Immigration security

ACLU attorney details past and present U.S. immigration policy

Today, the U.S. has more immigrants than any other country in the world, according to the Pew Research Center. That includes more than 11 million people nationwide. Most of them, 29 million, are here legally as naturalized U.S. citizens or permanent or temporary residents.

Many of the 11 million immigrants who are here without authorization came into the country lawfully but have overstayed their travel visa, which is not a criminal offense, Herat said. The Seattle-based lawyer told the crowd the majority of those who have not left the country when they were supposed to are Canadian.

“It’s no coincidence they’re not the ones being targeted,” she said.

Herat explained immigrants can’t simply sign up or stand in line to get legal status or become citizens. It’s a complicated and costly process that can take decades.

The U.S. already has strict caps on the number of immigrants allowed to come into the country lawfully and where they’re from makes a difference.