CJ442 - Immigration Law and Procedures
Criminal Justice
Chris Harding, F.L.E.T.C., B.A., A.S. E-Mail - Vita
INTRODUCTION
Immigration law is a complex issue dealing with a wide variety of variables. Virtually every society has had immigration issues to deal with. Enacted laws are challenged and questioned everyday in the United States. Issues regarding the authority and execution of these laws are indeed a hot issue today. Several lobby groups on both sides of the debate are constantly airing their disgust at either the harshness or complacency of our immigration policy. Regardless of an individual’s opinion towards the immigration policies of the United States, one has an obligation to learn the facts before they engage in any serious debate. This course will indeed teach you the facts of our past and present immigration policy. It will be both useful to present and inspiring law enforcement officers, advocates and opponents to our immigration policies, and even prospective and new immigrants to the United States. My goal is to provide you with the most honest and comprehensive guide to our complex and ever changing Immigration laws.
INSTRUCTOR BACKGROUND
I have been in federal law enforcement for the last 10 years, most of which were directly involved with the enforcement of our Immigration Laws as a US Border Patrol Agent and Criminal Investigator. As I advanced through my career, I became an Immigration Law Instructor for new recruits at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT
You have many avenues of access to the course instructor. You may contact me anytime you have questions, would like clarification, etc. Your interaction with the instructor is one-on-one and this is highly beneficial as you proceed through the course. I am here to make sure you succeed in this course.
United States Immigration Law by Jeffery A. Helewitz. ISBN #: 0929563468
You are required to purchase this text on your own. It can easily be purchased directly from Amazon or your book store. We will also be using materials and research papers available on the web. The papers we read should encourage positive thought on these topics.
STUDY QUESTIONS
End of chapter questions will be answered and posted to the Message Board upon completion of the set of assigned chapters. These questions are designed to guide the participant through the reading material and provide a deeper understanding of the text.
Grading expectations for Chapter Questions (SQs) are as follows:
For an "A" grade or 25 points on the SQ the response must meet all of the following criteria. The student:
Responds to all parts of the question correctly and;
Uses correct grammar and structure;
Applies the material and response to personal practice when applicable;
Critically evaluates the material presented on the basis of accuracy, position, and impact upon criminal justice in a concise yet persuasive manner; and,
Addresses any follow up questions or comments provided by their instructor
For a "B" grade or 20 points on the SQ the response must meet all of the following criteria. The student:
Responds to all parts of the question correctly and thoroughly;
Uses correct grammar and;
Applies the material and response to personal practice when applicable; and,
Addresses any follow up questions or comments provided by their instructor.
For a "C" grade or 15 points on the SQ the response must meet all of the following criteria. The student:
Responds to all parts of the question correctly and thoroughly, and
Uses correct grammar and structure.
For a "D" grade or 10 points on the SQ the response must meet all of the following criteria. The student:
Responds to all parts of the question correctly.
SUBMITTING EXAMS
Examinations will be taken and submitted to the instructor via online system. The link to the exam may be found in the electronic class-room. Prior approval must be obtained to access each exam. Please contact the instructor to obtain the necessary security access.
GETTING STARTED
As soon as you receive your textbook, you may begin your course of study. Below is the syllabus with reading assignments. You must submit the assignment by the following Saturday night. The course is designed to be completed within 8 weeks, but you may complete it sooner if you prefer.
ON-LINE FORUM BOARD
Canyon College has provided an on-line forum board for the participants of this course. The forum board is a vehicle whereby the instructor can post news, current events, new findings related to the study content, etc. All currently enrolled students may at any time post to the forum board. This includes questions or information related to the course and the course content. Once enrolled, you will receive directions for accessing and using the forum board.
GRADING
You will be assigned a final grade for the completion of the elective course. Each group of chapter questions will be worth a maximum of 5 points. There will be two quizzes worth 25 points each . The midterm and final are worth 50 points each, and a final research paper will be worth 25 points.
FINAL RESEARCH ESSAY
You will select either a group concerned with regulating US Immigration Policy more strictly, or one which opposes the current harsh Immigration Policies which they believe we currently have. You will then describe the group’s concerns and goals. I want you to provide concrete methods the group uses to accomplish those goals. I expect to read some of your opinion in this essay. At this level in the course you have a substantial level of knowledge that you can draw upon to back your opinion. I want you to apply case law and provide a convincing argument one way or another. Be sure to include a URL address of the group. Your essay should be roughly 3-5 pages long and of high quality work.
Total Points:
8 sets of end of chapter questions- 40 pts
2 quizzes- 50 pts
Midterm Exam- 50 pts
Final Exam- 50 pts
Final Essay Paper- 25
Total Available Points- 215 points
Your grade will be a percentage of earned points versus total points.
100% to 90% earns a grade of A
89% to 80% earns a grade of B
79% to 70% earns a grade of C
69% to 65% earns a grade of D
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be proficient at the following:
Understand the history of Immigration Law
Differentiate between the terms citizenship and nationality
Understand the different types of immigrant categories
Understand the different types of non-immigrant categories
Understand the US policies towards admission into the US
Understand the term removal/exclusion of immigrants prior to entry
Understand the term removal/deportation of immigrants after entry
Understand the term and use of refugee/asylum status
Week One
*Read Chapter 1
This chapter explains the history of US Immigration policy. It will begin to date the restrictive policies that were implemented in post colonial America. It stretches from the beginning of the colonial laws to recent IMMACT 96 laws. You will also be introduced to the several federal entities which are involved in Immigration.
*Answer end of chapter questions and post to forum board.
Week Two
*Read Chapter 2
This chapter will build the building blocks from which we can begin our studies. It sets up parameters to describe and define the terms citizenship and nationality.
*Answer end of chapter questions and post to forum board.
*Review study guide on assignment board.
*Take Quiz 1 (Chapters 1 and 2).
Week Three
*Read Chapter 3
Now that we can identify who exactly is not a US citizen or national, we can explore the different classifications of immigrants. You will learn the methods that these people can obtain visas or other entry documents and the methodology that the US Government uses to distribute them.
*Answer end of chapter questions and post to forum board.
*Choose a group for your essay paper.
Week Four
*Read Chapter 4
This chapter identifies the largest group of people who are issued visas, non-immigrants. We will identify the 19 categories of non-immigrants and the documents and visas they are issued.
*Answer end of chapter questions and post to forum board.
We will identify the procedures required for obtaining an immigrant or non-immigrant visa. We will also learn the steps needed to adjust status from that of non-immigrant to immigrant status.
*Answer end of chapter questions and post to forum board.
Week Six
*Read Chapter 6
Here we will learn about the term exclusion which after 1996 has been merged with the term deportation to removal. As you will read, there are several grounds for which a foreign person can be removed assuming they have not yet meet the legal definition of entry. We will examine these grounds in turn, and some of the rights the accused have to challenge the removal.
*Answer end of chapter questions and post to forum board.
*Review study guide on assignment board.
*Take Quiz 2 (Chapter 5 and 6).
Week Seven
*Read Chapter 7
The prior chapter explained what happens when someone has not met the requirements of an entry. Now we will study the legal aspects of those persons who have met the definition of an entry. For those who are presently in the US without valid US Immigration documentation, we will learn about deportation which after 1996 became removal. There is an important fact to bear in mind when you read this chapter. These procedures are not legally considered criminal in nature. This legal clarification is important in determining the rights of the accused.
*Answer end of chapter questions and post to forum board.
Week Eight
*Read Chapter 8
This final chapter discusses what is meant by refugee status and applying for asylum. We will identify the Refugee Act of 1980 and what conditions must be met for a non-immigrant to qualify as a refugee.
*Answer end of chapter questions and post to forum board.
