What are the limits on an immigrant's rights?

In California, immigrants are subject to the same laws as citizens, but there are certain limits on their rights. For example, immigrants are not allowed to vote in most elections and they cannot hold political office. Immigrants also may not possess firearms, but they may still defend themselves with reasonable force in self-defense. Further, some states have laws prohibiting immigrants from collecting public benefits like welfare, unemployment, or food stamps. Additionally, any presence in the U.S. without valid authorization is a civil offense, punishable by deportation. Immigration law prohibits unlawful entry into the country, and this includes people who enter the country without visas or other documents. Even those who enter with valid documents may infringe on their visa expired and be subject to deportation. Immigrants may not be the target of unfair workplace practices, but they do not have the same job protections as U.S. citizens. Employers who wish to hire immigrants must comply with certain regulations and may be subject to fines or punishment if they engage in illegal practices. Finally, immigrants who are victims of certain crimes may be eligible for certain immigration benefits such as U or T visas. However, the application process is tedious and must be conducted properly to ensure the immigrant is eligible for the visa.

THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.

Los inmigrantes deben entender los límites en sus derechos. La ley de inmigración varía entre estados, y en California hay algunas restricciones. Los inmigrantes no tienen derechos legales al voto, a beneficios de seguridad social, a programas de asistencia médica a bajo costo o a beneficios de subsidios federales. Los inmigrantes indocumentados no pueden solicitar un permiso de trabajo y no tienen el derecho legal a trabajar en los Estados Unidos. Aun así, los inmigrantes indocumentados deben ser tratados con dignidad y respeto en el marco de la ley. La discriminación racial, étnica o de otro tipo es ilegal en California. Los bebés nacidos en los Estados Unidos de padres inmigrantes tienen derecho a la ciudadanía estadounidense. Si un inmigrante es acusado de un delito, tiene derecho a un abogado, a un juicio justo y a defenderse contra cualquier carga. Sin embargo, la ley de inmigración puede poner límites a la cantidad de tiempo que un inmigrante puede permanecer en los Estados Unidos. Estos límites incluyen limitaciones basadas en el estatus de residencia, el tipo de documentación de la que dispone el inmigrante y la cantidad de veces que han salido y vuelto al país.

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What are the limits on an immigrant's rights?

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