Contents: (1) Overview; (2) Current Law and Policy; Worldwide Immigration Levels; Per-Country Ceilings; Other Permanent Immigration Categories; (3) Admissions Trends: Immigration Patterns, 1900-2008; FY 2008 Admissions; (4) Backlogs and Waiting Times: Visa Processing Dates: Family-Based Visa Priority Dates; Employment-Based Visa Retrogression; Petition Processing Backlogs; (5) Issues and Options in the 111th Congress: Effects of Current Economic Conditions on Legal Immigration; Family-Based Preferences; Permanent Partners; Point System; Immigration Commission; Interaction with Legalization Options; Lifting Per-Country Ceilings. Charts and tables.

Provides pragmatic advice on the nonimmigrant work authorization, including: specialty occupations (H-1Bs); intra-company transfers from abroad (L-1); treaty traders/investors (E-1 and E-2) and more.

Comprehensive, authoritative reference with chapters on 23 major federal programs, and tables outlining who is eligible for which state replacement programs. Overview chapter and tables explain changes to immigrant eligibility enacted by 1996 welfare and immigration laws. Text describes immigration statuses, gives pictures of typical immigration documents, with keys to understanding the INS codes. Glossary defines over 250 immigration and public benefit terms.

"Essentials of Immigration Law by Richard A. Boswell provides the foundation necessary for an understanding of everything immigration-from the passage of the first immigration-related statute to the current state of affairs. This indispensable reference, now in its third edition, offers a practical overview of the entire area of U.S. immigration law and will help you comprehend: Labor Certification Consular Processing Citizenship/Naturalization Deportation/Removal/Inadmissibility Waivers Asylum Criminal Violations Family-Based Immigration Employment-Based Immigration Administrative/Judicial Review."--Publisher's website.