What laws does the United States currently have in place to control immigration?

Question

Also, What immigrant groups are most affected by these laws?

Answer 1

It's a crime to enter the USA illegally, punishable by a short prison sentence and a $5,000 fine. It is a federal felony to aid and abet illegal immigration. There are hundreds of state laws against illegal aliens.

Restoring the Rule of Law: Eliminating Sanctuary Cities
by Sen. Norm Coleman 08/27/2007

Increasingly it seems Americans in different parts of the country have opened their morning newspaper or turned on the TV and learned about an act of violence carried out by someone who is living in this country illegally. Alarmingly, many of these individuals have had previous contact with local law enforcement officials. Such is the case in Newark, New Jersey, where recently three innocent young people were tragically murdered. In the aftermath of this tragedy, we learned that one of the suspects -- an illegal immigrant -- was previously arrested on multiple occasions and, rather than being deported, was set free only to victimize again.

The situation in Newark didn’t happen in a vacuum. It isn’t new, nor is it relegated to just this one community. An alarming number of cities and towns throughout this nation have similar sanctuary policies on the books -- including both Minneapolis and St. Paul in my home state of Minnesota. In these cities, local law enforcement officials are barred from so much as inquiring about a suspect’s immigration status and passing along their concerns to federal authorities for follow up action. The rationale for this practice is as antiquated as the practice itself. Yes, it is important to maintain good relations between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, but we must not hide behind that as an excuse for letting lawbreakers off the hook. In a post 9/11 world, the evidence has shown the consequences of sanctuary city policies can reach beyond just one community. Take for example Mohammed Atta, leader of the 9/11 hijackers. In 2001, he was stopped and ticketed for driving without a license in Florida. His visa was expired and yet he was simply allowed to continue on his way.

So why are cities allowed to place a gag order on their law enforcement officers? It’s simple: by exploiting a loophole in Sec. 642 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. While the law requires cooperation with federal officials on immigration matters, sanctuary cities get around it by employing a "don’t ask, don’t tell" strategy, with sometimes devastating consequences.

Answer 2

Tons of them. But a law is no good if it isn't enforced. Right now it seems the people affected the most are those that abided by the law and the citizens. They abided by the law and we are being invaded the most by those who don't. So their lives are being effected the most. Even though they want to make the law breakers look like the victims.

Answer 3

Immigration Law which is federal administrative agency law. You can read Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) which is the core of US Immigration law at USCIS website.

Answer 4

Plenty of laws. I guess the immigrant groups who want 'rights' for illegals.

Answer 5

All the answers are in the USCIS webpage; they are written not enforced.
It doesn't make distinctions among etnicities, races, cultures, so we could say that if affects everybody the same way, but mostly citizens who trust the government to enforce the laws

Answer 6

U.S. immigration laws are a fortress against illegal immigration. Written words are just written words however for those determined to come illegally.

Answer 7

Plenty of laws, lax enforcement