In today’s world, a key subject for the media across the United States is immigration, its effects, and the controversies surrounding it. However, an area often less focused on is how one actually immigrates to this country, and it is incredibly complex. With over 47 million immigrants living in the United States as of 2023, the US offers a variety of pathways to gain entry, which differ between every group of people.

The means by which one can enter and live in the US are numerous, but they can be organized into two main categories: temporary and permanent.

Temporary immigrants are people who come to the US for a limited amount of time, who may, during that time, attempt to become permanent residents or leave when their time expires. Depending on their reason for coming, they may need to apply for a visa, or may be allowed in without one.

Permanent immigrants are people who come to the US with the intention of staying long-term. Similar to temporary immigration, depending on their reason for coming, one may need to apply for a visa, or may be allowed in without one. However, simply immigrating on a permanent visa classification does not automatically guarantee that one can remain in the country forever. Usually, one must apply for a green card. The time to obtain one varies, but once acquired, it allows a person to stay indefinitely. Even after one has a green card, though, they still must apply for citizenship to gain all rights and privileges allotted to the general American public, like the right to vote in federal elections. The entire process can take years, and even decades, to become a full American citizen, and the current political landscape also has a heavy influence on the ease of the process.

The complex process of immigration is not always easy to understand; however, it is the means by which millions of Americans and many Hornets over the years have become just that: Americans.