Middle School
Worksheets
From Immigrant to Citizen
"Welcome to America!" These are words that have filled the hearts of many immigrants with hope and joy. There are certain rules that people from other countries must follow before they may enter the United States, however.
Before any person travels between countries, he or she must obtain a passport. This passport is an identification document. Any person who is not a resident of the country being entered is called an alien. When an alien wants to stay for a period of time in another country, a visa must be obtained. A visa is an official stamp giving permission to enter a specific country. If a person enters a country without a passport or the necessary visa, that person is undocumented, or an illegal alien. If caught without the proper papers, an illegal alien will be sent back to the country from which he or she came.
There are two different kinds of visas. A nonimmigrant visa is given to people who are visiting a country as tourists. They may be on vacation or there for business. Normally, the alien is not allowed to get a job and work when using a nonimmigrant visa.
