The ABC’s of ID for immigrants in the U.S.

NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
o f
S TAT E
L E G I S L ATURES

By Katherine Gigliotti and Ann Morse
Introduction

The federal government controls the terms and conditions for the foreign-born to become permanent or
temporary residents of the United States. Under the nation’s complex immigration laws, the Department
of State issues visas for permanent immigrants, nonimmigrants (i.e., temporary immigrants) and other
immigrant categories, from ambassadors to victims of trafficking. There are 79 categories and subcategories
for temporary visas alone. The length of stay in the United States, which depends on the type of visa
issued, can vary from a few days for visitors; up to 10 years for diplomats, foreign media, or students; and
permanent, for those who are joining family or filling specialized jobs. At ports of entry, the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) verifies the identity of visa holders against one or more databases, checking
for terrorist or criminal activity. DHS also enforces immigration law by preventing illegal entry at
borders and airports, deporting violators, and monitoring compliance with visa terms.
States issue driver’s licenses under the constitutional authority of the Tenth Amendment; the first driver’s
license laws were enacted in Massachusetts and Missouri in 1903. States and the District of Columbia
license more than 191 million drivers.
After the September 11 terrorist attacks, both the federal and state governments acted to strengthen the
integrity of identity systems (documents, databases, issuance and enforcement). The 19 terrorists identified
in these attacks had entered the United States legally with valid passports and on temporary visas, and
many subsequently were able to obtain state driver’s licenses. In response, the federal government reformed
the student visa process, launched an entry-exit system for noncitizens who enter the United States, and
began integrating various databases to connect criminal and terrorist lookout capability.
States also responded to the need to improve ID security. States reformed processes related to issuance…

This is a good, if somewhat dated basic information package. Read the rest here.