Full Citation
Title: Women and Current U.S. Immigration Policies
Citation Type: Miscellaneous
Publication Year: 2012
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Abstract: In 2010, there were over 101,000 more adult immigrant women than immigrant men entering in the United States with a legal immigration status or adjusting their status while in the U.S. to become lawful permanent residents.[1] In this fact sheet, we discuss the policies that that govern whether, and how, women may enter the country or adjust their status once here as well as those that shape what immigrant womens lives are like once here.Historically, immigration laws regarding women were based in the law of coverture, which was derived from English common law. Under this law, a wife had no legal identity of her own; it was derived from her husband. Immigration law traditionally viewed womens immigration status as derivative of her husbands status. Thankfully, we have moved beyond those days. However, there are still ways in which immigrant womens status as women shapes how policies relate to them.Currently, the Immigration and Naturalization Act governs who can and cannot immigrate legally to this country. Based on this act, the primary means of entry into the country are through family sponsorship, employment, or if one is an asylees or refugee. While the act does not specify different requirements for men and women, women tend to be more numerous in the family-related categories. [2]
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Pearce, Susan C.; Clifford, Elizabeth J.
Publisher: Sociologists for Women in Society
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Gender, Migration and Immigration
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