF)

Border Searches under the Fourth Amendment (PDF)

Border Security: Apprehensions of “Other than Mexican” Aliens (PDF)

Border Security: Barriers Along the U.S. International Border (PDF)

Border Security: Inspections, Practices, Policies, and Issues (PDF)

Border Security: Key Agencies and Their Missions (PDF)

Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol (PDF)

Civilian Patrols Along the Border: Legal and Policy Issues (PDF)

Consular Identification Cards (PDF)

Convention Against Torture: U.S. Implementation Policy Concerning Removal (PDF)

Cost Estimates of Unauthorized (Illegal) Immigration (PDF)

Criminalizing Unlawful Presence: Selected Issues (PDF)

Enforcing Immigration Law: Role of Local and State Law Enforcement (PDF)

Expedited Citizenship Through Military Service: Policy and Issues (PDF)

Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force (PDF)

Foreign Investor Visas: Policies and Issues (PDF)

Foreign Medical Graduates: A Brief Overview of the J-1 Visa Waiver Program (PDF)

Foreign Students in the United States: Policies and Legislation (PDF)

H-1B Visas (PDF) —–MISSING LINK

Health Care for Noncitizens in Immigration Detention (PDF)

Immigration: A Guide to Internet Resources (PDF)

Immigration: Analysis of the Major Provisions of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (PDF)

Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity (PDF)

Immigration Enforcement Within the United States (PDF)

Immigration Fraud: Policies, Investigations, and Issues (PDF)

Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 109th Congress (PDF)

Immigration Litigation Reform (PDF)

Immigration of Agricultural Guest Workers: Policy, Trends, and Legislative Issues (PDF)

Immigration of Foreign Workers: Labor Market Tests and Protections (PDF)

Immigration Policy on Expedited Removal (PDF)

Immigration Reform: Brief Synthesis of Issue (PDF)

Immigration-Related Border Security Legislation in the 109th Congress (PDF)

Immigration-Related Detention: Current Legislative Issues (PDF)

Immigration-Related Document Fraud: Overview of Civil, Criminal, and Immigration Consequences (PDF)

Immigration-Related Worksite Enforcement: Performance Measures (PDF)

Immigration Statistics on the Web (PDF)

Immigration: Terrorist Grounds for Exclusion and Removal of Aliens (PDF)

Immigration Visa Issuances and Grounds for Exclusion: Policy and Trends (PDF)

Intra-company Transfers (L Visa): Issues and Legislation (PDF)

Labor Practices in the Meat Packing and Poultry Processing Industry (PDF)

Legal Ethics in Immigration Matters: Legal Representation and Unauthorized Practice of Law(PDF)

Medicaid Citizenship Documentation (PDF)

Noncitizen Eligibility and Verification Issues in the Health Care Reform Legislation (PDF)

Nonimmigrant Overstays: Brief Synthesis of the Issue (PDF)

Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs (PDF)

S Visas for Criminal and Terrorist Informants (PDF)

Social Security Benefits for Noncitizens: Current Policy and Legislation (PDF)

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) (PDF)

Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues (PDF)

The REAL ID Act of 2005: Legal, Regulatory, and Implementation Issues (PDF)

The MS-13 and 18th Street Gangs: Emerging Transnational Gang Threats? (PDF)

Toward More Effective Immigration Policies (PDF)

Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress (PDF)

Unauthorized Alien Students, Higher Eduaction, and In-State Tuition Rates: A Legal Analysis(PDF)

Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and “DREAM Act” Legislation (PDF)

Unaccompanied Alien Children: Policies and Issues (PDF)

U.S. Citizenship of Persons Born in the United States to Alien Parents (PDF)

U.S. Immigration Policy on Asylum Seekers (PDF)

U.S. Immigration Policy on Haitian Migrants (PDF)

U.S. Immigration Policy on Permanent Admissions (PDF)

U.S. Visit Program (PDF)

Violence Against Women Act (PDF)

Visa Issuances: Policy, Issues, and Legislation (PDF)

Visa Security Policy: Roles of the Departments of State and Homeland Security (PDF)

Visa Waiver Program (PDF)