Getting Started
At CATCH, one of our goals is to educate North Dakota residents about how and why legal immigration can work in rural places.
1. What is Legal Immigration?
Legal immigration is the process of individuals from other countries entering and residing in the United States through authorized channels.
2. Why Rural Towns in North Dakota?
Many rural towns in North Dakota face challenges like declining populations, labor shortages, and economic stagnation. Legal immigration provides a solution by bringing skilled workers, families, and entrepreneurs who can contribute to the local economy and enrich the community.
3. The Benefits It Brings
Legal immigrants help fill gaps in essential industries like agriculture, healthcare, and construction, all vital to North Dakota’s rural economy. They also stabalize population numbers, support local schools, and contribute to cultural diversity.
4. The Immigration Process
Newcomers go through background checks, provide proof of qualifying status, employment, or family connections, and meet other eligibility requirements to help ensure they can be integrated well into their new communities.
U.S Immigration Terms
Asylee/ Refugee/ Asylum Seeker
Anyone who is unable to return to their country of origin due to fear of persecution. Refugees receive protection outside the U.S. and are resettled, while asylees seek protection upon arrival in the U.S. or while already in the country.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Grants migrants from countries deemed unsafe by the U.S government, the right to work and live in the United States for up to 18 months and can be renewed indefinitly.
Deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA)
Provides temporary deportation relief to undocumented immigrants who cam to the U.S. as children. This program no longer accepts new applicants, and can only be renewed.
Foreign Worker Visas
Allow U.S. employers to hire foreign workers. Common visas are the H1B (specialized knowledge), H2A (Agricultural work), H2B (seasonal work- not agriculture related), and H4 (Spouses and children of foreign workers) visas.
Customs and border protection (CBP)
The federal law agency responsible for enforcement at U.S borders and other common port of entry such as airports and seaports.
Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE)
Federal law enforcement responsible for internal immigration enforcement responsible for apprehending and deporting undocumented immigrants.
Humanitarian Parole
Allows noncitizens, who would otherwise be inadmissible, to reside temporarily in the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Additional terms
Didn't find what you were looking for? Find more terms here.
By educating community members, we bring understanding to legal immigration and the positive impact it has on our rural places.
They Need Us. We Need Them.
